Assignment: Read the simplicity packet. Choose an idea from the packet and write about it. Be sure to quote the article or passage you are referring to and make sure you cite your source. 3 paragraph minimum. Grammar and mechanics correct.
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The quote from the packet I chose was, "Simplicity means feeling such a strong sense of kinship with others that, as Ghandi said, we 'choose to live simply so that others may simply live.'"(no citation given... but, it's from the 5th idea from the "simplicity garden" article.)
I chose this quote because it really stood out for me. I think it stood out from everything else because it really made me think about what Ghandi meant by what he said. I think that he really just meant exactly what he said; live your life simply so that others can live their lives simply too. I think you can also dig deeper in this quote and think about what it really means to live simply, and why you have to "have a strong sense of kinship with others." Living simply has a lot of definitions, and being in such a strong relationship with others can too.
To me, living simply means living life to the fullest without distractions and unnecessary things. Living life to the fullest could mean that you do what you really love with the people that matter to you and not worrying about the other stuff. A lot of that could be called "distractions" or "unnecessary things", and I think those things are material items and items or concepts that are really complicated. That would be things that you don't really need; unlike necessary things like food, water, and shelter. I think you also need people, like your friends and your family.
I think that being in really strong relationships with other people can help with simplicity because you can be with them and have good times without trying too hard. You can also always have them there to have them remind you to live your life simply. That relates to what Ghandi said, we "choose to live simply so that others can simply live," which I think means that if you live your life simply, others will too. That would probably make life in general simple and easy. Another thing about that would be that you shouldn't have too many friends, or at least close ones, because that could make life confusing and maybe even stressful, which is not being simple. As long as you keep the right friends close, you will live a simple and happy life.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
This I Believe Essay
My main belief in life is being yourself and not caring what other people think.
When I was 12, I remember seeing all these other girls, and thinking they were the coolest people ever. I remember wanting to be just like them. I would try to buy the clothes they had (or at least consider it), do my hair like theirs, even talk or say things that they would. Then, after I spent a lot of time with my really close friends, I started to know who I really was. I realized that I didn't have to be just like those "cool" people, and that I really just had to be myself for people to like me. And, after that, I was more outgoing and ended up making more friends and getting closer to the people that were already my friends.
Honestly, I don't really think one single person made me believe this way, it was just kind of a combination of people. I think in some way, it was myself, because I looked back at myself when I wasn't sure who I was. It was also a lot of things that I would see places, like quotes or things that people would say about being yourself. Another thing that helped me think this way was just seeing or hearing about people who did bad things or weren’t happy because they were hanging out with the wrong people and not being themselves. Everything sort of came together in my head to form this belief.
Even though I'm writing this like I've really found myself, I really don't think I have. I mean I think I've found myself in the sense that I don't care what other people think, and I do what I really want to. But, I feel like nobody at my age has really found themselves, we're always changing. I could walk into school tomorrow with pink hair and different clothing; I could change at any time. Even though that doesn't sound like being yourself, I believe it is, because you didn't do it because other people were doing it, you did it because you wanted to. I think that's what really matters.
So, the next time you think to yourself, "Why can't I be just like that person?” or doubt yourself; remember that being yourself is all that matters. As long as you're happy with who you are, you're perfect. Nothing in your life should make you think differently.
When I was 12, I remember seeing all these other girls, and thinking they were the coolest people ever. I remember wanting to be just like them. I would try to buy the clothes they had (or at least consider it), do my hair like theirs, even talk or say things that they would. Then, after I spent a lot of time with my really close friends, I started to know who I really was. I realized that I didn't have to be just like those "cool" people, and that I really just had to be myself for people to like me. And, after that, I was more outgoing and ended up making more friends and getting closer to the people that were already my friends.
Honestly, I don't really think one single person made me believe this way, it was just kind of a combination of people. I think in some way, it was myself, because I looked back at myself when I wasn't sure who I was. It was also a lot of things that I would see places, like quotes or things that people would say about being yourself. Another thing that helped me think this way was just seeing or hearing about people who did bad things or weren’t happy because they were hanging out with the wrong people and not being themselves. Everything sort of came together in my head to form this belief.
Even though I'm writing this like I've really found myself, I really don't think I have. I mean I think I've found myself in the sense that I don't care what other people think, and I do what I really want to. But, I feel like nobody at my age has really found themselves, we're always changing. I could walk into school tomorrow with pink hair and different clothing; I could change at any time. Even though that doesn't sound like being yourself, I believe it is, because you didn't do it because other people were doing it, you did it because you wanted to. I think that's what really matters.
So, the next time you think to yourself, "Why can't I be just like that person?” or doubt yourself; remember that being yourself is all that matters. As long as you're happy with who you are, you're perfect. Nothing in your life should make you think differently.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Simplicity Article
This is the news article I found about simplicity: http://politics-news-articles.blogspot.com/2011/09/why-simplicity-is-so-vital.html !! good stufff.
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