In Buddhism, HH (which stands for His Holiness),the 14th Dalai Lama once said, "The creatures that inhabit this earth-be they human beings or animals-are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world."
I am not sure where I heard or read that, most likely in a liturgy at Temple or any one of a thousand (hyperbole) books on HH, but I think about that particular notion quite a bit. It goes along the same lines as that age-old query, "Why am I here?" I suppose, but when I think of my contributions to the world and what I can do to be a part of the sum total of beauty and prosperity, only two things ever come to mind.
One, of course, is you. Collectively.
I teach. That's something I can do because in so doing, I am afforded the opportunity to, hopefully, broaden minds and open hearts, which will in turn allow you to do the same things with whomever is lucky enough to come in contact with you as you dance through your time on Earth.
What do you do? What will you do? Do you believe in HH's idea about contribution? Does it make sense but seem impossible? Does it seem like a bunch of nonsense? What has been your greatest contribution so far? Don't say nothing or start wailing, "I'm only a teenager--I haven't done anything yet!" because that is a total cop-out. Think about all the people you have known, both superficially and deeply, and imagine how many more you have impacted in ways you might not even know yet. Maybe it's a friend, a sibling, a stranger on the street. Things that you may not even think twice about doing or saying can have an impact that changes someone's life forever. That's chilling and exhilirating and awe-inspring concept.
So, what do you think will your legacy be? And more importantly, what do you WANT it to be?
I have always been a lover of nature especially now that I have learned a lot more about how this Earth of ours turns. I have learned a lot about the individual vessels that travel on its surface (or slightly beneath it if you’re a mole or worm) and glide above it and swim around in it. With that knowledge I have gained a lot of respect for this little space craft. Not only that, but I have learned to respect every part of our world so naturally I agree with H.H. that we all have something to contribute. When it comes to deciding in what ways I have contributed I will admit it was hard to think of. I come to the conclusion that it is really hard for AP kids like us to find our own accomplishments because we are so thickly immersed in the accomplishments of others that we can’t see our own. I mean, are we really going to think about our impact on this Earth when we are studying the works great authors in our English classes, the brilliant minds in History class and the almost crazy individuals that came up with fundamental theorems of modern science and math? I know I sure don’t when learning about Abraham Lincoln and Mr. Avogadro.
ReplyDeleteHowever as I am forced to consciously think about my part in this great play, I have realized that I have contributed in many ways. Maybe during one of my band competitions I inspired a little kid in the crowd to become a musician or maybe when I held the door for someone in school, I improved their day just a little. There are infinite mediums through which we affect another. I do have to say that I have a favorite role in the much smaller world of my family. It stems between my grandfather and me. He is by far my favorite person on this Earth who has the greatest impact in shaping what I have taken as my role as an individual. My role goes like this: whenever I visit my grandparents I do my absolute best to listen to every word my grandfather says and I make sure that he knows I am listening. He is one person that I know enjoys my company and want to make sure he knows that I enjoy his. I listen to all his stories of the days in the army, owning his store in Egg Harbor City and old traditions he used to engage in. I love it. I love that he is able to look back on his life with complete pride. I believe that my role is letting him know that I too and proud of who he is, that I enjoy all of his stories and I want to hear more. Simply put I just want to talk to him forever, he’s just that important in my life. This is a really important role for me because as my older siblings have grown up and have gone their own ways, I know he misses having someone to talk to and appreciates my presence. My dad always tell me that when I visit him, it brightens his day. That to me, is the greatest role anyone could fulfill, just being someone who appreciates others and makes them feel happy and loved.
Obviously, I can’t hold this role forever because no one lives forever, not even my grandfather so in the future, I really don’t care what I end up doing. I just hope that I am happy and that with this happiness I am able to make someone else happy, even if only for a second. I don’t care if I am one of the biggest names in history or one so small only my friends and family can see it. I want my legacy to be that whatever role I am needed to play in the future, I take on and complete to the best of my ability because fundamentally, that’s the basic outline of fulfilling your dreams.
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DeleteTommi, I always love reading your posts because the stories behind them are always so beautiful. I love that fact that your grandfather is the most important person in your life, treasure that! Their stories are the best to listen to, what their childhoods were like compared to ours (it really is a shame sometimes to compare the two). But in any case this was a great response, wrapping it up by your role is to make people happy. Happiness is one of the greatest things to have and to give; everyone deserves to be happy.
DeleteTommi, I’m so happy you find such a wonderful relationship with your grandfather and that is such a unique impact to have. It’s incredible to know that even though we may see that we’re affecting the lives of others we rarely can see their direct impact on us. I think that the small accomplishments we make all contribute to a great contribution as well and think that your approach to success is one that more people need to find. I hope you get what you look for in life and I have a feeling you will! Great post
DeleteTommi, as always I loved your response. I immediately read it right after reading the prompt itself, and as I was reading, in the back of my mind I was pondering what it is that I could write about. I found it difficult to come up with anything, but after finishing your response I feel that I have a better grasp of what this blog is really asking us to do, so I thank you for that. And in regard to your writing, I was inspired by your story. I too find joy in listening to the tales of older generations, and I can just imagine how delighted your grandfather must be to be able to share his wisdom and knowledge with you. What an amazing way to contribute to someones life, I found your entire outlook on your purpose in life to be wonderful and I loved the conclusion to your response.
DeleteIts so nice that you are so close to your family and that you put a bright smile on your family because you listen to everything your grandfather says. I think that your patience and kindess makes you who you are today. I also think that, one day, you would make a great contribution because you handle things very carefully and pay attention to things that peeople think are unnecessary.
DeleteTommi, I admire you for having such a great relationship with your grandfather. My grandparents mean a lot to me too and it’s sad that I live basically 24 hours away by plane from them. I wish that I could visit them more because no one lives forever, but it can’t easily be done. It’s kind of nice to know that we might be affecting other people’s lives with simple gestures. I love your outlook in life and I do hope that you will be happy throughout your life.
DeleteTommi, I really enjoyed this post, mostly because of you listening to your grandfather. I am sad to say that I have not been able to see mine for a while, and even when I do, my mom's more worried about grilling him about menial things to the point where I might be able to get in about thirty seconds of conversation with him edgewise. It is sad because they always have the best stories and insight, and as time goes on they have less and less people to share that insight with. And I am sure that no matter what you do as an individual, and whatever role you play in life, you are going to have a great impact on those that you come into contact with, and I am certainly sure that your grandfather could not be more proud of what you are doing even right now.
DeleteYour story about your grandfather was really sweet. I really love that you just want to see him happy. You are a very good person. My own great grandma is one of my favorite people, she basically raised me. Unfortunately as she grows older it is hard for her to realize what is going on, she barely remembers me sometimes. It's quite sad but I do find comfort in knowing that at one point we were very close. I'm really happy that you and your grandfather have such a great relationship, it's a touching story.
DeleteMy perception of myself is based on what others say about me, which I think is a basis for a majority of us. To me, I see myself as a break from reality for people. I have the ability to let things go; to project myself from the weight of reality into the realms of my imagination. I can make people laugh and intrigue them with random queries and to me giving this bonhomie to stressed people is an amazing. It’s innate to my aura; my purpose if you may. I find this sense of destiny comforting and very possible. It reminds me of “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles. My imagination could take us into an octopus’s garden in the depths of the ocean. This ability o’ mine is something I want to progress with. I want to teach people to be able to deal with the reality through the imagination that they were born with; to get in touch with their younger selves and ponder without any restrictions. My expectation of my legacy still is based upon what I had mentioned in a previous blog about the nicest thing someone has said to me. When talking about my future she said “I can see you becoming famous for something one day” and I really took that to heart. I picture my legacy as a altruistic physiologist that discovers a revolutionary method of helping ourselves and dealing with the overbearing stresses that the everyday life we created as thrown upon us. Even if this doesn’t happen precisely, I’m certainly content with providing weightless conversations to people who need relief.
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DeleteDanielle, this was by far one of the best blog posts I've read this year. Your ways of looking into life through a different prospective is incredible and I love the way you find happiness and relief of stress. Luckily you've found your purpose at an early age and I believe you can discover a method one day. Keep up this beautiful spirit!
DeleteDanielle, I admire you in so many ways. Your approach to life is truly inspirational and something I aspire towards. I have been able to find joy in your carefree spirit on many occasions. Please never let go of your imaginative spirit, it is so refreshing to see that someone is able to still get in touch with their childlike mind. The way that you were able to define your purpose in life I think was spot on, and I hope for you that you are able to find this method one day and that you can spread your knowledge unto others.
DeleteDanielle, I have found that due to AP classes and the serious perspective we have to take on in dealing with our work that I am often stressed because of it. On days where we have an abundance of assignments I find it extremely hard to relax and find joy. You’re ability to find joy in all situations and give it to others is an amazing gift. I also find it interesting that you associate childhood memories with making people exceptional thinkers. I think people need to think like and would be benefited by kids’ outlook on life. You’re desired legacy is selfless and admirable and I hope that you accomplish it and find the same happiness you give others.
DeleteDanielle, I think that you will make the best out of your future job. You find the best out of everything and you love to do everything that comes across your hands. I can see you working with people who are stressed out and depressed and alliviate their pain and problems. Ever since I meet you in middle school I knew you were a free spirited person and soon help people with your kindness and young spirit.
DeleteDanielle, your imagination is certainly a fantastic distraction whenever I come to you with my troubles. I love all of the random and yet significant "what if" questions you always pose. I feel a lot of relief when I talk to you because you always seem to have this calm atmosphere about you that is hard to find in others. Your blog might have been short but I think you said more than anyone could have. This truly is your gift and it's amazing that you have found your "calling" so soon in life. Now, just by reading your post, I feel a lot more comfortable with allowing my own imagination and fantasies to help me through my problems so thank you.
DeleteDani, I smiled so hard at your Beatles references! Every time I see you, you are radiating positive vibes! I find your overall disposition to be astounding. You always appear as though you are having a great time and that puts a smile on my face. You seem like a Transcendentalist and it's just awe-inspiring. In fact, your positivity reminds me of the Beatles song, "Dear Prudence". Danielle, I wish I could possess your constant positivity. Don't let anyone rain on your parade, continue to shine like the sun you are!
DeleteI love that you make it your mission to make people happy. It takes a truly selfless person to be happy and make sure that others feel that way too. I also admire that you always seem to be positive because you have to be really strong not to let things get you down.
DeleteI love the way you approached this post, especially because I love your positivity. You always know how to make people feel better and I could never imagine you trying to make anyone feel bad about themselves. We need more optimism in our lives and your great outlook on life is definitely admirable.
DeleteI have always loved your positivity, it brightens my day. The way you look at life makes anyone around you happier. This was a great post and I do believe you will find that way for everyone to relive stress and if you can find that relatively soon, it'd help quite a bit. Great post, and nice beatles reference there bro
DeleteWhenever I talk to you, you input just fills me with joy, and I can't help but laugh because you have such a fantastic sense of humor. I know for a fact that no matter what you end up doing in your life, you'll always spread joy. And for some odd reason, that gives me a nice sense of comfort and coziness.
DeleteI always justify my presence on this earth as to be someone or something that will create a positive impact on this world. I’ve always thought that everyone was born into this world for a reason unknown to us, but a reason nonetheless. As of right now, I don’t have any significant moments in which I firmly believe I have made a sufficient contribution to this always evolving world and society we have. Other than giving someone a genuine compliment, thus brightening their day, or helping someone when they’ve dropped their books in the crowded halls of Oakcrest, while everyone else just continues to walk by, nothing that I would consider “my life’s purpose” has yet to occur. And while Bunje has told us not to say that, I think it’s true. I think, as of right now, I’m building up for that “life’s purpose.”
ReplyDeleteWhat many of you might be surprised to know is that in the future, I wish to become a successful broadcast journalist. Not one that exploits scandals and discusses whether or not Justin Biebers new song was a hit or miss, but one that discusses valuable information that can help society branch away from war, racism, and corruption. Everyday I see acts of racism through Oakcrest halls, whether they are intentional or humorous, it is still prevalent. No matter how many times I tell someone, “Stop, that isn’t true.” or “That’s so rude and ignorant of you.” they just brush aside my comments and continue with their teasing. As much as I like to think it’s because they suffer from loss of hearing, I know they hear me and just ignore me because I’m just a five foot girl meddling into their business and one of whom which they do not care for. But one day, I hope this all stops. That when I say something, people will listen and they will take into consideration what I’ve said. I want to be influential to people and I want to create a positive change in the world. Many people aspire to have these same goals as me and not many reach their goals, but I was never known to be a quitter, and I don’t intend to ever be known as one in my lifetime. As subtle as my impacts are now, such as opening a door for an old lady or just reading a book to my baby brother, I know that at least I am attempting to make a change. While my aspirations might seem ambiguous to many, there is a reason they’re called MY aspirations. One day, my little impacts will turn into big impacts that don’t just stray from one to two people at a time.
Paula, yet again another great post. Your admiration to make a change is great and your dreams of becoming a broadcast journalist is definitely you! The harsh, rude things I hear just in the hallways of a high school is a shame and to think just outside those walls the comments are even worse. To have someone like you out there making a difference in that subject is something to work towards which I agree you are making little changes each day moving towards the big purpose.
DeleteI can relate to you in that I also find it difficult to think of a definite purpose for myself. Sometimes I feel as though I haven't been given the opportunity to really make a deep impact on the world, but that cannot be true. All of us have made contributions to the world, and even though some of these contributions may seem small to us, they could be huge for someone else. But your outlook on the future in terms of what you want to accomplish is great and I can totally picture you as a broadcast journalist one day. Keep chasing your dream, I know you can make it happen. Oh, and since I didn't mention it earlier, you have impacted my life in many ways since we met a few years ago, and even if that is not what your goal in life is, I appreciate it with my whole heart :)
DeletePaula, I had no idea that you wanted to be a broadcast journalist but I think it is the perfect occupation for you! You’re so passionate for life and helping others that I think you truly will impact the lives of everyone you meet; whether it’s a trivial change or one that transforms them completely. I agree that we haven’t yet breached our most important contribution and we still have a lot to look forward to in life. You’ve got so much ahead of you and I hope you enjoy every moment of it. Great blog!
DeleteWow, I never knew you wanted to become a journalist and hope to change how the world acts and thinks. I think will change the people around you by the way you think no matter how short you are. I think that people will see your perservance about trying to change the way people think that everyone will respect you and listen to everything you say. I like how you said that even though you're to young to say that you contributed or changed something, you told us about what you would like to do and how you will achieve your dream job.
DeleteWhile you are right in that I never thought of a broadcast journalist as your future employment, I can definitely see it now. While you may think that people don't listen to you, they do. You might not be able to see it or recognize it, but you have a very strong voice and I applaud you for wanting to make it even stronger to tackle the huge issues this world faces. If anyone can do it, it is you because like you said, you never quit. I really hope as you do that you can stop this racism issue not only at Oakcrest but in the world at large. You are entirely right that ignorance is a huge issue behind racism and I know that you will find a way correct that, you go Paula!
DeletePaula, I think this a great post it is very true as of now I believe my purpose is to make someone's day a little bit better, but as you have pointed out it might be our current job but one day that might change and that will be the day we find our true purpose. I also think that becoming a journalist will do you well because you have such good intentions, and you are a great writer as this post is evidence.
DeleteI admire your willingness to make a change in the world. I’ve known that you wanted to become a broadcast journalist, but I never really knew why. It’s sad that we do hear people say such things in the hallway. It’s pretty sad that even grown men and women say such hurtful things. This is evident by the KKK that’s still present today. I hope you do reach your dreams and that you never give up on it. Well, you said you aren’t a quitter, so I don’t think you would anyway.
DeleteI have always had the desire to make a change in the world. I want to see it in a better condition than what we are living in now. Today’s society unfortunately consists of numerous apathetic individuals who drag their feet just to barely get through life. This mindset has always frightened me because I fear missing out on life and only going through the motions to the extent of being completely empty. Therefore I do agree with the HH concept in the sense that people do affect the lives of those around them. I don’t think that this is impossible because in either positive or negative ways people are going to affect the world in which they live. Yes, it takes a great deal of hard work and trials to accomplish a difference but those driven for a cause will succeed even if it’s not reflective of their original task. The other thought I have on the HH concept is that I don’t believe that is our sole purpose for being here rather just a part of it. As a Christian I believe we are to be stewards of the earth and are to see that it is taken care of. We also are here to be an encouragement to those around us and be strong and steadfast for one another. However, the most important reason I believe we are here is to glorify God. Therefore, as of now I do everything I can to ensure that these things are being accomplished and I don’t base my accomplishments on what other people say. I’ve come to find that people are just that, people. They are struggling in their own lives just as I do. So yes I can get advice from and be bettered because of them but I can’t place my worth in them because we are all imperfect. There will always be others that let me down and those that will always let me down. Therefore, I don’t place my worth in anything this world can offer only in what God thinks of me. I think that my greatest contribution is best defined in the collection of the smaller things that I have done. I’ve given an encouraging word where needed and I’ve tried to be the best friend, daughter and sibling that I can be. Whether it’s bracing the snow for an hour with my siblings or helping a distraught friend I hope others are bettered because of me. However, I am contributing everyday to what God wants by obeying and following after him. That’s what I care about contributing to most. I hope that my legacy will be of just that, a girl who may not have known many people but affected the lives of those she did for the better and followed after the one that gave everything for her.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately our world is full of people who are barely getting out of bed in the morning, it is a sad thought because as I have said if life is to be miserable whats the point? I believe that there are individuals, like you, who can change the world though it might be hard.
DeleteI know exactly what you're talking about when you see some people live in apathy because I do it to some days. But then something happens that reminds me of why I do try, why I am here, why I do care. And I think it's great that you don't base who you're trying to be one the opinions of other people.
DeleteI agree that a lot of people in this world are apathetic. My biggest pet peeve is when I see someone who just doesn't try, even in the slightest. They just hang on and hope life takes them somewhere. Everyone should put some form of effort into making this world better, because it helps everyone, including you. If everyone assumes that somebody else will make up for their own apathy, then absolutely nothing will get done.
DeleteMany people question what the meaning of life is, or if they actually have a purpose to be here. I view it in terms that even if we don't have a distinct meaning or reason, we are here and it's better to make the best of it! With that being said I agree with the H.H. fully due to the fact that I believe everyone and everything has a purpose. One day, I want to make a change for the better of our world, big or small, I want to make a difference. I want to be someone people will remember with pride and enjoyment. I want to make people proud! With that being said I am only 17 (sorry Bunje) but I do believe I have done certain things that make a positive difference. Many things I have done for anyone so far are the minor things that relate to bringing a smile to someone's face or just me brightening someone's crappy day. Now in future terms, when I say I want to make people proud I mean I want to lead people in a brighter way. My dream is to become a huge business owner one day..preferably a big time CEO but some people think that's pushing it. In any case I want to create or improve something (not sure exactly what yet) but anything that will only decrease the stress and worry-filled lives people live, or something that people will find enjoyment in for many years to come. Though I don't have my mind set to exactly what it is I'll do one day for my purpose, today I still try to make people proud. Being a teenager, making people proud is still on the top of my to do list each day. This relates mainly to me being in the gym. I make people proud when I over come mental blockages or fears of doing a skill. When I accomplish something by pushing pass the mental games my mind plays on me in the gym, I not only make my coaches proud or my mom proud, but I make myself proud. I give myself the confidence again when I go for a skill I was earlier blocked to go for because of my head. Being proud of yourself for doing something great, is a feeling sometimes I'm unable to express. I hope I can continue making myself and others proud of what I do.
ReplyDeleteI've said this probably a few times already and I will gladly say it one more time, positivity is your gift Michaela. You are one of the most bubbly people I know and I love that you try to use that characteristic not only for your own benefit but for the benefit of others who aren't so great at seeing the glass half full (like me). But as something new I feel I need to comment on, I never thought of you as the CEO type. But the more I think about it, that's probably why you should become a big CEO. You wouldn't be like the ones we always hear about making tons of money and spending it in themselves or getting involved on some sort of corruption. So I guess what I am trying to say is because you aren't the tycoon type you should become one because I think you could seriously change the stereotype the hugely successful which is certainly a contribution to society.
DeleteMichaela, I completely agree with you before this blog I have never even heard of HH's idea and I thought sense we were here we should make the best out of it because it does not make sense to make life miserable. I also think that it is a great thing that you want to make a change in the world and no matter how big or small a change from you would be good.
DeleteMichaela, please don't listen to the people telling you that you are pushing it when it comes to wanting to be a CEO. You need to kick these people to the curb. They are forgetting that this is your life, not theirs. If you follow your dreams, you could wind up being the CEO of a company that designs specialized leotards for dancers, gymnasts, and skaters. Your company's design could be the most aerodynamic design that the world has ever seen! Whatever you do, don't give up and keep your eyes fixated on the prize!
DeleteMichaela I honestly think that you could do anything you set your mind to. Because just like you get over mental blockages in the gym you can get through them in life too. If being a CEO is what you really want I'm sure you'll find some way of doing it.
DeleteYou always know how to put a smile on people's faces and I think that's one of your stingiest characteristics. Your positivity has already helped you achieve and overcome so much so don't ever think that there is a limit as to how far you will go in life. You can achieve anything to set your mind to and you have proven that multiple times. You will definitely make a huge change in the world and it will definitely be for benefit of others.
DeleteHuman existence. It is such a comprehensive topic for me because I realize we are all here but for what reason. There are those who believe in evolution, where we have evolved from monkeys, but for what, to do more with our lives than eat bananas and mate. Then there are those who believe we were made from an all-powerful being and once humans were made they sinned from the start, so is the point of being human to mess up and then fix our mistakes. No one will ever know so I think while we live we might as well make the most out of life, to do what makes us happy as long as it does not affect the happiness of others. For example there are psychopaths in the world who enjoy killing and I strongly disapprove this idea. But back to my earlier suggestion, we should do what makes us and others happy because if life is going to be miserable than what is the point of living it when one could be at peace. Personally something that makes me happy is seeing my siblings in a good mood, when they are laughing and playing. It is just one of those things that warm my heart like when I was playing baseball with my six year old brother last summer, he was getting frustrated because he couldn’t hit the ball but the look on his face when the ball connected with the bat and it went flying in the other direction was pure happiness. My brother was a mixture of good emotions and it was shown in his face, it was a delight to see. Knowing how even a little taste of happiness can make someone’s day worthwhile I will try to change myself for the better so that I can change the outcome of someone’s day and this will be my contribution. Because after all in order for one to change the world one must first change themselves. So after thinking about it HH’s idea makes sense though, it is weird to think we all have a purpose and don’t yet know what it is. I should be the person who brightens up someone’s day and not just adds to the stress of it even if I did not do anything directly to another person I did not help their situation either. In lieu of figuring out my current purpose there are just little things I can do every day even if I think it will not mean much like picking up someone’s pencil, or complementing someone on their appearance, or making a new friend. I could change ones bad day with a few words and this could be everything to someone because many go home to an abusive home physically and verbally and maybe I can help them through to the next day, which is a win in my book. After the big idea of life’s purpose entered my mind I have to think that I’ve had a profound effect on someone or more than one person. I think that the most effect I’ve had on someone is my best friend, we brought each other out of ourselves. As I've gotten to know her over the last six years we’ve become bolder and more social. Before our friendship I didn’t talk to many people we were kind of just there in the background, but that’s all changed.
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ReplyDeleteWhen I first read this blog post I was clueless of what to write about. I couldn’t think of a single thing. I know that in the future I want to contribute to this world greatly. I want to become a doctor and heal people that are sick. I want to come up with cures and not only help my patients but help their families that love them deeply. I’ve seen what sickness does to people and their families and I want to make a difference and help stop the sicknesses as much as I can. That is what I plan to contribute to this world in the future, when I am older and out of college. Right now I thought that I didn’t contribute anything to this world. I thought about my life and looked at all the little things I’ve done such as make a little kid smile, or help out the old lady next door find her dog. I feel that none of these things are worthy enough to say that they are my greatest contribution so far in my life. Many times I have looked in my mirror and thought to myself why am I even alive? Is there something more I should be doing with my life? Have I been created to fulfill some type of big plan that is eventually going to occur? Or am I just putting myself under all this unnecessary stress to maybe one day become a doctor. I never thought I had an actual purpose on this earth until yesterday, my best friend and her boyfriend broke up. It was really tough for her and she came to me for support. She talked to me about her problems and I was her shoulder to cry on. Just the fact that I was there to listen to her and give her my advice helped her tremendously. I realized that I really helped her get back on her feet again and this isn’t the first time that I’ve done this. I’ve helped many of my friends and even family members to be happy again. I just love helping people. So I think that my biggest contribution so far in my life has been helping my friends when they’re upset and listening to their problems. It’s not anything big like saving a person from jumping off a 50-story building, but this little gesture can go a long way.
ReplyDeleteI do believe in HH’s idea about contribution. I believe that everyone is put on this earth to make a difference. Some people may impact this world in a negative way or a positive way. Some people may make a big difference in this world and others may make a small difference in this world. Whether it’s something big or small it is definitely possible for everyone to contribute to this world. It doesn’t have to be something big to contribute, it could just be a simple gesture like I mentioned before.
Ever since I was little I’ve admired doctors. Especially the many doctors in my family because of all the people they help. Like you I want to become a doctor no matter what. Having a chance to find cures to stop sickness would be an immense contribution. The struggles to accomplishing that would be well worth it though.
DeleteWhen trying to figure out your future it is always stressful but we all want to find a cure for it. Just smile and believe in yourself it you will achieve your goals. "Believe and Achieve Greatness".
DeleteDiscovering your purpose in life can be a really difficult task. Perhaps you’re a rather nihilistic person who doesn’t believe you have a purpose and that life has no meaning. Doesn’t matter. Not believing that you have a purpose won’t prevent you from discovering it; all that a lack of belief will do is make it take longer for you to discover your purpose. I suppose I am in no position to disagree with HH’s idea of contribution, after giving his proposal a great deal of consideration I realize that everyone does contribute to the world in some way, although I do not necessarily concur with the statement that all of these contributions add to the “beauty and prosperity of the world”. We cannot limit contributions to simply the good that we see in the world, an unfortunate amount of happenings have very negative effects on our existence. But they are all contributions nonetheless, good or bad. Unlike many people I do not find it complicated to recognize my contributions to the world because I do not measure my actions against any particular scale of importance. It is common to perceive the man who rescued a child from a burning building higher on the contribution ladder than the man who held the door for the mother fumbling out of the grocery market. But in my mind, these two people are equal. Each one had pure intentions and acted to help another human being. So although I am merely a teenager and I have not necessarily experienced life enough in order to make an evident impact on the world, I am able to find the positivity in the “little” things I do in order to make a difference. For example, at work I come in contact with all different kinds of people, some are bubbly and willing to engage me in conversation, while others are grouchy and often times rude. A lot of times it is difficult for me not to react to the crass old woman who barks orders at me and snarls when I do not retrieve her “smokes” in a matter of seconds or the man who flings his debit card at me because there isn’t enough money left on it to pay for his unnecessary amount of junk food. But no matter how badly I want to leap across the counter and choke these people, I always make an effort to grace them with a smile and upbeat tone of voice in the hopes that maybe, just maybe I can brighten up their day and help them relinquish their nastiness. In regard to my long term plans to contribute to the world, my goal is to one day become a nurse in a children’s hospital. I love kids so much, I admire their undying optimism and free-spirits, and to me there could be nothing more rewarding then being able to serve a child ill with cancer or a child that was in a severe accident. Children are the beauty of this world in my eyes, if we could all adopt a childlike mind this world would be a much better place, and being a part of that beauty every day and being able to play a part in saving their lives would be the most amazing contribution that I could make.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know for sure what I would like my legacy to be, I can only hope that I will be remembered for my ambition and my desire to help others. Right now that may seem a bit conventional, but if I am able to improve the life of another human being in a way whatsoever then I will be satisfied with myself. I have probably been able to do this for someone in my life already without even recognizing it, by bringing a smile to the face of a friend on a bad day or being a rock for my family through the toughest of times. All I want is to be what people need me to be, I couldn’t possibly want anything more than that.
Beautifully written post B! I've known you wanted to be a nurse and I couldn't picture you as anything less. You have such an optimistic personality and you have this innate ability to make anyone smile. Whenever I'm upset I always know to come to you because you know exactly what words to say. Addressing your response to my blog, it warms my heart knowing that I've impacted your life. Nothing makes me happier knowing that I've been a good friend to someone who's been nothing but kind to me in return. I know one day you will be able to spread all that joy and positivity that you possess around those who aren't as lucky! Love ya, blonde-y!
DeleteI really like how you are given satisfaction by helping others, if more people were like you and helped others just because they like seeing others happy, we would have a better society.
DeleteI talk. A lot. Maybe not always in class, but for the most part, I am always talking. Maybe it's about an opinion I have on something. Maybe it's to my friend about the night's plans. And sometimes, it's complaints. But most of the time, I'm using my voice for something.With this, I've impacted a lot of people. My voice travels and affects others. What I've done for the world so far, is using my way of words to change other's perspectives. I've talked friends out of suicide. I've cleared the air between awkward arguments. I've made people believe that they are worth way more than they think. Many times, I've reached out to talk to someone when they are clearly not feeling their best, even if I don't really know them all that well. I don't know why I do all of this, but I guess knowing that something I've said to make things better is something that I really try to do often.
ReplyDeleteBecause I find so much joy and success in talking to others through problems, arguments, and daily situations (good or bad), I have always imagined myself as some type of counselor. I don't exactly know what that means just yet. Sometimes, I imagine myself as the primary basis of the word...as a school counselor working through other's days. Other times, it's as a really good mommy, leaving fond memories of heart to heart connections for my children to always remember. Other times, if I don't think I'll reach either of the two goals, just as a friend always there to call, as I have been for as long as I remember.
Considering all this, I believe in the concept of everyone being on this Earth to contribute to a greater cause. However, whether or not my cause of connecting to individuals is considered a great contribution is up to other's opinions. But I feel like by helping out others just by giving them a new piece of mind, little by little, it can turn into a chain reaction.
Like you Maggie I too believe I’ve contributed to the world with my words. I also find joy in helping others out. Words can really do others good. I’ve also been in situations where I’ve talked someone out of taking their own life or other self-harm. That was one of the hardest things I had to do. But I’m forever grateful that my words helped them.
DeleteI think it is great that you help people through their problems. It’s definitely true that words can go a long way. Just by saying hi and smiling at someone it can make their whole day so I know exactly what you mean when you say that your biggest contribution has been to help people through your words. I always see you trying to help people when they are sad so good job, and keep doing it maybe you could be saving someone’s life just by your words.
DeleteAs a child, there isn't really all that much you can do to contribute to society as a whole in a giant Earth shattering way, and sometimes it feels lie no matter what you do or say all of your cries fall on deaf ears because "who would ever listen to a child?" But there are little things that we do every day that make the world a better place, and saying that we don't contribute would simply be not true. But to think of something outright significant I've done was incredibly hard. After a good 10 minutes of reflection, I finally came up with something. I know this girl, who at the beginning of my sophomore year had this dirt poor opinion of herself. If you asked her to name one good thing about herself, she would not be able to tell you one, even though when i looked at her I saw them all, and as such, she picked guys she thought she deserved (ie: abusive awful pieces of garbage). It didn't help that the last person whom she was dating was still harassing her through various mediums. It took me a year of careful encouragement to finally get her to realize just how amazing she really is, and now she dates a guy she finally deserves, who treats her like a princess. Although, that guy doesn't happen to be me, I don't really mind, because for the first time in at the very least a year, she is happy, and I am happy that she is happy, and I couldn't be more happy with myself that I helped that come about.
ReplyDeleteNow about what I want my future legacy to be. Unlike most of the people in this AP Lang cohort, I'm not really that smart. I'm never going to be a scientist and invent the cure for some horrible disease. I'm not going to be a brilliant and figure out some unsolveable equation (Hell, I'm stuck on the completely solveable ones). I couldn't be a surgeon, because knowing my attention span I will forget I'm working on someone about halfway through. I couldn't successfully run a business (my stocks are at a combined -5.9% in Mr. Cirigliano's class). I probably couldn't even teach a subject because I don't feel I have the capacity to master something thoroughly enough to teach it effectively to a group of children who are relying on me to learn that subject. All of this being said, I don't feel like I can contribute to society the way that society traditionally wants me to. What I want to do, and be remembered by, is music. The more I do of it, the more I genuinely love it, and in one way or another when I grow up, I want to make music, because even if it doesn't cure a disease, or do anything tangible, it can do so much that you can't see. It can give you an escape from a feeling, or make you feel it even harder. It can drive the strongest men to tears and the weakest men to action, and I would love to have my legacy as a person who contributed to the world in this way. Even if I could teach music, maybe that would allow me to help bring about the person who does make music that does that, making it my victory as well. Sure it might not get me a mansion, music alone might not even get me a house, but it is what I'd like to do with my future, and if I can use it to contribute to society, I would be the happiest person alive.
Now as for HH's idea, I definitely believe in that. Everyone should contribute one way or another to this world. Though sadly I can not say that everyone does wind up doing that. We all certainly have the potential to, but a lot of people waste that potential doing absolutely nothing, and it is really sad. Everybody should make it their goal to make this world an iota better than it was when they joined it. A life is a terrible thing to waste. But as long as you use your life to the fullest, there is no doubt that you will contribute something important with it.
Very interesting Thomas, I am glad she found someone who deserves her. it tales a lot of time to even decide what college we really admire. we all have our strengths and weakness that males us who we are, how we all can not became scientist however I think if you feel your legacy would best be felt in music, its a Great idea. live it. Great Job.
DeleteJust like you when I first thought about this blog I didn’t think I contributed a single thing to this earth because we are so young. But you when you take a step back and realize all of the positive things you’ve done there’s definitely many things you have contributed. Don’t ever say you’re not smart! You are so smart especially to be in ap lang you have to be very intelligent so don’t put yourself down.
DeleteEver since middle school, I always wondered why I was here. Why was I placed with the people I am with today? What will I do that will impact lives? I know I’m still young, so I really don’t know how to respond, but I think I am a role model for the Hispanic community, especially my family. I know I am not the best role model because I fail at times, but I show my family that not all children whose parents work long hours or sacrifice everything must do the same; operating machinery doesn’t have to be your only talent. I remember at my family’s Super Bowl party, I brought some of my study guides because there were going to be midterms the next day. While I was studying, my cousins just looked at me like I wasn’t a Ramirez. When my six year old cousins, who think school is pointless approached me, I showed them that no matter how much you hate school and how much you think everything you do is pointless, school will probably liberate you. HH makes a great point about contribution because I believe that everyone should give back to their community. When my mom and dad married and decided to have me, they struggled for a long time. When my parents were struggling, their community helped them raise me and show me the right path. I think that the only way possible to pay back the people who helped my parents and who sacrificed a lot is to give back to the Hispanic community by being a role model to my community. The journey to become a role model is not impossible, but only difficult because of all the distractions and all the things that need to be done. Every summer before school starts, my church tries to help families who can’t afford school supplies, so every year, I try to donate as much as possible and volunteer, so I can give back to my community and show others the importance of school. Overall, I don’t know what my legacy will be, but I hope it is to show the Hispanic community that anything is possible. I hope that one day there will be more and more Hispanics that will soon see beyond their borders and try to become something that is unheard of. I hope that my determination to change the lives of my community will be carried over for many years, so that the Hispanic community can rise higher than ever before.
ReplyDeleteDave, I couldn't agree more; school and education will liberate you. People tend to get fed up with school because it is difficult and they drop out. After dropping out of school, they may wind up working at a low paying job, thus making them a slave to their labor. If they had stayed in school and received an upper-level education, then they would be in a better position in life. Thank you for bringing your study guides to your superbowl party; your education is highly important.
DeleteLike you, I take a big role when it comes to family. Being the first born, my parents are always pressuring me to be this perfect role model for my brothers and sisters. Being someone who is supposed to be perfect at all times can get tiring. I always find myself being criticized for doing even the slightest thing wrong because that slight mistake might influence my brothers and sister negatively. I admire you for taking a role as a significant figure in your community. I think we need more people like you. People who stray from the status quo and branch off doing things that only motivate others to do the same. Well done! P.S. I love reading your blogs. They always give me new incite and a different outlook on things!
DeleteDave, your role model status is something that is sort of amusing. I'm used to lifting weights with you in gym and ranting about everything that sucks. In that way, you have contributed to my life as well. Your friendship is definitely one of the highlights of school this year. But the more I think of it, your ranting is in fact a reflection of your role model status. Just try not to get fired from work...
DeleteA simple smile can do a lot for a person. That is the philosophy I decided to live by in the New Year. I did this because I wanted to make myself feel better as well as hopefully bring some happiness to everyone around me. Now admittedly I don’t smile all the time but I try my best! A smile can go a long way from making you feel good while looking in the mirror to brightening someone’s day without even saying a single word. But smiles are just the tool I use, the reason I smile is because I just want to make everyone happy! That’s what I try to be known for and that’s what I want to be remembered as. When people think of me I want them to smile and say that “That Vincent was a great guy to be around.” People tend to aspire to be seen as great amazing people who did incredible world changing things and there is nothing wrong with that but over the past couples years and in the beginning of this year especially I have come to realize that a lot of the times it’s the little things that really make a difference. That is why I strive to make people happy because however tiny of an achievement it might be to make a couple people smile each day in the long run that is all that matters to me. Little achievements, little memories and tiny victories each day building up to an existence lined with smiles. That is all I want, I don’t need to achieve greatness, it would be nice to change the world in a big way and maybe I will someday but that isn’t my goal. My goal is to make at least one person’s day a little better each and every day and that is all I need. So maybe I won’t be the next “great” but that doesn’t matter because if I keep doing what I’m doing at least I will know that I have done something good with every day I was given.
ReplyDeleteI'm not lying when I say that when I read this blog post all I did was smile. Vincent, although I only see you once a day in the humor filled class that is AP US History, I can't help but notice that you actually do ALWAYS smile. Every time I glance at you from the other side of the room and you happen to catch my eye, the first thing you do is smile back at me. I don't know if you do it intentionally or not, but either way that smile is contagious. No matter how sad I am or angry, some of that sadness and anger always finds a way out of my body when you or anyone else gives me a genuine smile. It's kind of weird, saying it now, but it makes sense. I didn't think of this until now, but man, does giving someone a smile really help. I genuinely love seeing your smile and I love seeing other people smile. It makes me happy knowing that others are happy (or at least pretend to be). I don't know exactly why I love this blog post of yours so much. I think it may be because of your outlook on life :) Anyways, well done!
DeleteSmiling is awesome and I am glad me and you have that in common.
DeleteVincent, you are one of those people who are very successful in what they do. The way people rave about your enthusiasm and Polak charm really impresses me. And from my perspective, you're fun to mess with. You are an asset to... SOCIETY!
DeleteHappiness is something that everyone seems to be lacking and I love that you strive to make others smile and feel better about themselves. It may be a small act of kindness but it can make a huge difference. I admire the fact that you are always trying to keep everything a little more cheerful, especially when it seems as if school and life has drained the life out of everyone. This is a great and simplistic contribution to the world because it makes a huge difference in an unexpected way. I felt happier while reading this post because I could just sense your positivity! Keep on smiling!
DeleteI'll be honest, ever since freshman year when I first met you in Rock's class, I have always looked forward to seeing you. It didn't matter if you were happy or sad because when you were happy, I got to see that wonderful smile of yours that sends happiness up through my toes, up my spine, and into my smile and when you were sad, I got to try to make you happy. Even though, I never actually succeeded, I'm glad that you let me try because you gave me the benefit of the doubt, and that means a lot to me. So when I do see you smile, it's a treasure because I take that as a sign that you're okay, and that's all I need.
DeleteOn the surface, I feel as though I have done absolutely due to the fact that I am not that seasoned in the ways of the world. On February 16th, I will have been on planet Earth for exactly 17 years and the only things that I have been able to do in this short period of time are make people laugh and smile. I'm not complaining, I would rather do all of those things than be a burden to them. As long as I am able to make someone smile or make them feel better about themselves, then I know I'm doing something right. In the future, I would like to continue to make people smile and laugh, but for not for my ribald sense of humor. When I grow up, I would like to either become an English teacher or a gastroenterologist. By being an English teacher, I can educate people and bequeath them with more knowledge than they had the day before. Teaching would also give me a chance to see the way people may view the world. I could turn a completely closed mind into a beautifully open mind. By becoming a gastroenterologist, I could help others smile by telling them what is ailing them. All I want to do is help people.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I find HH's quote of "The creatures that inhabit this earth- be they human beings or animals--are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world" to be true. This was hard for me to believe because I thought rocks were the exception to this rule, that is until I realized that you can stack rocks on a top of each other and make a masterpiece (CAUTION: THIS ONLY WORKS WITH CERTAIN ROCKS). Everything and everyone on this Earth was put here for a reason. Some may play trivial roles; others may play more serious roles. As far as my contributions (supplying people with the opportunity to laugh and smile) go, they seem trivial in my eyes. This could be because I am not on the receiving end of the exchange. Prior to making people smile and laugh, I realize that what I'm going to say to them has to be somewhat Jasmine-esque. For instance, after seventh period, I saw one of my friends and noticed that he was looking extremely dejected. He told me that he was sick, so in an attempt to cheer him up, I told him about my encounter with my crush earlier that morning. I began to explain that I had always seen my crush from the side, never head on. Even when given the opportunity to stare at his entire face, I would opt to look at the stubble on his chin from a weird angle instead. In my mind I was piecing together the left side and the right side of his face in order to come up with the "full face" image. Well, that morning, everything backfired when I decided to actually look at him head on. Needless to say, I will never piece someone's face together again. Once I finished telling my friend of my encounter, he burst out into a fit of laughter, asking me why these strange things keep happen to me. Knowing that I was able to turn his frown upside down, even if it was for a few minutes, made me feel fuzzy inside.
Unfortunately, there will come a time where I am no longer on this Earth and people are going to remember me for countless reasons. My friends and family are going to remember me as someone that was awkward beyond belief, silly, straightforward, and a girl that just wanted to have fun. I don't see why they would remember me in any other way; I don't want to be remembered in any other way. My goofiness is just who I am, I know people don't like it, but I'm not living for them. I'm living for me; and I shall continue to live for me. Until. I. Take. My. Very. Last. Breath.
Jasminology, the study of ......well you blog is very interesting. I must say and I hope everyone would bare with me that, you have a way with words just like putting a smile on the faces of people. Actually, rocks are mostly used for decorations and I think if we also took time to decorate them rather than just extracting minerals we could literally beautify the world. I would remember you. live life and live your legacy. great job.
DeleteWoah. Deep man. But I also want to be an English teacher! Yay! And um. Are you talking about Stonehenge? Or just art? Well whatever it is, good idea. Point made. And it is true you always seem to brighten my day, And help me out in general. I do appreciate the reminders for vocab tests and blogs due. As you can see, this reply is coming pretty late. Jasmine. In your own words. Or mine. You are a novelty. Happy almost birthday. :D
DeleteWhat I feel I’ve contributed has nothing to what I feel like I’ve done it has everything to do with who or more particularly what I am. I’m black and I seem to do all the things it seems black people are never supposed to do because no matter what we say about stereotypes mostly being untrue they still seem to ingrain themselves into our consciousness. One thing is the fact that I take AP classes because if you think about that’s where the number of African Americans seems to be scarce. Another thing is the fact that I do crew a sport where I’m one of a few that do the sport. But I think that when people see more black people in harder classes and doing different kinds of sports there perspective changes. Especially considering with crew I’m not exactly the five foot ten female the sport seems to be made for but I still hold my own and try my best. So when people see my five two to someone else’s five seven and I’m pulling just as hard or harder than they are they can see that with hard work you can make up the difference where it seems like you’re lacking or that a class is just that a class and if you’re willing to work hard it doesn’t matter what race you are.
ReplyDeleteBut besides that it’s hard to think about what I’ve done to affect people considering I’m not a particular talkative and when the time comes to be inspiring I don’t exactly know what to say or do. Anything I could think to say in an instance where I’m meant to be motivational feels disingenuous and that if I did say the generic “you can do it!” or “you’ve got this” it really wouldn’t be coming from me. Which is why although I know what I want to contribute to life one day I don’t think I ever really could till I get over this awkwardness that has seemed to instill itself into my very being. But every time I see or hear about an instance where a teen kills their self because it seems they have virtually no friends and they’re being picked on or even if I’m watching a true Hollywood story of a celebrity who got picked on in high school for being different I think if I was there I would be there best friend. I would be that person that made them feel differently about themselves that made them see that while it seems like the worst thing ever now when you’re older those feelings eventually fade and no one is judgmental as they were in high school. So I guess what I want to contribute is to be someone’s sounding board that person that helps to work through their aggression and problems to the point where they can just be happy.
Ultimately, I believe in what HH is saying because I am firm believer in the fact that everything happens for a reason whether good or bad. So I think that everything that does happen contributes to the beauty of the world because without the struggles of the bad days there can be no good ones.
You are right in the fact that everything happens for a reason. There’s no argument that we’ll experience nice days and overall horrible days. But learning from our struggles is definitely one of the keys to improving ourselves and creating better days.
DeleteI'm also a big contender for the everything happens for a reason, I just don't always think the reasons are good. Which is upsetting, but besides the point. To the rest of that.. *ahem* Hell yea! I mean. I laugh all the time about being 'brown', or I usually just call myself a mutt, so I think I understand. Somewhat anyway. Being black must be different. But anyway, I support you. And I know you're a beast in crew. And that one day you may possibly get over your awkwardness. For as long as I've known you you've been kind of quiet, but I feel like that's fading some so maybe the awkward will, too. Or may you've just been hanging out with Jasmine too much. Hah.
DeleteLife is an extremely precious gift. And I respect the life of all people and creatures and my own life. It was given to us, so it’s up to us to care for it and make something of it no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. We all hold something special in us that is unique and contributes to the world around us. I agree with HH’s idea that we all contribute something to the world. We’re all here on a planet with tools and it’s only natural to want to experiment with them. And in our experiments something great is created and enlightens another and another and so on.
ReplyDeleteIn my workings I along with everyone else have started my own contributions. Though this may seem silly, I believe that I’ve contributed words of advice to others. But one thing for sure I’m terrible at talking in front of crowds. Yet I’m well-off with a person or two in need of a talk. It’s usually easy for me to keep my cool for other people in order to think clearly for them and be as helpful as possible. This is most helpful for my sister who is always there for me. Whenever she loses her mind I pull myself together and share my own words of wisdom with her. And it’s truly rewarding when she responds happily and then tells me that my advice is most helpful and quite wise for a person of my age and experience.
To have an abundance of people similar to my sister react positively to my words would be a dream. I enjoy helping others, especially when it’s people close to me. Everyone deserves a few words of wisdom because for all we know, whatever they obtain from it could change their life for the better. I want and hope that my legacy is that whenever someone needs advice that I’m the one who can tell you something without being judgmental or overwhelmed. We all need a listener willing to listen, and give help without payment.
Just like you, I thought that my contribution was to help others with my words. It’s funny though that I could never seem to take my own advice and speak in front of big crowds. There’s nothing better than seeing someone smile because of something you have said or done. I hope that you do get the legacy that you hope to achieve and I have no doubt that you could be the one that would be there for anyone.
DeleteWords are just as important as food or water. I think offering your advice to people is a nice way of contributing towards the beauty of nature. sometimes or even always is hard to talk in a large crowd, you are not alone on this because I also have that same experience. I am hoping as we all get older we develop self confidence because it holds us back from accomplishing our legacies. I second the notion that life is a precious gift. overall great job.
DeleteMe and you had the same idea! Words are always the way to go in my eyes. It helps everyone and it also helps you in the end.
DeleteSotiria that is a great contribution. I could always use advice in life. Life is tough and sometimes people required words of knowledge from other. It is not silly I mean it is a great thing to be able to help others. I understand the problem with talking in crowds but don’t worry as long as you are able to help someone that is all that will matter. I listen to people and try to help but I am not good so all I want to do is to make them smile and have a great day. Overall great job on the blog sotiria.
DeleteSoti, you're basically the most pure-hearted person I know. Of course people are going to listen and appreciate your advice. If words are free, and you're willing to listen, there's nothing more valuable to a person in need. That's one of the easiest, simplest ways to contribute, and something that shouldn't be overlooked. Having someone to talk to is always important, just as much as anything else.
DeleteUsually we hear of famous people and their legacies and their impact on nature precisely the youth (the world). Names like Michael Jackson, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jnr., Tupac, Whitney Houston and many other great individuals who had an impact on our lives in one way or another. I am a person who loves the environment, normally because of what the environment provides me with. Honestly, I have not done a lot to help Mother Nature but she in her awesome ways has given a lot. As the proverb says, “To whom much is given, much is expected,” I remember the times, I felt lazy to pick up the can from the ground. I believe the HH idea that the creatures that inhabit this earth-be they human beings or animals are here to contribute, each in its own particular way to the beauty of the world. The will to contribute towards something has also being part of my dreams. I feel I have not done much too boldly come out as an individual to claim the honor of contributing towards the beauty and prosperity of nature. However, the little have being able to do, is by far the highest I think, I have contributed. Last summer, I volunteered at Atlantic care hospital. Yes, part of it was it would look good on my college transcript but honestly helping senior citizens and children was in a way my contribution to the world. Servicing these people of honor, in fact, brought joy to me because they shared most of their life experiences both good and bad with me, the advices I received and the complements I received to me, were Mother Nature form of thanking me. I was privileged.
ReplyDeleteLegacy, words don’t make a man; many have gone by, from the birth of the world and this country. Famous scientists brought up theorems, musicians gave us memorable notes, politicians gave us speeches, and relatives gave us love. Growing up, I thought of becoming a president, because I felt comfortable addressing the needs of people. A lot hasn’t changed I must confess, just that it seems my life is beginning to take a different root towards my dream. Career, I want to be a petrochemical engineer and a C.E.O. my role models are quite different from who I want to be but if there is one thing I have learnt about them then is to impact life positively anywhere in life. So this leads to my legacy, despite the circumstances I find myself in, I am uphold to positively impact lives. In my thoughts, in my outfit, in my conversations, I believe I could impact lives positively for, “We can’t change the world unless we change ourselves.” I am getting into adulthood very soon, it brings many challenges (so I have heard), I’m hoping that I would be ready to face them just like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Dr. Ben Carson, because they world would be a better place if we all did our part and I don’t want to certainly fail to live my legacy.
Stav, your competence has been proven with your recent endeavors in Consumer Bowl and Academic Team. Your determination is something I find inspiring. My friend, you are already starting to impact lives (mine especially)
DeleteWhat I have always have said about my self is that despite how I feel or if I am down I try to make someone smile and make their day better because I was always told if you think you’re having a bad day there is someone in the world who has it worse. I feel as though that is what I have been mainly successful in doing is that with my family and friends and that is all I truly want to continue to do. HH’s idea about contribution is 100% accurate because I do believe that every person in this world has a purpose and each person has a significant difference to make in this world whether it is good or bad. My specific contribution I think is guidance and happiness. I personally think I can give good advice with complete honesty to people whether I know them for a month or years. I want to be that person people turn to for help and good advice. I feel this way because as a younger kid I felt as though I always looked for that one person for good advice but never found them. I truly do think that people will know my “legacy” as the fun girl who was silly but was very honest and a great friend. What do I want my legacy to be? I want to be known as someone who lived with no regrets. A girl who live life to the fullest and learned to not let anyone bring her down and never let anyone get in her way of her goals and main success. Every person will have their own legacy but it was you make of it. You have to make your own legacy by your actions. Make your legacy, don’t leave it to someone else to make for you.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Dom.
DeleteA lot of people's ultimate contributions seem to be guided externally, either by parents or by an industrialist market, or by whatever will get on TV. It's a very misguiding energy.
DeleteWow Dom this is exactly how I feel that if I can make someone smile for the day by my action then I feel very satisfied. I mean nothing is like the feeling of looking at a smile that you were able to cause. Dom that is a great legacy because a lot of people feel like they didn’t do enough in life and have regret so living with no regret is a good legacy as well as the having good friends and being honest. So great job on this blog Dom.
DeleteAs far as the HH's ideology about every part of nature having something to contribute, I feel that is true but to a different extent. The HH seems to imply that every person (7 billion of them) and every single organism (6.02 X 10^23... at least), has somehow made life easier or more effective for every other organism. I don't particularly believe it is true because if we had 7 billion solutions to a world that has around 7 billion issues, the world would probably be much more functional than it actually is. However, I believe that the vast majority of human beings have had a profound effect on at least one other person. Unless that person is, of course, a total hermit. But the overall implication that our very existences shape the lives of other is very reasonable. Not only that, it speaks to nature of humans themselves. Though we, especially in Western cultures, consider ourselves a fiercely independent species, humans cannot begin to grow anywhere near their potential without the existence of others. The oh-so familiar Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is the most scientific (unfortunately) evidence for this statement.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my contributions to the world, I'm a little ambivalent. I often consider myself a complete and utter asshole but I also refuse to believe that I am a completely horrible person. If this is too contradictory for you, I'll reword that statement. In my words and thoughts, I am not a nice person. But I try to be somewhat good in my actions. Both of these, I hope can be contribution to those around me. My... horrible words often serve the purpose of trying to cheer someone else up at the expense of some ignorant third party. For example, Holocaust jokes, vulgar sexual images about other people, and screaming profanity while violently attacking inanimate objects. These are really just defense mechanisms and I really mean no malicious intent. The whole concept of just portraying something in the most negative light for a fraction of a second is a great stress reliever. And that has always been my most potent contribution (in my opinion). Long before I developed a sense of practicality, I wanted desperately to be a comedian. And in a sense, I kind of am. I try to perform to my friends in the form selective stone busting. Though I realize this whole concept may be hard for them to think that of me, I guess it's something you have to be somewhat close to me to understand. This also might come off as extremely egotistic or arrogant but it is my only honest answer. As I mentioned earlier, I also do nice things... sometimes. I often show a lot of initiative in helping people all in the name of adventure. So I have contributed my fair share in more than one way.
If I had to pick my greatest contribution, I would default to the comedian route. It's certainly the one I enjoy the most and the one I want to be remembered for. As I often tell people close to me, I would love to win the Senior Superlative "Biggest Asshole." But I guess in the long run, I just want to be remembered for being me.
I certainly agree with you in the fact that finding humor in things is a great way to make things better. Sometimes you just gotta make fun of some stuff, and you are certainly the grand master of making fun of stuff. You have made me laugh at times when I didn't think I could, by finding the most contrived way to inject humor into something that shouldn't have it, and making me wonder why the hell I didn't think of it first. To say that I have modeled some of the ways I tell jokes (especially angry ones about teachers) after you would be an understatement. Despite you being objectively one of the most imposing people I know in the physical sense, the way you carry yourself makes you friendly and entertaining, even in anger, and I find that very impressive as well. Great post!
DeleteEvery so often I will find myself questioning my existence and I am always wondering if I contribute enough to this world. Usually I just consider myself to be a worthless speck of dust floating through time and space. I haven’t done anything major to benefit the world and sometimes I wonder if I will ever get the chance to make meaningful contributions to society. Someday, I would like to make a change for the better. I want to stand up and fight for something I believe in. However, at this point in time, I feel as if I have done nothing to prove that I am worthy of anything. Even though I am usually in full belief that I am meaningless to society, I have learned to convince myself that I am important. To an extent, we have all made a great contribution, no matter how small it may be. It’s amazing to think that we have all done something to change the world, one way or another. Of course, some people may contribute a little more than others but you can’t compare yourself to someone else. Focusing on your own actions instead of others is the best way for you to really appreciate the things you have done for the world. Once I stopped comparing myself to others, I was finally able to see the importance of my actions and how some of them have benefited others in small but meaningful ways.
ReplyDeleteDespite the pessimistic thoughts I have towards myself, I have come to find that I am really good at staying on the positive side of things when it comes to helping someone get back on their feet. I was first aware of my importance a few years ago when my friend told me that she was starving herself. Since she was a friend that I had met at summer camp, I had only ever spent a week of my life with her. The fact that she was willing to talk to me about something so serious and secretive made me feel as if I really was special. Even though this was the first time I ever had to deal with an issue this serious, I was able to give her a great amount of useful and important advice. Whenever she came to me for help, I would immediately make her a top priority. It broke my heart to think that my friend felt so out of place and worthless that she felt the need to starve herself. I spent more than a year helping her feel comfortable and confident in her own skin. I couldn’t believe that I was able to impact someone’s life in such a good way. Who knows what would have happened to her if I hadn’t been there to give her the advice and optimism that she needed to overcome her obstacles. Looking back, I still get a sense of fulfillment from knowing that I was able to play a huge role in aiding a person towards recovery. I despise the idea that so many people feel as if they have no one to turn to when their world is falling apart. I like the idea of being able to help others conquer the negativity in their life. I like the idea of seeing someone become progressively happier and healthier throughout time. There is nothing better than knowing that your actions helped to benefit others.
Besides helping my friend conquer a major issue, I have helped others in minor ways by giving them positive words of advice. If someone is ever feeling bad about themselves I will immediately be there to help them out of their dreaded pit of darkness. Optimistic lectures can cure much more than you may think. Every piece of advice that I give becomes one more small contribution that I have made in order to benefit the world, even though they may be minuscule. I believe in HH’s idea of contribution because everyone is capable of making a difference in the world. We all have something to give to society and we all have a purpose in life. Don’t let yourself go through life without making a change. Do something to help others. Do something that will make a difference in the world. Most importantly, do something that will make your life worthwhile.
I have always believed that everyone on earth is important. You may seem important to yourself but you are. Everyone has affected another person in some way and I honestly think that everyone should try to help every person they might. Make this a better place than when you got here, that should be the life goal of every single person that is born. Personally, I attempt to help anyone in any way I can. That's my thing. You could not talk to me for 5 years and if you come to me asking to just listen to you rant, I will. Although because of this people tend to try to take advantage of me and use me for other reasons. So I help people, that's what I like to do. That's what I want to do for the rest of my life. Whether it's by being a doctor, or building better machines to help in hospitals as an engineer or serve in the military overseas and try to keep the peace. At the end of the day, I want to be able to die knowing that I helped people live better lives. Everyone does contribute to this planet in one way or another, some make waves, some learn new ways to ride the waves. Everyone is born for a reason, I believe in the intuition of humanity. I believe that everyone does something important, whether small time or big time. Everyone makes a difference and everyone can make a good difference. My greatest contribution so far has been to other people, if I was able to make someone a bit happier than when they came to me, I've accomplished my mission. My greatest contribution is making other feel better. My legacy won't be grand. I won't be on large news networks when I pass away, I'm okay with that. When I die, I want people to remember me as person they could come to when they needed somebody. I want people to think fondly on me as the person who saved their loved one or helped them through a tough time. I want people to remember me and remember to help others as well. If everyone would just learn to accept others, to help others and to love others, this would be a much better place to live.
ReplyDeleteI think people get so obsessed and caught up in making sure their accomplishments become famous than actually making sure they are contributing something positive. I often wonder how many people would wish to be Hitler "just to be remembered", as Kartik says.
DeleteWow Dan our blog is really similar. I feel exactly the same as you because if I am able to lend a hand to someone in distress than I feel that I have done something relevant. You are exactly right in that everybody is important and that they can contribute something to this world no matter how small. A small action like offering a hand may not seem important but add up every small thing together and it will become something worthwhile. So great job on this blog and again our blog is very similar and I didn’t know my blog was going to be similar to your.
DeleteLife is something that I value. Being close to death before, I do value every single moment I spend here and every single creature that's around me. I do believe that every single little thing, all the way down to the plants, will all contribute something to our world. It doesn't matter how big or small you are, we were put in this Earth for a reason and I do believe that we will make a contribution to this world no matter how small or big it is. Therefore, I do believe HH's thought that we will all contribute something to this world. We all have different strengths and different things that make us who we are. If put together correctly, each and every one of us could contribute to this world and possibly make it a better place to live in.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read this prompt, I really was about to say that I don't think I've really contributed anything to this world. However, if I was to say one thing that I think I've contributed, it would be my ability to listen to the problems of my family, relatives, friends, etc. I know it sounds cliché, but I sometimes do like giving advice. It sounds funny coming from me, but I do think it's true. Sadly, I sometimes don't know how to take my own advice. It's crazy how calm I could be when listening about other people's problems, but it drives me insane that I can't keep calm long enough to fix my own. It seems hypocritical, but there's really nothing better than seeing people smile after listening to them and giving them advice over their problems. I find it amusing that some adults think I'm older than how I actually am because of the words that I speak. I enjoy helping people and seeing them smile, but truth is, I actually want to be an accountant. Yea I know, it seems like an absolutely boring job where a person just sits in front of the computer and looks at numbers all day, but I really wouldn't mind doing it. I have absolutely no clue on what my legacy would be if I end up just being an accountant, but I do hope that it would be a positive one. If I don't make a huge contribution in this world as an accountant, I do hope that I will make a contribution in helping people smile every day. There's really nothing more important than happiness to me right now, and I do hope that happiness will be in my future and that I will be allowed to share it to as much people as I can.
I wasn't aware that you've come so close to death! Experiences like that really do give you insight into what really matters. I am happy that you fine and I value your insight into life. There's nothing boring about accounting! They keep the world running right! It's nice to know we each do our own little part.
DeleteTo quantify my impact on the lives of the people around me is a task to arduous for even the most acute politician, but I do agree with the sentiment that we have a far bigger impact on people than it may be convenient to realize. To be absolutely sure of the impact you are having you have to understand exactly how another person’s psyche works, that is, you have to be aware of exactly how they are going to react to your actions. To have that sort of insight requires an extremely intimate relationship that at this stage of my life isn’t very prevalent. Though I am sure I am having some sort of impact. People tell me that I inspire them. People tell me that I give them hope. People tell me that I make them feel good and I help them. But I honestly don’t understand why? I don’t feel as though anything I do is having so magnificent an impact as to warrant those praises. So I suppose that is my ambition. To do something I feel is so great as to warrant this in my mind. The greatest contribution I suppose I’ve made was working in the Soup Kitchen over the last few summers. The heartfelt thanks I have received from kitchen-overs always feels amazing! They marvel that a youth would wake up so early to help poverty-stricken individuals like themselves. The Soup Kitchen was a real charity experience – everyone there just seemed more desperate and thankful than any other place I have ever volunteered at. I also think having a kid working at the kitchen increase the morale of the staff working there. I made a lot of friends there and like to think I had an impact on at least some people’s lives.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess I do agree with HH’s contribution philosophy, for the very reason that it is pragmatic. If everyone tried to contribute, the world would be a far better place. It would make up for the people that inevitably will not contribute.
But the grand question of what my legacy will be is the sum total of all my ambitions and aspirations. I want to do something that will affect society in a positive way, something that pays it forward for all the benefits I received as an American and as a denizen of the 21st century. To say exactly what I am going to do seems to encompassing, yet I feel like making some contributions to the sciences and academia, as it has nurtured me so much through my life. I plan on doing extensive research in college (heck I’m doing research even now) as part of making that commitment in the hopes that one day that research may make life easier for someone or enlighten an enterprising mind.
I believe that everybody has a purpose on this world. I totally agree with the HH idea that every life has a purpose. Even though his idea seems impossible I personally think it is real because every life is precious and that all life has a purpose. Life is so complex and complicated that people are always thinking that they don’t have a purpose even though a person purpose isn’t immediately revealed that doesn’t mean they don’t have a purpose. People purpose in life can be reveal at a young age such as saving a person life or creating a method to end a detect a disease. But even if it isn’t reveal at a young age that mean your purpose hasn’t been revealed yet. So what I have contributes to this world is being able to help a person in the form of small meaningless task. I know that this isn’t really big, but remember that a journey of a thousand miles start with a single step. So by helping people in small ways, I will be able to achieve my purpose in this world in the long run of life. My everyday goal would have to be to help people in life feel a bit better and happier by saying hello, picking up books from the ground, or even just offering a hand. What I want to do is just help people end their stress and suffering in life. I might be able to accomplish this goal of mine by working in Wal-Mart and helping people find things or even becoming a doctor and finding a cure to disease. What I am saying is I can have any career in life, but as long as I am helping someone by lowering his or her suffering, stress, and sadness then I will have done my purpose in life. Every though I am doing something that is consider simple as long as I am able to see someone smiling face then I am very happy. So I want my legacy to be “the someone who is able to help brighten up someone day or ultimately to change someone life for the better”. So overall I want to say that I was able to contribute to someone happiness or being able to help someone day become a little bit better.
ReplyDelete(part one)
ReplyDeleteThe Dalai Lama may or may not have just given us all the meaning of life, or what may be the meaning of life for some anyway. But it’s nothing new to me. The importance of contributing to everything else in the universe has basically been the cornerstone of my life’s philosophy for the last 10 or so years, because before that the most important things to me were to get more money and wear more fluffy jackets. So it being so important to me specifically and who I am as a person, I know it's something I've already talked about in Bunje papers or blogs. I don’t think there’s any better way to make a life have meaning than by helping others. There is nothing more worthwhile because I am only temporary, but the universe will go on long after I am gone.
It’s not something everything can believe in, but it’s how I feel anyway. However with that being said, it’s time for me to make myself seem all awesome by saying all the great things I’ve done which is: not a whole heck of a lot. I’m not copping out, but there are only small things I’ve done up til this point, and I think picking a “greatest contribution” would just make me feel like I’m undermining the rest of them and what they may have meant for someone else. Therefore, I will just pick a kindness at random that is both the simplest to explain, and has absolutely no chance of being one of those self-serving kindnesses I think all things are when I’m feeling cynical; when I was about 11 and visiting the Philippines I gave homeless twins my Starbucks and about $20 in the local currency. I got yelled at for that actually. They told me it was too much money and I didn’t understand the value of what I was giving them, but I promise I did. I just thought they needed it more than I needed more snacks.
It’d been my last night there before going home, and basically the most exciting night a fairly sheltered kid like me had had in their lifetime. I ran around with my cousins, all around the same age, for hours, in a giant mall, with no parents, and we got locked in and were surrounded by what seemed like thousands of faceless Asians in yellow shirts all riding down the escalator at the same time so they could go home. It was a sea of Asians. So, so many. Then the threat of being stuck there was too much excitement for my tiny body to handle, and while running to find an exit and the irresponsible adult that had left us to our own devices for so long, we stopped at a Starbucks that gave me a chocolate coffee thing that was basically the best thing I’d ever drank, which I quickly gave away about 3 minutes after getting. None of the other people I was with gave anything. I was appalled. And confused. I was just a baby, but I didn’t get why everyone was just walking by these people that were just standing around everywhere. Is it because they were dirty? Were they sick? But whatever I chalked up the reason to being I didn’t resist when these two girls about the same age as me walked up and tried to talk to me in a language and didn’t understand, while reaching for my cup. I just said okay, gave them what I had, and jumped into a cab.
Other than making for a part of a cool story and giving me a reminder of what I was like even as a kid, this didn’t really affect me that much, and there’s no telling what it meant to those girls. Maybe it meant more or less because I was a stranger, or because I was a foreigner, or because I was a kid, too, or maybe I was just another person that walked by and gave them something who has a face they won’t remember.
(part two)
ReplyDeleteMaybe it’ll make me sound more egotistical than I mean to, but I think people know I basically try too hard to please others. For reasons that maybe aren’t always pure, I just try hard to be good, and those that are close to me probably know that. Honestly, I’m nice to the point where it’s actually detrimental to my own well-being. I can’t find it in me to hold grudges even when I should. I can’t handle confrontation all that well. I get myself into trouble because I go out of my way to do things that are unethical, unnecessary, and possibly physically painful for me because I think it’ll help something or someone else. I may or may not have been up an extra hour because I was helping someone with valentines. And I may or may not have spent another hour or two of my day trying to cheer this person up, no matter how much my mom was creeping around and being angry. And I may or may not have spent 8 hours today trying to find the perfect ones for each person in my class, and then baking 2 batches of brownies because I didn’t think my lackluster pieces of paper would be enough, and I thought it would be mean for me to make a batch just for my Lang class and then not another for everyone else I care about. I focused more on people, but I promise there are other ridiculous ways I try to help, too. I try to contribute to the point where it probably seems like I have issues. I worry a lot, and it helps keep me sane. But I guess that’s how I want it? Legacy doesn’t matter much to me, and I think that’s obvious when a person considers that half the time I write anything I probably just seem simple- minded, obsessive, and still confused, but that’s just how I am. I mean, I just want to be remembered for doing good things. Or trying at least. That’s about it.
If that is your goal, I think you succeeded a long time ago. You do so much for so many people, and I don't think that they realize it or even appreciate it, but I want you to know that I appreciate everything you've done for me. You've been an amazing friend to me over the last few months, and you are one of the main reasons why I haven't just given up on school completely. So, thank you. On a side note, I loved the part where you said "It was a sea of Asians. So, so many." because I imagined you saying that in your panic voice even though you were missing your much needed exclamation points and capital letters.
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