What I did was focus on two main quotes from Emerson in his "Friendship" chapter:
"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
"A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud."
Then, while reading through my annotations in my book, I saw that this quote fit perfectly:
"The other element of friendship is tenderness."
What I did was seek advice from people. I was going through a time of confusion and I needed some opinions on my problem. I was only able to to be an Emersonian friend with those who I've grown to know and trust fully. I told them what was going on in complete sincerity and detail, maybe a little too much because some details I could've kept to myself, but I was able to trust my friends well enough. I thought I was being a bit stupid for making such assumptions, but they seemed to be fine with it and they actually helped me out. Usually there would be a laugh for being pathetic but it was not like that. Once I saw how gracious and helpful my friends were being, not only did I notice Emerson's quote about how friendship requires tenderness, but I saw that my friends were being Emersonian friends without even realizing it. I can safely say that there's a tendency to become an Emersonian friend.
In addition to what I did as an Emersonian friend, I focused on this quote:
"My friend gives me entertainment without requiring any stipulation on my part."
I did not experience any time where I had entertained someone and had not received appreciation for my actions. It was hard because every time I would entertain someone, I expected a smile or a laugh back. So, you may say that I failed at this, but I believe that friendship is not mainly about receiving unconditional positive regard, it is a mutual deal where there's an exchange in approval and entertainment. Emerson is certainly right in his concept that friends shouldn't expect an act of appreciation back, but the friend would like one.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Nature Experiment
"The incommunicable trees begin to persuade us to live with them, and quit our life of solemn trifles." With that simple, brief, yet highly meaningful passage from Emerson, he explains the basis of what we should do to have a communal experience with nature. We must connect with nature and simply understand her. The "trees", though incommunicable, tell us to be one with them and forget all of society's stresses and society itself.
I must admit that I had a hard time detaching myself from all my worries I had from school, friends, etc. There were times where I managed to forget all that and just listen to nature. I ignored the airplane sounds and viewed all that was beautiful and majestic. I was in sound with nature and it was so comforting I might as well do it again because of that warm feeling it gives you. Since I'm not a real meditator (mainly because I get distracted easily), I wasn't able to understand nature fully but I was able to connect with it and enjoy the, "... plain treasures, kindly and native to us."
I must admit that I had a hard time detaching myself from all my worries I had from school, friends, etc. There were times where I managed to forget all that and just listen to nature. I ignored the airplane sounds and viewed all that was beautiful and majestic. I was in sound with nature and it was so comforting I might as well do it again because of that warm feeling it gives you. Since I'm not a real meditator (mainly because I get distracted easily), I wasn't able to understand nature fully but I was able to connect with it and enjoy the, "... plain treasures, kindly and native to us."
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Self-Reliance
“What I must do, is all that concerns me, not what other people think.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Other people’s opinions shouldn’t be the basis of our decisions.” – Paraphrase of above quote
I interpreted this quote in three similar yet different approaches, two that I can relate to, and one that I haven’t experienced: You should never be forced to do something you should not do, you should not be afraid to do what you want to do even though someone may say something, and you must focus on what you have to do and not care about what other people say.
To not sound ironic, I’ll speak in the first person. I should never be forced to do something I should not do. I should not be swayed into playing basketball even though my knee is still healing. It’s a common concept found in everyday life and those who master this concept make their own decisions based on what they believe is right. I have trouble mastering this idea because I’m still young and willing to take risks. If I don’t play basketball, then I let down my friends, and since I hate that, I’m forced to succumb. This is not a strong example of this point but take into consideration those who are persecuted for their religious beliefs. Those who renounce their religion do not live by this concept, but those who do, die never having been forced to do anything. They are true masters of self-reliance.
It is true that society has influenced our everyday decisions. When we put something on, we ask ourselves, “Will people like what I wear?” and when people you don’t normally talk to have taken a spot where you like to sit, you tend to find somewhere else to sit. It is hard not to abide by society’s “will” so you don’t look foolish. Emerson says that we do should not be concerned about what other people might think of you. So, when you ask yourself what to wear, you simply choose what you like and not care what other people say and when someone has taken your usual “spot”, you should sit there and not be afraid of what people may say. Again, these are not strong examples but take into consideration those who are never able to speak out because they’re afraid of what people may say. Only those who break out of their shells truly know self-reliance.
You must focus on what you have to do, and not care what other people say about it. If someone says it’s immoral, but you have to do it in order to protect your family for example, do not care about what they think. This is a similar point that Garcia Marquez made in his story “Siesta del Martes” where the suffering mother had told her son to never steal unless necessary. The son does steal and carries out his duties as the man of the family.
In conclusion, Emerson’s quote about self-reliance conveys the idea that we should do what we feel is right, not what society says is right. True masters of this concept live a stronger life hardly based on society’s thoughts and beliefs.
“Other people’s opinions shouldn’t be the basis of our decisions.” – Paraphrase of above quote
I interpreted this quote in three similar yet different approaches, two that I can relate to, and one that I haven’t experienced: You should never be forced to do something you should not do, you should not be afraid to do what you want to do even though someone may say something, and you must focus on what you have to do and not care about what other people say.
To not sound ironic, I’ll speak in the first person. I should never be forced to do something I should not do. I should not be swayed into playing basketball even though my knee is still healing. It’s a common concept found in everyday life and those who master this concept make their own decisions based on what they believe is right. I have trouble mastering this idea because I’m still young and willing to take risks. If I don’t play basketball, then I let down my friends, and since I hate that, I’m forced to succumb. This is not a strong example of this point but take into consideration those who are persecuted for their religious beliefs. Those who renounce their religion do not live by this concept, but those who do, die never having been forced to do anything. They are true masters of self-reliance.
It is true that society has influenced our everyday decisions. When we put something on, we ask ourselves, “Will people like what I wear?” and when people you don’t normally talk to have taken a spot where you like to sit, you tend to find somewhere else to sit. It is hard not to abide by society’s “will” so you don’t look foolish. Emerson says that we do should not be concerned about what other people might think of you. So, when you ask yourself what to wear, you simply choose what you like and not care what other people say and when someone has taken your usual “spot”, you should sit there and not be afraid of what people may say. Again, these are not strong examples but take into consideration those who are never able to speak out because they’re afraid of what people may say. Only those who break out of their shells truly know self-reliance.
You must focus on what you have to do, and not care what other people say about it. If someone says it’s immoral, but you have to do it in order to protect your family for example, do not care about what they think. This is a similar point that Garcia Marquez made in his story “Siesta del Martes” where the suffering mother had told her son to never steal unless necessary. The son does steal and carries out his duties as the man of the family.
In conclusion, Emerson’s quote about self-reliance conveys the idea that we should do what we feel is right, not what society says is right. True masters of this concept live a stronger life hardly based on society’s thoughts and beliefs.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Gifts
“Gifts” Answers
1. According to Emerson, the only gift, “…is a portion of thyself.” This means that only personal gifts should be given. Gifts should, “…represent your life and talent.” So thus, buying a gift isn’t ideal, while making a gift is more personal and full of meaning. Another good point is that you should give a gift without needing to see a satisfied reaction from the receiver.
Also according to Emerson, you should not show emotion of satisfaction or disappointment when receiving a gift. You should also never say thanks and never praise the one who gives you a gift.
2. Emerson talks about how we, the people, don’t understand the real concept of a gift. He even puts himself as an example in his points and shows us that it’s human to make mistakes when giving gifts. He also says that we accuse society if it does not give us, “…opportunity, love, reverence, and objects of veneration.”
3. Emerson uses real examples that we can connect with to understand that he’s critiquing our misunderstanding of the meaning of gifts. He tells us about how some people buy gifts that lack significance and value. He mentions how, “They eat your service like apples and leave you out.” What he’s saying is that we overvalue the effects of giving a gift to someone, and in return, we don’t get anything back. In conclusion, Emerson made it clear that gifts are to be understood well.
Statement with Personal Example”
“The only gift is a portion of thyself”
Hugs would be a good example for an Emersonian gift, but, you don't give that to someone as a birthday present. You give a portion of your love to the hugged one and in return, they hug you back and you don’t feel left out like Emerson’s example of apples. You would give the gift of a hug when they make you happy, or if they need some consolation. I would get a slap in the face if that was my excuse for a birthday present, so, learn from this piece of wisdom, even though it might not be as insightful as Emerson's pieces of wisdom.
1. According to Emerson, the only gift, “…is a portion of thyself.” This means that only personal gifts should be given. Gifts should, “…represent your life and talent.” So thus, buying a gift isn’t ideal, while making a gift is more personal and full of meaning. Another good point is that you should give a gift without needing to see a satisfied reaction from the receiver.
Also according to Emerson, you should not show emotion of satisfaction or disappointment when receiving a gift. You should also never say thanks and never praise the one who gives you a gift.
2. Emerson talks about how we, the people, don’t understand the real concept of a gift. He even puts himself as an example in his points and shows us that it’s human to make mistakes when giving gifts. He also says that we accuse society if it does not give us, “…opportunity, love, reverence, and objects of veneration.”
3. Emerson uses real examples that we can connect with to understand that he’s critiquing our misunderstanding of the meaning of gifts. He tells us about how some people buy gifts that lack significance and value. He mentions how, “They eat your service like apples and leave you out.” What he’s saying is that we overvalue the effects of giving a gift to someone, and in return, we don’t get anything back. In conclusion, Emerson made it clear that gifts are to be understood well.
Statement with Personal Example”
“The only gift is a portion of thyself”
Hugs would be a good example for an Emersonian gift, but, you don't give that to someone as a birthday present. You give a portion of your love to the hugged one and in return, they hug you back and you don’t feel left out like Emerson’s example of apples. You would give the gift of a hug when they make you happy, or if they need some consolation. I would get a slap in the face if that was my excuse for a birthday present, so, learn from this piece of wisdom, even though it might not be as insightful as Emerson's pieces of wisdom.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
