"To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, -- that is genius. Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. "
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is common in our world today to try to mold our thoughts into the shape of others'. Perhaps it is the fear of being different, or the uncertainty of the validity of our thinking that causes this self-inflicted assimilation. In this quote, I believe that Emerson is advocating against this mindset, explaining that believing in your own thoughts and standing firm in your opinions is very crucial. If you yourself cannot believe what you think, then there is no way that you can have the confidence to act out the beliefs that you have placed in yourself. You have to act out upon your own thoughts that make you an individual as nobody else can do it for you.
Through my personal experience, I have faced certain challenges that required me to think about my interests and qualities before making a decision. A choice in specific would be continuing to piano for level 10, or dropping out to focus on school work. After spending multiple weeks debating in my mind, I came to a realization that I would prefer to not continue into the last level of piano. After I made my initial choice, I began to wonder if I had chosen correctly, and if I would regret it later on. But after a few days, it settled in that I had done the right thing because I trusted my own thoughts. Because of the dropping of my piano, I am now able to focus more on school and volunteering with a much lighter workload, not having to incoroporate the stress of piano and its required theory/history examinations.
If I had followed what some others told me and continued in piano, perhaps I would be suffering through a higher stress level today. But because of my decision to stick to my instinct, my initial thoughts, I am confident in my choice and do not regret it.
By keeping true to your beliefs, you can help guide your life and your choices to suit yourself better; almost better than anyone else can do for you. Although at times the trust you put in yourself may lead you to the less practical choice, you can learn from mistakes and build character, and develop thoughts even more. Listening to others' thoughts and beliefs is good, taking their opinions into consideration is great. But do not let the ideas of others overtake your own, as your thoughts will in the end balance out who you are.
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Inside or Outside?
What does it mean to be an insider or an outsider? As implied by the words contained in the words themselves, an insider is one who is closer to the 'information', as an outsider is further away from it and does not have clear access.
In the poem Richard Cory, the narration seems to be in the point of view of fellow citizens who admire and are somewhat envious of his life. The people passing by everyday seeing him were clearly outsiders, as "we people on the pavement looked at him, he was a gentleman from the sole to crown...". They admired him from the outside, taking attributes of his personality and life through physical facts and observations. However, someone on the inside would know perhaps much more to him, speaking about his true personality, the way he reacts in situations and his interests and hobbies and other personal traits. In the end of the poem, Richard Cory "put a bullet through his head", possibly implying that he was unhappy with his life. An outsider who was simply observing the way he appeared in public would not have expected the shocking decision Richard made on that summer night, whereas an insider would have been able to understand and perhaps learn about his unhappiness and difficulties. An insider may have been able to consult Richard Cory about his difficulties and how to cope with them without ending is life. An outsider, on the other hand, can only see what their eyes retain and are not able to change the outcome.
In conclusion, an outsider means to be someone who is (at times) unintentionally trapped on the outside of a person or situation, only seeing the directly physical aspects of what is observed. They are not able to go deeper into their understanding for a certain subject, as they are not able to learn more about the topic itself. However, an insider is quite the opposite. An insider is able to search deeper into a person or situation, and as a result can sympathize or even relate with what is happening. They are able and in addition willing to discover more about what surrounds them.
In the poem Richard Cory, the narration seems to be in the point of view of fellow citizens who admire and are somewhat envious of his life. The people passing by everyday seeing him were clearly outsiders, as "we people on the pavement looked at him, he was a gentleman from the sole to crown...". They admired him from the outside, taking attributes of his personality and life through physical facts and observations. However, someone on the inside would know perhaps much more to him, speaking about his true personality, the way he reacts in situations and his interests and hobbies and other personal traits. In the end of the poem, Richard Cory "put a bullet through his head", possibly implying that he was unhappy with his life. An outsider who was simply observing the way he appeared in public would not have expected the shocking decision Richard made on that summer night, whereas an insider would have been able to understand and perhaps learn about his unhappiness and difficulties. An insider may have been able to consult Richard Cory about his difficulties and how to cope with them without ending is life. An outsider, on the other hand, can only see what their eyes retain and are not able to change the outcome.
In conclusion, an outsider means to be someone who is (at times) unintentionally trapped on the outside of a person or situation, only seeing the directly physical aspects of what is observed. They are not able to go deeper into their understanding for a certain subject, as they are not able to learn more about the topic itself. However, an insider is quite the opposite. An insider is able to search deeper into a person or situation, and as a result can sympathize or even relate with what is happening. They are able and in addition willing to discover more about what surrounds them.
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Trust thyself
"To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, -- that is genius. Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. "
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
I believe that Emerson is advocating that believing in your own beliefs and thoughts and standing firm in your opinions is very crucial. If you yourself cannot believe what you think, then there is no way that you can have the confidence to act out the beliefs that you have placed in yourself. You have to act out upon your own thoughts that make you an individual as nobody else can do it for you.
Through my personal experience, I have faced certain challenges that required me to think about my interests and qualities before making a decision. A choice in specific would be continuing to piano for level 10, or dropping out to focus on school work. After spending multiple weeks debating in my mind, I came to a realization that I would prefer to not continue into the last level of piano. After I made my initial choice, I began to wonder if I had chosen correctly, and if I would regret it later on. But after a few days, it settled in that I had done the right thing because I trusted my own thoughts. Because of the dropping of my piano, I am now able to focus more on school and volunteering with a much lighter workload, not having to incoroporate the stress of piano and its required theory/history examinations.
If I had followed what some others told me and continued in piano, perhaps I would be suffering through a higher stress level today. But because of my decision to stick to my instinct, my initial thoughts, I am confident in my choice and do not regret it.
By believing in your own thoughts, you can help guide your life and your choices to suit yourself better; almost better than anyone else can do for you. Although at times the trust you put in yourself may lead you to the less practical choice, you can learn from mistakes and build your character, and develop your thoughts even more. Listening to others' thoughts and beliefs is good, taking their opinions into consideration is great. But do not let others' ideas overtake your ow as your thoughts will in the end balance out who you are.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
I believe that Emerson is advocating that believing in your own beliefs and thoughts and standing firm in your opinions is very crucial. If you yourself cannot believe what you think, then there is no way that you can have the confidence to act out the beliefs that you have placed in yourself. You have to act out upon your own thoughts that make you an individual as nobody else can do it for you.
Through my personal experience, I have faced certain challenges that required me to think about my interests and qualities before making a decision. A choice in specific would be continuing to piano for level 10, or dropping out to focus on school work. After spending multiple weeks debating in my mind, I came to a realization that I would prefer to not continue into the last level of piano. After I made my initial choice, I began to wonder if I had chosen correctly, and if I would regret it later on. But after a few days, it settled in that I had done the right thing because I trusted my own thoughts. Because of the dropping of my piano, I am now able to focus more on school and volunteering with a much lighter workload, not having to incoroporate the stress of piano and its required theory/history examinations.
If I had followed what some others told me and continued in piano, perhaps I would be suffering through a higher stress level today. But because of my decision to stick to my instinct, my initial thoughts, I am confident in my choice and do not regret it.
By believing in your own thoughts, you can help guide your life and your choices to suit yourself better; almost better than anyone else can do for you. Although at times the trust you put in yourself may lead you to the less practical choice, you can learn from mistakes and build your character, and develop your thoughts even more. Listening to others' thoughts and beliefs is good, taking their opinions into consideration is great. But do not let others' ideas overtake your ow as your thoughts will in the end balance out who you are.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)