As you may know, the ex-CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs, recently passed due to Pancreatic cancer. Before he passed, he made a speech. One of the things he said was, "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." After I read that, I stopped for a second to think about what he meant, but I didn't understand it. As I kept reading, he said, "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" With that, I began to get an idea of what he meant. Even though he already knew he was on the road to death, he still used that quote to get the most out of everyday. I began to understand the quote that inspired the way he lived his life for the past 33 years.
Hearing this quote for the first time opened up a door to me that I didn't even know existed. It opened up a whole new perspective of life to me. It made me realize a lot more that I hadn't even thought to think about before. If I woke up tomorrow morning, looked in the mirror, and asked myself, "If this was going to be my last day to live, would I actually want to do what I'm going to do today?" I'd realize that if I lived my last day yielding to my normal routine, I would've ended my life half liven. Doing the things I had to do, instead of the things I wanted to do. Not experiencing all the things I wanted to have experienced. Not seeing places I wanted to have seen. In my mind, I wouldn't have even lived.
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life." - Steve Jobs
That was his way of making big decisions, and I see where he's coming from. I agree with him actually. To keep in mind that your life could be over at any day, at any second, affects the way you think so much more than you think now. You would want to make the decisions most beneficial for you, so you could have lived your life proudly & prosperously, right? Well I don't know about you, but that's how I'd want to live my life. So with every decision I make, If I think about that one saying, I think I'd make the better choices in life for me.
I realized that there is so much more to fulfill in life, and that our time is precious. Not a second should be wasted, because that second could be your very last. It makes you think about so much more, and it makes you see life in a completely different way. It makes you appreciate so much more. And what I'm hoping is that this quote will have the same effect on the rest of my community, if better more, than it did on me. Thank you for these words of inspiration, may your legacy live on, Steve Jobs.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
CE: Fat Tax?
Denmark has imposed the worlds first fat tax on it's country with intentions to prevent the intake of fatty foods and obesity. The tax affects foods such as milk and butter, to pizza and meat. Their plan is to increase the prices of anything eatable with fats an oils incorporated, to decrease the chances of weight gain & unhealthy diseases related to the intake of those foods, such as fast foods. Do you think this is an intelligent approach to the situation?
Do I understand where they're coming from? Yes I do. Do I think they've created this tax with good intentions? Yes I do. But do I think this plan will succeed? No I don't. To be honest, I don't think the low prices & easy access to the fatty foods is the problem. I think that if people just eat in moderation, consuming such foods wouldn't be such an issue. For example, I myself eat fast foods, such as french fries, pizza, and cakes. But I eat them in moderation, and if I wanted to purchase more, I don't think it'd be fair for me to pay more. In all actuality, I really doubt that raising the prices on these foods will change much. Sure, maybe some people will cut down on buying so much. But I'm almost positive that the majority of the population will still purchase those foods if that's what they really want. So do I believe this tax will stick around for countless years to come? I'm almost positive it won't. What do you think?
Do I understand where they're coming from? Yes I do. Do I think they've created this tax with good intentions? Yes I do. But do I think this plan will succeed? No I don't. To be honest, I don't think the low prices & easy access to the fatty foods is the problem. I think that if people just eat in moderation, consuming such foods wouldn't be such an issue. For example, I myself eat fast foods, such as french fries, pizza, and cakes. But I eat them in moderation, and if I wanted to purchase more, I don't think it'd be fair for me to pay more. In all actuality, I really doubt that raising the prices on these foods will change much. Sure, maybe some people will cut down on buying so much. But I'm almost positive that the majority of the population will still purchase those foods if that's what they really want. So do I believe this tax will stick around for countless years to come? I'm almost positive it won't. What do you think?
RP: Another Word For Music? Home.
"I like the feeling of being in my own little world, have my music on, and I can express my feeling or emotions."
I know exactly what he's talking about when he says this. When I have my music on, I feel like I can shut out the remainder of the world and concentrate on myself. I can let out and express my emotions. For me, and I'm sure many for many other people, it's just a favor music does for us.
Music. There's many genres, many artists, and many songs to choose from. It can cope to anyone's taste, it's versatile. It's diverse. But the one thing music does for everyone, is that it allows you to express yourself no matter what mood you're in, and that's what I love about it.
Personally, music is my main source of comfort. Music is something I can always turn to, like a best friend. No matter what mood I happen to be in, there's always a song that matches it. If I'm in a happy excited mood, I could put on an upbeat fast song, and the music will be there with me almost holding my hand and dancing with me. If I'm feeling down, I could put on a soft slow jam, and the music would be there almost holding me and crying with me. My main point is music is comfort. It will be there whenever you need it to be, that's a guarantee. In my opinion, music is home.
I know exactly what he's talking about when he says this. When I have my music on, I feel like I can shut out the remainder of the world and concentrate on myself. I can let out and express my emotions. For me, and I'm sure many for many other people, it's just a favor music does for us.
Music. There's many genres, many artists, and many songs to choose from. It can cope to anyone's taste, it's versatile. It's diverse. But the one thing music does for everyone, is that it allows you to express yourself no matter what mood you're in, and that's what I love about it.
Personally, music is my main source of comfort. Music is something I can always turn to, like a best friend. No matter what mood I happen to be in, there's always a song that matches it. If I'm in a happy excited mood, I could put on an upbeat fast song, and the music will be there with me almost holding my hand and dancing with me. If I'm feeling down, I could put on a soft slow jam, and the music would be there almost holding me and crying with me. My main point is music is comfort. It will be there whenever you need it to be, that's a guarantee. In my opinion, music is home.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
FREE: What I'm Thankful Most For.
Ever had one of those days when you feel like it just isn't your day? When you don't even feel like getting out of bed? When everyone just seems to irritate you for no apparent reason? Well I'm having one of those days, and I love how you always have those friends who can brighten up your mood without even seeming to try. Those are the friends I'm thankful for.
It's Wednesday after school, and the weather's been bipolar all day. With rain and sun, then rain and sun again. At the moment, the weather is hideous outside. Cold, windy, and rainy. My day at school, not so great. Sleeping through every class besides PE, and being either angry or apathetic while I was awake. I obviously did not have a 7 hour long school day filled with daisies and cotton candy. All I could think about all day was getting through that excruciating day as fast as possible, so I could go home and sleep through the rest of the day. I didn't have any plans for after school, and I didn't really want any either. I didn't think anything could make my day brighter. But then came along my good friend Ariel. Convincing me to hangout after school instead of going home, I felt better. With a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, a board game of Life, and some extremely funny advice, my day got so much better.
I'm thankful to have people like that in my life. Friends that're willing to listen to what I have to say when I'm not having the best day. Friends who can make me laugh and smile without even trying. Friends that I'm positive will always be there for me. They're what gets me through the day. I can honestly say I wouldn't even know where I'd be without my friends. So they're what I'm thankful most for.
It's Wednesday after school, and the weather's been bipolar all day. With rain and sun, then rain and sun again. At the moment, the weather is hideous outside. Cold, windy, and rainy. My day at school, not so great. Sleeping through every class besides PE, and being either angry or apathetic while I was awake. I obviously did not have a 7 hour long school day filled with daisies and cotton candy. All I could think about all day was getting through that excruciating day as fast as possible, so I could go home and sleep through the rest of the day. I didn't have any plans for after school, and I didn't really want any either. I didn't think anything could make my day brighter. But then came along my good friend Ariel. Convincing me to hangout after school instead of going home, I felt better. With a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, a board game of Life, and some extremely funny advice, my day got so much better.
I'm thankful to have people like that in my life. Friends that're willing to listen to what I have to say when I'm not having the best day. Friends who can make me laugh and smile without even trying. Friends that I'm positive will always be there for me. They're what gets me through the day. I can honestly say I wouldn't even know where I'd be without my friends. So they're what I'm thankful most for.
Friday, September 30, 2011
ESSAY: Humans, A Question With No Correct Answer.
What is a human? Sure, you can look up the scientific definiton of a human being. But what do you think makes humans different? What qualities do you think humans have that seperate them from any other animal or species? What do you think makes us humans, human? Everyone has there different opinion, but can anyone really give us a correct specific answer?
That's the scientific definition of a human being, but what does that really say about us? That we're smarter than other species? That we can talk? That we can stand up straight? Yeah, I suppose I agree because those are all facts of qualities that distinctly make us human. But what I didn't see in the scientific definition, that I thought should have been incorporated somehow, was something about emotion. Something about feelings. I feel like the fact that humans have the incredible ability to feel happiness, pain, sadness, and excitement is extraordinary. I feel like it's a deeper quality that makes us human.
I already know there's going to be some people would argue with what I'm saying and say that animals can feel the same way too. I wouldn't completely disagree with the argument that they're trying to put out because I understand where they're coming from, but I would disagree to an extent. Animals can feel too, that's the part I agree with. But I don't think they have the "superior intelligence" that was specifically given to us to express and understand those emotions. And besides just understanding our own feelings, it's the way we carry out to handle these situations.
For example, if we felt threatened by something or someone, we have the common sense and tolerance to ignore and avoid that threatening situation. But in most cases, if animals felt threated by something or someone, their natural instinct is to attack and fight to get on top. Natural selection, in other words. I feel like they live in a world where only the toughest, only the strongest survive. But us, I feel we all equal and have the same chance and level of intelligence to survive in this world.
Something I've seen in the past, is a situation where someone seemed so perfect.Where someone seemed so programmed. Where it seemed like they could make no mistakes, and where it seemed like they could show no emotion. Never crying, never smiling, and always stoic. People called her a robot. They said it wasn't healthy, normal, or even human to be so unblemished. In a world with so many imperfections and glitches, how could something so emotionless be produced? Well one day, it was only natural that she broke. Her perfect porcelain shell finally cracked. And though it was under anger, not laughter or happiness, it showed she was capable of showing emotion. It showed she was capable of feeling. And after people observed such an unusual outbreak, their perspectives of her changed. The labels "perfect", "programmed", and "robot" vanished. And a new perspective of her came into mind, they called her human.
I can think of another way that distinguishes us from other species, that we have the distinct ability to feel regret, to feel guilt, to feel remorse. For example, animals in the world kill each other all the time. Whether it's for territorial reasons, survival reasons, or just as a game, it's like second nature to them. They are taught to hunt and kill from the day they begin to walk, it's apart of how they live. After killing, they praise themselves. They don't regret what they've done, because that state of mind doesn't exist in the lifestyle they've been raised to live under. But with us, it's a different story. If we do something as little as lying, or as big as murdering, chances are, we will feel guilt and/or regret. Because that's the state of mind we've been raised to live under. Knowing all our lives that those wrong doings are not okay, we will probably be devoured by guilt, and filled to the rim with regret.
Before when I was asked the question, "what do you think makes a human being human?" I always replied, "I don't know. The fact we can talk and stand tall?" I always relied on the scientific definition because that's all that naturally came to mind, like a reflex. I realized I never really dug deep and broke down the aspects or differential qualities that a human specifically and specially has to classify them as human. As I thought more and more about it, so much more than the broad definition of "superior intelligence, articulate speech, and erect carriage" came to mind. Emotion to me, was the most important and interesting because I feel like without emotion, we'd be completely flawless. The whole idea of us crying, screaming in anger, squealing out of happiness makes us so down to earth, and completely human. To me, that's the complete base of humanity.
Humans, they are a roller coaster on two feet. With constant changing emotions, it makes us seem crazy. How we can go from pure happiness to heart throbbing pain. How we can go from being extremely apathetic to party throwing excited, all in a time period of a few seconds. How to explain that exactly? Nobody knows, but that's what distinctly categorizes us and labels us as humans.
So next time someone asks you, "what makes a human being human?" Don't just turn to the scientific definition that you could google search in a second. Take a minute and think about it. Because in all actuality, this is such a broad topic that it's almost impossible to get wrong. The idea of emotion being a human's strong point and base, is just my opinion. So dig deep, think about it. Because humans are a question with no correct answer.
That's the scientific definition of a human being, but what does that really say about us? That we're smarter than other species? That we can talk? That we can stand up straight? Yeah, I suppose I agree because those are all facts of qualities that distinctly make us human. But what I didn't see in the scientific definition, that I thought should have been incorporated somehow, was something about emotion. Something about feelings. I feel like the fact that humans have the incredible ability to feel happiness, pain, sadness, and excitement is extraordinary. I feel like it's a deeper quality that makes us human.
I already know there's going to be some people would argue with what I'm saying and say that animals can feel the same way too. I wouldn't completely disagree with the argument that they're trying to put out because I understand where they're coming from, but I would disagree to an extent. Animals can feel too, that's the part I agree with. But I don't think they have the "superior intelligence" that was specifically given to us to express and understand those emotions. And besides just understanding our own feelings, it's the way we carry out to handle these situations.
For example, if we felt threatened by something or someone, we have the common sense and tolerance to ignore and avoid that threatening situation. But in most cases, if animals felt threated by something or someone, their natural instinct is to attack and fight to get on top. Natural selection, in other words. I feel like they live in a world where only the toughest, only the strongest survive. But us, I feel we all equal and have the same chance and level of intelligence to survive in this world.
Something I've seen in the past, is a situation where someone seemed so perfect.Where someone seemed so programmed. Where it seemed like they could make no mistakes, and where it seemed like they could show no emotion. Never crying, never smiling, and always stoic. People called her a robot. They said it wasn't healthy, normal, or even human to be so unblemished. In a world with so many imperfections and glitches, how could something so emotionless be produced? Well one day, it was only natural that she broke. Her perfect porcelain shell finally cracked. And though it was under anger, not laughter or happiness, it showed she was capable of showing emotion. It showed she was capable of feeling. And after people observed such an unusual outbreak, their perspectives of her changed. The labels "perfect", "programmed", and "robot" vanished. And a new perspective of her came into mind, they called her human.
I can think of another way that distinguishes us from other species, that we have the distinct ability to feel regret, to feel guilt, to feel remorse. For example, animals in the world kill each other all the time. Whether it's for territorial reasons, survival reasons, or just as a game, it's like second nature to them. They are taught to hunt and kill from the day they begin to walk, it's apart of how they live. After killing, they praise themselves. They don't regret what they've done, because that state of mind doesn't exist in the lifestyle they've been raised to live under. But with us, it's a different story. If we do something as little as lying, or as big as murdering, chances are, we will feel guilt and/or regret. Because that's the state of mind we've been raised to live under. Knowing all our lives that those wrong doings are not okay, we will probably be devoured by guilt, and filled to the rim with regret.
Before when I was asked the question, "what do you think makes a human being human?" I always replied, "I don't know. The fact we can talk and stand tall?" I always relied on the scientific definition because that's all that naturally came to mind, like a reflex. I realized I never really dug deep and broke down the aspects or differential qualities that a human specifically and specially has to classify them as human. As I thought more and more about it, so much more than the broad definition of "superior intelligence, articulate speech, and erect carriage" came to mind. Emotion to me, was the most important and interesting because I feel like without emotion, we'd be completely flawless. The whole idea of us crying, screaming in anger, squealing out of happiness makes us so down to earth, and completely human. To me, that's the complete base of humanity.
Humans, they are a roller coaster on two feet. With constant changing emotions, it makes us seem crazy. How we can go from pure happiness to heart throbbing pain. How we can go from being extremely apathetic to party throwing excited, all in a time period of a few seconds. How to explain that exactly? Nobody knows, but that's what distinctly categorizes us and labels us as humans.
So next time someone asks you, "what makes a human being human?" Don't just turn to the scientific definition that you could google search in a second. Take a minute and think about it. Because in all actuality, this is such a broad topic that it's almost impossible to get wrong. The idea of emotion being a human's strong point and base, is just my opinion. So dig deep, think about it. Because humans are a question with no correct answer.
Friday, September 23, 2011
CE: The Hype Of Social Networking.
Facebook. One of the most popular social networking websites. Facebook is so common among society nowadays, ranging from 10 year olds, to 60 year olds. Some of the main questions you ask someone when you meet them is, "what's your name?" "Where do you go to school?" &"Do you have a facebook?" Now that this website has become such a necessity in life, do you think you could live without it?
Everyone uses facebook. And now that it's becoming more and more popular, facebook decided to update itself by adding some new changes. Of course, many both agree and disagree with the changes. Some say, "the changes are ridiculous, I don't want to see what everyone's doing at every second of everyday." &others say, "I like the new changes, it's allowing access to so much more." Personally, I'm a bit of both. I do get annoyed by the changes sometimes, but on the other hand, I could really care less.
With all the talk of changes, and facebook shutting down, I wonder how many people could live without it. Honestly, I do spend a lot of time on facebook. I'm always logged in, but that's only because I'm always on mobile. But if it came down to it, I could probably live without it. The way I think of it, facebook is just a hype, a phase. Who knows how long this phase will last, but I consider it like myspace. Remember that old thing? People used to treat myspace like facebook, until facebook came along. And what's going to happen when a new, improved technological website comes along? I think we'll most likely over time, abandon facebook. So ask yourself this, do you think you could live without facebook?
Everyone uses facebook. And now that it's becoming more and more popular, facebook decided to update itself by adding some new changes. Of course, many both agree and disagree with the changes. Some say, "the changes are ridiculous, I don't want to see what everyone's doing at every second of everyday." &others say, "I like the new changes, it's allowing access to so much more." Personally, I'm a bit of both. I do get annoyed by the changes sometimes, but on the other hand, I could really care less.
With all the talk of changes, and facebook shutting down, I wonder how many people could live without it. Honestly, I do spend a lot of time on facebook. I'm always logged in, but that's only because I'm always on mobile. But if it came down to it, I could probably live without it. The way I think of it, facebook is just a hype, a phase. Who knows how long this phase will last, but I consider it like myspace. Remember that old thing? People used to treat myspace like facebook, until facebook came along. And what's going to happen when a new, improved technological website comes along? I think we'll most likely over time, abandon facebook. So ask yourself this, do you think you could live without facebook?
Thursday, September 22, 2011
RP: Next Time, Think Twice.
"I believe that crying doesn't make you a baby at all."
I completely agree with Bridget on this one. I don't know why, but a lot of people tend to believe that if you cry, you're a baby. &that's completely untrue. I mean, I suppose it does depend on the reason why you're crying. But in most cases, you can't call someone a baby because their emotions have reached their limit, because think about it, it's not like you haven't ever done the same.
Crying. A common result of sadness, anger, and in a few cases, pure stupidity. Maybe it's because you're saddened by a broken heart. Maybe it's because you're angered by being misunderstood. Or maybe it's because you broke a nail, which then I would probably call you a cry baby too.
I believe crying is a complete release of stress. It does in fact make you feel better. I've heard a quote before, and it said, "crying doesn't mean you're weak, it just means you've been strong for too long." And in most cases, I believe that. Everyone goes through something different, something nobody can completely understand besides yourself. And you wouldn't believe it, but many people paint smiles on their faces to get through an excruciating day. They keep all their problems&sincere emotions bottled up inside of them, not sharing them with a soul. So honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if one day, they broke. If one day they felt they couldn't handle it anymore. If one day, they felt all that bottled up stress became too much for them to hold control over. If the only way to relieve that sort of weight off of you was to cry. To let go, and to release all that stress and rage until you've gone completely numb. And to people who don't understand that, or think it's stupid when people cry, think about why they could be crying. You don't know the story behind their emotion, so it'd basically be the same as judging a book by it's cover. Next time, think twice before calling someone a baby.
I completely agree with Bridget on this one. I don't know why, but a lot of people tend to believe that if you cry, you're a baby. &that's completely untrue. I mean, I suppose it does depend on the reason why you're crying. But in most cases, you can't call someone a baby because their emotions have reached their limit, because think about it, it's not like you haven't ever done the same.
Crying. A common result of sadness, anger, and in a few cases, pure stupidity. Maybe it's because you're saddened by a broken heart. Maybe it's because you're angered by being misunderstood. Or maybe it's because you broke a nail, which then I would probably call you a cry baby too.
I believe crying is a complete release of stress. It does in fact make you feel better. I've heard a quote before, and it said, "crying doesn't mean you're weak, it just means you've been strong for too long." And in most cases, I believe that. Everyone goes through something different, something nobody can completely understand besides yourself. And you wouldn't believe it, but many people paint smiles on their faces to get through an excruciating day. They keep all their problems&sincere emotions bottled up inside of them, not sharing them with a soul. So honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if one day, they broke. If one day they felt they couldn't handle it anymore. If one day, they felt all that bottled up stress became too much for them to hold control over. If the only way to relieve that sort of weight off of you was to cry. To let go, and to release all that stress and rage until you've gone completely numb. And to people who don't understand that, or think it's stupid when people cry, think about why they could be crying. You don't know the story behind their emotion, so it'd basically be the same as judging a book by it's cover. Next time, think twice before calling someone a baby.
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