Please read this blog carefully and consider your thoughts and your responses for a bit before answering.
Passion. Courage. Conviction. These words are largely subjective, completely abstract, and open to interpretation; therefore, they are also indefinable in traditional senses. But, I would like you to look them up before you answer this week's blog question. Once you do that, consider the following:
What is it in your own life, this life that you have been given, that you think you would die for? Do the three words play into your answer in any way? If you need a more solid jumping-off point, ask yourself this: given the denotation of the words passion, courage and conviction what is it in your life that can inspire these seemingly esoteric concepts?
What is your passion; what gives you courage; about what do you hold an unshakeable conviction?
Once you answer those questions, go back to the original--what would you die for? Do your answers to the second set of questions fall in line with the first? Do you think there should be things you would die for? Why or why not?
Finally, do you think the natural follow-up to this question should be: What do you live for? I sort of do...so....yeah. Talk about that, too. Are what you'd die for and what you live for the same? Why or why not? What does that tell you? So.....many...questions... better get started. :)
Be true to yourself and answer these questions in the best way you know how.
This is the first blog post that made me uncomfortable while reading it, knowing that I would have to somehow come up with an answer and post it. However, I was able to comfort myself after my reading because I know that I will be able to use my command of the English language to dodge the question. Well, in order to die for something, one would have to be alive, so the question also asks, “Do you feel alive?” because if one does not feel alive, then he or she cannot really die for something.
ReplyDeleteTo paraphrase the great Christopher Sopuch when he was asked when his birthday was (I am paraphrasing because I do not know the exact quote because there is just so much philosophy that flies out of the guy’s mouth on a daily basis that it is hard to remember all of it exactly), “Robots do not have birthdays, they have manufacturing dates. I am an econ robot and all I know how to do is economics.” I can relate to that, although economics does not make me feel alive as it does to Mr. Sopuch. I also only partially relate to Mr. Sopuch’s being a robot, but I can fully relate to not having a birthday, and thus feeling more “manufactured” than “born”. This introduces the question, “Can robots, or those that feel lifeless, die?” According to me, I died when I entered high school. I contracted some disease in third grade and it metastasized into an uncomfortable malignant tumor in seventh grade and I died a slow, painful death in ninth grade. Today, I am not a lifeless econ robot like Mr. Sopuch, I am a lifeless life robot, forced to live life for the sake of being alive, and thus, not being alive at all. (I want to quote Nietzsche so badly, but I know I do it too much! It is probably because the philosopher is basically God, so I have a bunch of his divine words floating around my head at any given time of the day. Whatever; I will quote him.) Friedrich Nietzsche defined life when he said, “To live is to suffer. To survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.” Therefore, according to one of the most influential philosophers who has ever walked the Earth, I am living, but not surviving, and I wonder, “how long must one not survive until he stops living (in Nietzsche’s definitions of the words)?” So, to bring this discussion back to the original question, I cannot die for anything because I would have to feel alive to do so, and I do not; and even if I use Nietzsche’s definition of “life”, I would be living, but my death for something would be meaningless because my lack of “survival” would eventually end my life anyway.
In addressing the next question regarding passion, courage, and conviction, my answer gets somewhat depressing. Google told me that passion is a “strong and barely controllable emotion”, but that definition makes me uncomfortable, forcing me, down the road, to define “love”, so I will go with the second Google definition: “the suffering and death of Jesus” (and/or Kanye West). My passion involves my life, my suffering, and my death, my lack of survival. However, I am not a martyr like Jesus or Kanye; I am not weighted down by a cross or supermassive ego during my trek to the crucifixion site, but, like Jesus and Kanye West, there are people forcing me along the way, encouraging me to hop up onto whatever it is that will execute my execution (the cross for Jesus), but, unlike Jesus, those people are not really people, but the lack thereof, and when a real person shows up, if one ever does, I do not notice.
Thankfully, my answer to the “what gives you courage” question is much shorter than the passion one: I do not have courage because I have no strength in the face of pain or grief because I see no point in having strength rather than welcoming the pain or grief into my sorry half-attempt at “life”. Ergo, I cannot die for what I have courage for as I do not have any.
I am a stubborn person, so I have many convictions: God never existed; “God” is dead as the “God of the Gaps” is closing; the most effective political position is the one that aligns with Peter Kropotkin’s idea of anarcho-socialism; the most effective economic position is the one that aligns with Jacque Fresco’s idea of a resource-based economy; love is nothing more than what chemistry, biology, and psychology tell us it is; the United States is a terrorist state, not much better than the Islamic ones it blows up; the United States is not a democracy or republic, but an oligarchy; the most noble pursuits in life lie in the fields of science and mathematics, along with the arts, while pursuits in politics (politics in favor of the political machine and institutions), the military, and business are disgraceful; knowledge should be pursued intrinsically, rather than extrinsically; authority should never be respected for the sake of respecting authority; there is no meaning of “life” beyond the realms of reality; there is no supernatural, but only that which is not currently understood; there is not ultimate truth outside of what is physically perceivable; humans are not inherently evil, but society makes them that way; humans are inherently stupid, but society should strive to free them of their ignorance; no one is entitled to an opinion without first doing research; the purpose of today’s schools is to promote ignorance in order to bring about an ignorance, blindly patriotic electorate; jingoism is never a good thing; the preservation of the environment is more important than the preservation of the human race; funding for scientific research is never funding wasted, unless it is for military purposes; no one, not even police, should have access to firearms; film is the highest form of art, surpassing literature, music, and paintings, etc; “2001: A Space Odyssey” is the greatest film ever created and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is the most overrated; the list goes on and on.
DeleteHowever, I would not call those convictions “unshakable”: if I were to see “Citizen Kane” (which I have), and come to the conclusion that is is worse than “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, I would change my conviction to “ “Citizen Kane” is the most overrated film” (which it isn’t). The same goes for my other convictions; I welcome changes in thought. In fact, another one of my convictions is that no one should hold unshakable convictions. If God rearranges the stars to spell out “I am here”, I will change my beliefs accordingly, but, as of right now, my convictions are as previously stated, and I would not die for any of them because they are changeable, but I would consider using them as an excuse to die.
I do not have an opinion of whether or not there should be things to die for. If one cares that much about something, like democracy, and is willing to die for it, whatever; I do not care. In fact, when it comes to “dying for your country”, I encourage it as it helps remove stupidity from gene pool (that is extremely mean, but, to elaborate, I would rather teach stupid people how to be less stupid before I would throw them onto a battlefield to be blown up). Life is an accident; if you have life, you it as you may, just keep it to yourself if you want to do something dumb.
I do not think the natural follow up question should be “what do you live for” because I already hinted at the answer to that question: in one interpretation, I am not alive; in another, I am living for the sake of being alive, and, thus, am not surviving. This is related to, but not the same as, what I would die for, so what does this say about me? I do not really know; maybe my brain is just low on serotonin or norepinephrine; maybe this means nothing as I do not matter; maybe it is a combination of both. It is a combination of both.
It takes a lot of passion, conviction, and courage to put something before your own life. But, maybe you would do that if you don’t value your life as much as you should.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should know my passion or what gives me courage or what I know for sure but I don’t and I really don’t and I wish I did. I don’t even know what makes me happy and I am terrible at making decisions out of the fear of not being happy or not being enough or losing what I have. I don’t know. Why would you give me this blog?
But, I guess I will try :( I think you hate me.
ANYWHO, my passion? I love love helping people, making people feel like they got somebody, making them feel warm or whatever. Of course, never in the way I have to touch people. But, my passion is people. How they feel, why they do what they do, what makes them them, and I want to understand. I want to live lives I have never lived. I want to meet people that have no ties from where I’m from and get that and comprehend that. Everyone deserves to be heard and I’m all ears. I don’t know. I want to understand and learn. Learn something that comes from living, and not just from a piece of paper or some boul with a degree. I want to learn from people with nothing and with everything or just have something. My passion is doing something, being somebody, and understand a bunch of people. Is that a passion? The study of homosapiens???
I guess this goes into what gives me courage- Experience, Knowledge? I don’t mean experience as in doing what I fear a couple times. I mean true and real experience. Experience that gave me unforgettable knowledge. I actually am not sure what I’m typing.
I don’t really hold much as an unshakeable conviction...I don’t think anything for sure is true. I can’t. I looked back at my seven creeds and I said the same thing in one. The language we use, the ideas we have, the things we hold, the things we do-most man made. We made that shit up. So how do you believe something when you made it up. Numbers? Made up. Letters? Made up. So all the ideas and concepts and theorems that stem from just those two things are not real.
Maybe I think if I were to die for something-it would have to be that moment. It would have to be real. Maybe I don’t know what I live for either since I’m so skeptical about my passions, aspirations, everything really. Maybe in fear of fucking up. So I live in fear taking place of what I should be living for. That’s balls. I guess I would die for others. In the place of the people that I see potential (which is pretty much everyone I like/love/a few I dislike..). But I think everyone has potential. I don’t know. Something to be great. I value my life, but most people have aspirations meaning they have more potential prolly instead of wandering like me-lost. Death is hard. For anyone. You would have to really value a life before your own and that’s hard and if it’s not then that’s scary.
ANYWAYS. Sorry.
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ReplyDeleteI pride myself in my extraordinary ability to work hard under a minuscule amount of time. Procrastination. However, due to the boundless amount of studying that I must endure over the following weeks, my procrastination has evolved into healthy time management; which is why I am (not) gladly one of the first posters (victims).
ReplyDeleteFamily and Friends. As typical, trite, cliché as it may sound, my: Agape, philos, eros love [Google is a great tool for searching unknown or unfamiliar words.] towards my loved ones is unbreakable. The bonds are inseparable. I tie the thread that represents my life so tightly around the threads of those I care about in hopes that our lives will forever stay intertwined.
Why is this the case?
Most people that know me can comprehend how strong—how passionate, I feel towards certain aspects of life. One of them happens to be my relation between friends and family. I would die for any of them. (When I say “Friends and Family” that implies only my closest ones. Just for the record.) What most likely attributed to that fact is that the Filipino culture is so similar to my ideal, my conviction.
The Filipino culture purely enjoys the time spent with others. And if the myriad of Filipino parties in Cedar Point doesn’t suffice as an explanation, let me elaborate on my memories of the Philippines. There was always a party. It was always me and my cousins or friends on the side as my parents made conversation and drank until they were, as they told me, “sleepy.” Now, as a complete side note, this phenomenon acts as a basis as to why I don’t prefer to date Asians. As Bunje said (probably quoted from someone else), “Familiarity Breeds Contempt.”
Thus, I feel as though people should have something to die for. Something that they can hold so dear and never want to let go. Having something like that gives a person courage and reason. Reason to live. Reason to love. Reason to laugh. Reason to run blindly into the fray of AP Exams when one might as well just work as a stripper. (I refer to Bryan of course.)
What does this tell me?
I’m too unselfish for my own good. Probably unrealistic.
But it also shows that I love the way I live. I would have been driven mad by feelings of obligation and dependence if I didn’t love what I do, and how I do it. In the words of Glarly Barkley, “Does that make me crazy? Possibly.” :)
That's supposed to say Gnarls Barkley...
DeleteI would die for my friends, family or a greater purpose. The three words “passion, courage and conviction” can be influence my answer because I am passionate about my convictions and therefore, I would die for them with courage. I love my family and friends and I also love helping others. Therefore, if dying meant saving others, I would do it. I would die for these because overall, I love them more than myself. It almost seems selfish to say that you wouldn’t die for your beliefs or for people and/or things that you love. I might die for my country if need be. This whole idea is quite frightening. I also feel like this is situational and depends on the severity of the case.
ReplyDeleteMy passion helping others and trying to live up to my full potential. This seems pretty average but it truthfully is what makes me happy. I am intrinsically motivated to do my best in everything. More specifically, I like to do my best to help those around me. It is really satisfying to help others who are less fortunate and to feel like you’ve made a difference. Other passions I have include eating and playing the piano (when not forced).
When I think about courage, confidence comes to mind. Usually something that takes courage also takes a lot of balls or risk. Therefore it is usually honorable when someone does something that takes courage. In my life, courage helps me move forward. I have the courage to take challenging courses, play sports and an instrument while also trying to balance a social life. For many of us, this courage is what makes us stand out from those who do not choose to take on such responsibility. Courage is a prominent trait in a leader or any other person who takes the initiative to be better than average, take a risk, or step up to the plate when no one else will.
Convictions are a tough topic for me. I know that I have beliefs and I always form an opinion when an issue is presented but, I can’t always pinpoint my specific beliefs. I believe in God, I believe in love, I believe in justice and I believe in equality. Other than that, I can’t really formulate a list of convictions unless I’m asked to take a position on a specific issue.
After considering my passions, courage and conviction, I still feel the same about my previous answer. In a summary, I would die for the things I love more than myself. I think it’s healthy to have things that you’d die for. If a person didn’t have anything that they’d die for then that would lead me to believe that they’re pretty self-centered. That person would probably lack passion, courage and convictions.
Other than the fact that I am physically living, I live for the things that make me happy. These things are the same things that I’d die for. Overall, my passion for my convictions and the people that I love give me courage to die but also to live.
The first thing that came to my mind when you mentioned “passion, courage, and conviction” was, what a surprise, feminism. I’m passionate about equality, courageous whenever the subject is brought up (it’s like the only thing I’d willingly get into conflict over), and it’s my most steadfast conviction- I may find it hard to believe in love and selflessness and the notion that there is an omnipotent being in the sky who created the mind-numbing labyrinth that is life, but there is not one doubt in my mind that every single human being deserves to have equal opportunities and rights.
ReplyDeleteBut would I die for it? My immediate response would be yes, of course; if presented with a situation in which my death would be a catalyst for greater liberation of oppressed groups, then how could I not? But this question gets trickier the more I sit here and think about how scared I am of death- the answer being shitless. No matter how much I want to believe that there’s “life after death” and “eternal paradise” and yadda yadda yadda, I can’t shake the thought that death is nothing but blackness, just a long-ass sleep without dreams (don’t get me wrong, I love sleep, but I also love food and consciousness?? Like doesn’t it freak you out that you will literally never eat anything ever again? man I’m gonna miss food when I’m dead). ANYWAY, thinking about death is scary, but I guess dying for a cause is better than dying for no reason at all, right? I mean I’m gonna die eventually, so why not die in the name of equality, even if that would mean hastening the process a bit? I also don’t really think I could live with myself if I ever declined an opportunity that would allow me to better the lives of others on the condition that I give my life, because what kind of person would that make me? If I’m as passionate about feminism as I claim to be, then I should be willing to sacrifice anything for it, including my own life.
If I were to die for anything at all, then that thing would definitely be feminism. But me dying for something I believe in doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone should have something they’d die for. Some people just aren’t passionate about one single thing; maybe their passion is spread more evenly over a wide array of things, resulting in mild devotion for a number of subjects and not one thing they’d feel strongly enough to die for. Other people might have a specific and ardent passion, but may value their own life over that passion, which is completely understandable, considering the terrifying reality of death. Passion is relative and circumstantial; only an individual can decide for themselves what that passion is worth.
What I’d die for and what I live for are the same; Feminism has given me a voice in a society that constantly seeks to marginalize not only my gender, but any individual who does not identify as a cis white male. It defines who I am as a person and gives me a guiding moral compass to help me navigate through society’s challenges. I stand for feminism and equality because if the oppressed don’t speak out about issues directly impacting them, then how will change ever become a reality?
The definition of passion is “strong and barely controllable emotion.” Perfectly worded in my opinion, besides the fact that everyone can have a different definition for this word. Passion is closely related to love, very similar as they both have do not have a true definition accepted by the world. Courage is “the ability to do something that frightens one.” In which in my interpretation is pretty correct considering when you do something courageous you are putting your foot down and facing your fears. The reason why it is not completely correct is because I do not think it has to frighten just you necessarily. I think you can do something courageous if it is frightened by others. Maybe in your eyes you won't be seen as courageous but through theirs you will be. When looking up the word conviction everything is related to court and the jury, but in my opinion you don't have to be declared guilty by the law in order to be convicted. So I came up with my own definition- being declared guilty of a criminal offense or act of injustice. To be ‘convicted’ you must be declared guilty. I just do not believe that the law can only declare you as being ‘convicted.’
ReplyDeleteI firmly believe my life will end up being dedicated to helping others. Simply because of the warmth I feel after doing this good act. That is also how I would like to go out- to use a euphemism for something I am not prepared to face yet. If I had the decision to how my plug should be pulled it would be in an attempt of saving another. For example, rescuing a child from a fire like brave firemen. The word that plays into this scenario is courage. And that is because I would need to stand up to a fear that probably most would not. But I would do it if I knew I could save a life. I would like to leave this way because it leaves a mark. I am seen as heroic and maybe it will inspire others to continue my legacy. Maybe it’ll teach kids to be kind to one another because you never know when they can leave this Earth. I would die to make this world we live in better. And I do not mean stop pollution, I mean the people. Unfortunately in the world we live in it takes a tragedy to bring people closer as a family. I would give my life if I knew the world would be a better place if I left.
I am not selfish, I want the best for everyone else. Of course I want the same for me, but that's not the point. Everyone is battling a different battle at home that I might not know of, so I think they would always come before me. And if everyone thought this way the world would be such a better place. Being able to make a difference gives me courage. Like maybe if I post this and someone reads it I can impact a life. Maybe if I write a OP of appreciation of my mom and Sierra others will learn to appreciate their significant others (in which I did). Being able to make a difference not only gives me courage but it also gives me hope. Hope that this world can go to a positive direction, not a negative one.
Although I would give up my life for this topic I have wrote about, there shouldn't be more than one thing you would give your life for. That is because a life cannot go to waste if it isn't for a good cause. A life is a life and that life should be valued. You only have one life, so why would you give it up? Giving up your life for something really takes courage. I think I can speak for all that we are frightened and curious of death. Curious for what happens after death.
I believe everyone is on Earth for a reason. Everyone lives for a reason. For example, if you say you're going to be a surgeon in high school and you become a surgeon, you were meant to save lives and help others. Same thing goes for psychologist. As for me, I live for others. When you're having a bad day, I'll bust my balls to try and make you smile. Just for a quick smile that to my head can last forever. Joy brings warmth. Warmth keeps everybody striving for their goals. And without any stupid distractions of depression or sadness, you can achieve your goals. I simply want to help you. I might not seem like it but I do. I am the person I am because of the satisfaction of knowing I helped another. That brings me joy.
DeleteYes I would die and live for others. I guess it's just because of the way I am. I don't look at things individually, I look at them in perspective of everyone or everything. I do not care for one person, I care for all. It's just the person I am.
Passion, courage, and conviction intertwined into each other to describe perfectly what you would live for or die for. You must be passionate about something, you must be courageous to go as far as dying for something, and you must love something so bad to be convicted as well. The first thing that came to mind when I read this blog, was that I would do anything for my family. They are the most important thing in my life and nothing will change that. Family is always first to me and I can not do anything without them. Therefore, I have a strong passion for them, I would do anything for them, even if it means getting convicted, I will still be there for them. However, there are other things I am passionate about. For example, I am passionate about lacrosse, but I would not die for it because at the end of the day, it is just a game, and no life is worth sacrificing for a game.
ReplyDeleteBut I am also passionate about being successful. You are only given one life, therefore I want to make the most of it and attempt to be as successful as I can be. But what comes with being successful, comes with some risks, and I am not the biggest fan of risks, but in order for me to be successful I must take some risks. Therefore, being successful gives me the courage to take risks instead of regrets. Although, I would not go as far as doing anything humanly possible to be successful to predetermine my future in prison; because nothing in life is worth breaking the law and possibly endangering somebody else to be successful.
To give ourselves the least bit of enjoyment in the world we live in, we have to make the most of it. That is why I live to be happy, successful, and unregretful. Now, the follow-up question to this was, “Are what you'd die for and what you live for the same?”. My answer to this is, yes, because my family brings me so much joy everyday.
There may or may not be things we should all die for. Honestly, that question is a personal preference to your lifestyle and morals. But as I said above, I would die for my family, but I would not die for lacrosse. Therefore, it depends on how you measure the importance of things. Nevertheless, most of us can agree that there is at least one thing all of us would die for.
I would die for what I love. I would give my life to someone I love if it meant they could live forever even though I wouldn’t be there. I love my parents. No matter how many fights we get into and how many times we yell at eachother I will always love them and I would die for them if I had to, and I know they would do the same for me. Living without them would kill me, I would not be able to live without them, not having them here is not an option. If I had to die just for them to live I would do it. I really would take a bullet or anything for them because I really do care for them so much.
ReplyDeletePassion is defined as a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Courage is defined as the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous. Conviction is defined as the feeling of being sure that what you believe or say is true. With this being said, I really am passionate toward my parents, I guess that's how you say it? Idk. Either way, I am passionate in the way that I care for them and, again, would do anything for them. I really could not envision my life without them there and I would never be the same without them there, they’re seriously a part of me, it sounds weird and so cheesy but I really think Francesca and Casper are the greatest people ever and would do anything for them. I do not have the courage to live without my parents. They really are my everything when it comes down to it and I know that they love me more than anyone else ever will, and living without that would virtually be impossible for me. My conviction is that I can absolutely not live without my parents, I strongly believe that and that will never change. I don’t even know how I’m going to be able to go off to college and not have them with me, let alone not have them at all. I have been blessed with the greatest parents I could ever ask for and I am very thankful for them.
What is my passion? Well I love cheerleading and it gives me courage to realize all it has taught me and the fact that I can do some pretty difficult things and continue to push myself to learn more difficult things. I strongly believe that cheerleading is the best sport ever. But considering I can no longer do flips and I can no longer even really cheer (you'll peep my next year flying at the football games though) I wouldn’t want to die for it. Even when I did do cheer I would never consider dying for it. I was nearly paralyzed from my back injury and after that I wouldn’t want to put myself in THAT much danger again. Cheer is pretty cool but I wouldn’t die for it.
Everyone should be so passionate about at least one thing that they could consider dying for it. If you’re not willing to die for something than what are you living for? Living to see or be with something you love should be something you would also die for if you had to. The reason I want to live is for my parents. “If you ever die I kill everyone in world then I die too” the lovely words of my mother!!! What she basically means is that if I were to die she would have to die too. My dad also says the same, but in more cohesive and proper english. I live for my parents because as much as I want them to be alive I know that for them to stay alive I need to stay alive. They need me to live just as much as I need them and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Like most people, I have certain people in my life that I would die for. My sister is the first person I think that I would die for. Amber has been by my side since I was little and she has always been my greatest role model. I would die for her because I know that she will do great things in life, so I know that my sacrifice won't be in vain. In my life, friends and family are what give me courage. I always feel more confident when I am around certain family members and my close friends.
ReplyDeleteIn my life, music inspires passion. Music always puts me in a good mood and inspires me, mainly when I’m writing the blogs. I feel that some artists put so much passion into a song, that it’s hard to not feel emotions. For example, “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley always puts me in a great mood because he’s saying that no matter what happens, everything will be alright. He incorporates so much positivity into the song, that it will put anyone into a good mood.
I just found out that I have a 2k test today due to the thunder and lightning and that made me realize that I have an unshakable conviction about them. I really hate doing a 2k test and I think that they’re pointless. A 2k test consists of killing yourself on an erg for 7 minutes and wondering why you are even doing it. There is more stress leading up to a 2k test than there is AP testing. Everyone on the team would rather row in the thunder and lightning instead of doing this test. I will never enjoy doing a 2k and they are the worst things in the world. If anyone can think of an excuse to get out of this let me know!
I have multiple answers to the second question, so it doesn’t all match up with the first. I think that the things we would die for help motivate us and keep us going. I try to make each day better than the last. Part of this strategy is making others’ lives better along the way, so I live to make others feel better. What I live for and what I would die for aren’t the same, and I think this means that I’m a well rounded person. I feel that the things that we die for and the things that we live for give us purpose, so if they were the same than I would have less purpose.
Passion, courage, and conviction. Oh gosh. I feel like my answer always changes when it comes these topics, but I’ll try my best not to stir away.
ReplyDeleteI love art, any form of art. But I don’t know if I would call that my passion. Sure, I have strong feelings towards it, but I have strong feelings towards traveling and running and stocks. And it’s not just one definite feeling either, it’s always mixed. Some days I love it, some days I just can’t put up with it. I feel like passion is something where your feelings DON’T change, it stays constant no matter how many times you go back to it. I always loved making sure people felt appreciated, loved, content. I always loved helping people and being their biggest supporter (or I like to call it, their “superfan”). That’s my passion. Just being there for others. And everytime I do it, the feeling just gets richer and richer.
I’m not a wimp, but nor am I a daredevil. I feel like courage goes hand-in-hand with confidence, and that, yea… I kind of lack. But it’s there, I know I have it. There are many things in life that, I feel, overlap one another, and courage is no exception. With courage comes love and happiness and all of these other aspects and qualities that make up who you are. In a way, you need passion to have courage and courage to have passion (I swear it sounded a lot better in my head). It takes a lot to do what you love. Because if not, then is your passion REALLY your passion?
I believe that everyone is here for a reason. I believe in forgiveness. I believe in God. And I believe that blueberry muffins are the greatest thing ever. Other than that, I can’t really say what’s right and what’s wrong. There’s so much in this world I have yet to discover, and because of that, I intend on keeping an open mind.
Death. It’s such a simple word, but yet, it’s feared by so many. Am I scared of death? Heck yea I am. Who isn’t? But I know it’ll eventually happen. I can’t be like Edward Cullen and live forever. I guess it’s just one of those things you have to accept. And you never know, with my family history, I’d probably end up as a ghost or something (I’ll still be around even when I’m dead! HA!) Which leads me to my next question: What, in my life, would I die for? As I’m sitting here at my kitchen table, eating a slice of pizza, trying to puzzle my mind for an answer, the only thing I can think of are my family and friends. I know, such a generic answer. But they all helped and shaped me in so many ways, I’m literally the person I am today because of them. I love them so so much. I would, as Bruno Mars puts it, “catch a grenade” for them. But then it got me thinking: what if I see a random kid playing on the street, about to get run over by a car… would I die for them too? The answer is yes (hopefully I don’t chicken out either). I may not have a cure for cancer, but this, this I can try to stop. The way I see it, if I can physically do something to stop them from dying, or if I’m given the opportunity to try, then that means they should be here, alive. Not dead (does that make sense, I hope it does). This poor kid, just goofing off outside, hasn’t even lived his life yet. He knew nothing. He’s innocent. What I’m trying to say is, he (or she) still has so much to offer, so much to share to the world. They shouldn’t have to die without getting the chance to make something out of themselves. Everyone deserves a chance to do at least that in their life. So, I guess that means I’ll “theoretically” (bc I’ve never been in this situation before and idk where my mindset will be and I’ll probably run away) die for anyone.
What do I live for? Honestly, I don’t even know. They’re so many answers. People? Blueberry muffins? For change? The answers are endless! All in all, I just take it one day at a time. I live to see the day, that’s what I live for.
This blog scares me because passion and conviction sound so filled with certainty, and nothing in life is certain except death. When I think about passion, I think about passionate love, which is an AP Psych term and woo AP Psych! But after that, passion to me is a feeling so strong it’s unexplainable. A feeling so strong that it physically makes you hurt, and you can feel your heart kind of squeezing in, but instead of dying from a heart attack because your cholesterol is too high, you’re really just passionate. When people ask me what my passion is, I never have an answer. I know next to nothing about myself, and everything I do know ends up being wrong, so in my life there’s no such thing as being sure. Even when I speak, I use a lot of “I think,” or “Maybe,” or “That sounds about right… but I don’t know.” This is why I could never be a teacher, because I would teach something and then turn around and go, “Yeah, but I’m not really sure so don’t take my word for it.” I think my perpetual uncertainty lies in the fact that I don’t want to be wrong. I put such a high value on getting things right that I always give myself a safety net just in case.
ReplyDeleteThus, it takes courage for me to have passion and conviction. The idea of going out and speaking with complete and utter certainty terrifies me. What if I’m wrong? Does my voice sound too assertive? What if people think I’m extra? Those are the fears that my amygdala (AP Psych!) create whenever I speak about something subjective. Frankly, I feel silly when I talk about having passion and conviction. It scares me that I may put a high value on something that others don’t give a second thought to. But for the sake of answering this blog question: My passion is being able to achieve something that could change the world for the better (like equality), my conviction is that men and women (and everyone in between) deserve equal rights and opportunities, and my courage comes from within. I can’t be certain about those, but I think that’s what they are. At least for now.
When it comes to what I would die for, my answer could go two ways. If I didn’t place a high value on my life, I would die for anything and anyone. If I did place a high value on my life, it would be harder to answer this question. I don’t know why this came to me, but I just realized that if I asked my mom this question, it would be easy for her to answer. My mom would die for her kids, AKA Thomas and I. And I can imagine her saying it right now; I can picture the signature Mama Pham look that she has, and I can hear her saying with her accent, “You and Thomas.” But I can’t imagine asking my dad this question. I more so imagine him knowing the answer to, “What do you live for?” and I can picture him driving his Honda Pilot blasting NPR, telling me, “I live for you and your brother.” I am very blessed to have parents who put me above all else, but sometimes I wonder if I’m worth it. And is it worth it? Giving my life up for something, only to shatter my parents’ hearts? And now I’ve come to the conclusion that giving up my life will only be worth it if I’m saving Thomas. He’s much smarter than me; he’s more ambitious and he’s more kind. Saving him would mean I would still fulfill my passion of making the world a better place, because Thomas Pham makes every place he walks into a better place. But if he’s the person I’d die for, my mom and dad are the people I would live for.
So in this entire blog post, I’ve rambled on about being uncertain, only to come up with one definitive answer and that is: I would die for Thomas Pham, and live for Mama and Papa Pham. Maybe that will change one day (I doubt it), but at this point in my life, it’s the most certain I can be.
It takes a great deal to make me feel deeply about things. I love field hockey and I put my life on the line every time dive to or towards the ball, but it's never something I thought about; I just do it as an instinct. I love my family of course three percent of the time, but I don't think I'd die for them. If I ever find something to feel strongly about, I'd rather live for it than die for it. Living for something means you and that thing that you're living for have purpose, and I believe that living out that purpose has so much more value than dying for it and taking the legacy with you. However, since I don't feel passionate, courageous or convicted about anything, I'm still looking for a purpose bigger than myself to live for.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm afraid, the only thing that gives me courage is the lack of courage in someone else. For example, my best friend is afraid of the dark, being home alone and crime shows. Therefore, I do everything in my power to not be afraid of those things, just to show her that she's going to be okay. I always participate in man hunt and hide in the darkest place there is. I always walk into a dark room first to show her that there's nothing to be afraid of. And I always make her watch "Criminal Minds" even though some of the episodes are surprising realistic and could happen to anyone. The actions of the people around me make me courageous.
As for my passion, I don't think I have a really good one. I'm passionate about field hockey because I feel as though without it, I'd have no purpose, but I also feel as though that's too strong of a description. I'm passionate about music and I love singing, but then again, music doesn't take that big of a impact on my life in order for it to be described as a passion. If anything, I am passionate about helping people. I love when people ask me for advice on things that I can actually help with because it just makes me feel good inside. Knowing that people benefited from something I told them or did for them gives me the feeling of satisfaction.
I hold on to the fact that people are placed in your life for a reason and that everyone has value. Everyone is crafted and created to carry out a secret purpose. No one can ever change these ideas for me because any other reasoning for all of us being here doesn't make sense; we aren't here just because. We are here because we've been called to do something.
I wouldn't die for any of these things; I'd much rather live for them. Dying for something and becoming a hero sounds like it's worth it, but what does it matter if you can't enjoy what you died for and bask in the glory of your heroism?
Since I'm not dying for anything, I'm going to live forever. Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.
I'm pretty sure I've talked about my family in almost every blog so far but they just mean the world to me. When I read the question, "what would you die for" I instantly knew that my answer was my family. When you love people so strongly you will do anything to make sure they are ok. That means that I would take a bullet for any one of my family members becuase I couldn't stand to see them get hurt. I would put my life on the line to protect them becuase of all that they've done for me. I have a passion for my family and strive each day to make them happy. My passion is seeing my family happy and making sure they know they are loved. I live to make them smile and I enjoy every precious moment with them. There came I time in my life where I realized that your parents aren't here forever and you never know what day could be there last so from then on I tried to appreciate each day with them and tell them I love them. It takes courage to realize that your family might not be here forever but I have to use that courage to make me stronger. It takes courage to take a bullet for someone but if your taking the bullet for someone you love it makes it that much easier to do it. My family gives me courage and God himself. The bible says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And when I remember that very important scripture it reminds me that I have the courage to accomplish anything no matter how scary or big it is. Also with my family pushing me and letting me know I can do anything I put my mind to reminds me that I really can. The things people say to you everyday really can affect you and I think since my family is always encouraging me in a positive way I actually start to believe it and apply it to my everyday life.
ReplyDeleteI think that if someone has a person they truly love them they would feel like they would die for that person. It's normal to say that you would die for something but I think it only happens to people who have people they really love. Not only that, but some people will die for the things they believe in. They will die for love, or making the world a better place. Every person has that one passion that they would die for becuase it's that imperative to them.
The thing that I live for is the same thing I would die for which is my family. I live for my family and to make them happy and I'm so blessed that God made sure our family was a good one. In no way are we perfect but we definitely have love for each other like no other. There's days we argue and others day where we love each other's company but that's all the normal actions of family members . I'm happy to say that my family are my best friends and I can always catch a laugh when I need them. My family never turned their back on me , lied to me, or brought me down. All they do is pick me up when I'm down, love me and provide all the support I need. So I can say that I would die but I also live for my family and that shows me that my family is really important to me and I wouldn't know what to do without them.
Time and time again we see individuals who do the unthinkable out of passion, spite, whatever it might be, to prove a point, not only to his/her audience but to themselves. When going through the three terms, passion, courage, conviction it’s hard to pinpoint anything as such an unexperienced age. I don’t like change much, and probably won’t ever change even through the years but there is always this lurking question of “What if”.
ReplyDeletePassion for example, is something that, I think will take me a lifetime to figure out. Some people are naturally talented in the arts, singing, dancing, drawing and that is instantly their passion. I like a lot of things. But I haven’t found the one thing that I could fall over backwards for. The idea of dying for family could also fall under the category of passion or even conviction. It’s hard for me to say I could willingly give my life away in the place of another’s. Because it comes down to the moment. I have always been scared of a lot of things so it’s difficult for me to say that I would take a bullet for someone. However, I guess it’s different for parents, or so it seems. People who have kids, you often hear say would do anything for their kids. I don’t see it. I can’t imagine putting my life in risk, but I have not loved and cherished someone to that extent. Yet. And the more I think about it, I have always held the idea of a child dying before a parent or guardian the most eerie moments a person can go through, It’s haunting to witness, let alone personaly go through it. Maybe someday in the future I can find that yearning feeling that people have, to be able to willing to sacrifice themselves. I guess my opinion will change with experience.
Next we have courage. Brave souls put their life on the line because they believe their sacrifice is the greatest kind of honor they could ever achieve. This is yet another thing I cannot imagine putting my life in harm’s way. Inspiring people that believe in something so much that they literally put themselves on the front line to fight for their country. Just incredibly. I, myself could not even begin to fathom joining the military. As much as I am all about the USA, especially after spending a summer abroad in a less luxurious environment, I’m just not the type of person to serve their country. If I was forced into it….let’s just say that would not be a pretty sight and I probably wouldn’t make it through the rigorous, emotionless lifestyle they enforce many to take on. Although I don’t see myself as a person to choose that type of life path it doesn’t mean I cants see others who are capable. I understand the need to find a place to fit in. Sometimes the military is a great for finding one’s passion, conviction and mostly courage.
Conviction seems more theoretical to give an actual definition to. It’s just something people really, really whole-heartedly believe in. Some cause or movement that topples all others. Something that a person is rightfully stubborn about. I want to learn about more causes to fully grasp what I would actual die for. After an entire year (sort of ) of Lang I think I could proudly die for feminism. Although I am not a diehard fanatic, and have so much more to learn for myself before I can confidently give my life for the movement, it’s a start. There’s so many things, that I am sure to learn as I get older, meet new people and have new experiences.
ReplyDeleteTo be completely honest I don’t think I could die for anything/anyone just yet. That’s probably a horrible thing to say because I indeed do have a family but that’s just how I feel. I have always found that a child passing before either of his/her parents is truly the darkest thing that could happen. I guess it comes down to child and innocence and all that pathos, which come when bringing children into the picture of something as gruesome as death. Which brings me to the next question. There should be things I die for, family, a worthy conviction, etc. I want that unwavering hunger over anything that makes me do crazy things just to defend it. It shows a lot about a person like their loyalty, passion, and just their character as a person. I am positive that one day I will be able to say “I’d take a bullet for you”
Death has always been a very scary concept for me, and I don’t think I am brave enough to die for something/someone. In fact, I don’t think you should die for anything at all. Your own death shouldn’t be a solution to a problem; there are peaceful ways to solving a problem. I don’t believe in dying for your country or dying for a cause. Life is just so precious, and I don’t think anyone should have to give up theirs for the sake of others. Maybe that’s just me being naive and maybe you can't always go the peaceful route, but I want to live a world where conflicts are solved through debates and discussions, where people talk through their problems and compromise, rather than through self-sacrifice and violence, where people die preventable and unnecessary deaths. Of course there are situations where people are trapped in a cave, and the only options for them is to all die, or to sacrifice one person and the rest live. That type of scenario is a little different because death is part of both options, and the best choice would be to sacrifice one person, but it just sucks. Even though it is unrealistic, I want everyone to live long and prosperous lives.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said, part of having a long and prosperous life is being healthy. I don’t know much about taking care of your body, but what I do know is how to take care of your skin. In fact, you can say that skincare is my passion. People judge others based on looks, and because of that, your outer appearance can be linked to your confidence and happiness. If you like how you look, you’re going to be more happier and confident than if you didn’t. I’m passionate about skin care because it can help prevent or remove blemishes and keep you looking glowy. People who are insecure about their acne or discoloration or dryness can change their lives just by using skin care products that target those specific problems. Sticking to a skin care routine takes self-discipline and creates good habits. The ability to stick through with something can be used in other aspects of your life. And when confidence raises, people will have the power to believe in themselves and accomplish things that maybe they were too scared to do before. Insecurity is crippling, and despite it’s shortcomings, skin care has the power to at least help tackled people's insecurities about the condition of their skin.
I don’t know what gives me courage. I’m a scaredy cat who doesn’t have the courage to die for something else. I don’t like doing things for the first time by myself. Maybe I don’t have courage.
I don’t really live for anything. I don’t aspire to save the world or anything, I just want to live my life and enjoy the journey. If anything, I would aspire to save people’s faces, one pimple at a time.
At first, I had a difficult time answering this question. What would I die for? What exactly would I be so willing to die for? And I drew up a blank because I know that if I were ever in a situation where I could give my life up for someone or something else, I wouldn’t know if I could ever do so. But then after reading this question over and over again, I realized that I kept overlooking a key word; and that word is “think.” It’s such a simple word yet it changes the whole meaning of the question. Now it’s the concept of what I think and not what I would do.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of people that I think I would die for. Friends, family, the innocent. Friends are the obvious go-to answer due to the fact that I love my friends. Family is a must and would be my mother, father, brother, and five cousins since they are few that I am very close with. The innocent, which consists of any wide-eyed child in danger, as they have their whole lives ahead of them. But while I can name a bunch of people who I would give my life up for, there is only really one thing that would be able to lead to my demise. That intangible thing is love. I’m the type of person who would do anything (within reason) for those who I love, and many people who know me know that. So yes, passion, courage, and conviction do play a role in what I think I would die for. I have the passion for love. I think I have the courage to face my biggest fears for those who I care about as they give me the strength to push forward. I have the conviction that all innocence should be protected from the greater evils of the world.
Everyone should have an idea of what they would die for. Even if one knows that they would never be able to give their life up for something else, at least having a thought as to what would be worthy enough is a good thing. It gives one the drive to get through the scary stormy days in order to see the bright beautiful ones ahead. When one has something worth dying for, they have something worth living for. I easily live for my friends and family, but I think more than that, I live to help others. Helping people is one of my favorite things to do because it makes me feel like I’ve contributed something positive to the world around me. I feel better knowing that by helping someone with either something small or big, I can make their day just a bit easier and better. And maybe one day, when I die, it’d be because I was helping someone. And if that happens, I think I’d be okay with it.
I appreciate my life so much. There are not many things that I would die for. I know I would die for my family because I love all of them so much. They have all done plenty of wonderful things for me so far. Passion definitely ties into this decision because I have a great deal of passion for my family. There is certainly courage in dying for something you love, and I guess that conviction can tie in loosely.
ReplyDeleteMy passion is for my family. They constantly surprise me and I could not wish for a better family. Similarly, my family gives me courage. They help me to believe in myself. There are so many things I would have never done if it were not for my supportive family. I do not really know that I hold an unshakeable conviction about anything, yet.
My answers do line up very well. I think that there should be things that you would die for. This sort of marks the things that you cherish most in life. The things that I would die for and the things that I live for are the same, they are both family. Because they are the same, this tells me that family means the most to me.
Well, as suggested...I’ve looked up the three key words...
ReplyDeletePassion: a strong and barely controllable emotion.
Courage: strength in the face of pain or grief.
Conviction: a firmly held belief or opinion.
Onto the challenge: what would I die for? I was reading this blog out loud and upon reading the previous question, my sister decided to blurt out: “THE GREATER GOOD”. I had to take a second to process what “the greater good” had to do with anything and when I realized that she was referring to dying for “the greater good”, I came to the conclusion that I couldn’t do that. The reality of life is that I am one of over 7 billion human beings on this Earth. If I die trying to make a difference (in one way or the other), my death would be nearly insignificant compared to the number of others still living. It just wouldn’t make a difference. Pushing that thought aside, I know for sure that I would die for my family. Anecdote time! I remember hearing a story a long time ago about a man that gave up his life to save his wife and their unborn baby during a car accident. The man new that they would most likely all die if he didn’t sacrifice his own life and turned the car so that he received the worst injuries from the collision. Not only does this require immense courage and bravery, but it also makes a lasting impression. I don’t remember when, why, or how I heard this story, but I know that it frequently comes to mind and because of it, I am able to relate myself to this blog.
I know that I would die for my family in any situation. The possibilities for having to sacrifice myself are endless, but the first thing that comes to mind is the story of the man saving his pregnant wife from a fatal injury in a car accident. If I was in a situation similar (in any way) to the one described above, I would hope that my instincts would tell me to save my family first and foremost. My family, specifically my Mama, Daddy, and brother, are the reason I am alive and well today. I owe all of my luxuries and necessities to their hard work and to their love for my sister and I. Therefore, if a situation arises in which they are in serious danger, I would most certainly sacrifice my life for my loved ones, no matter how scary it sounds.
My passion...hmm...toughie. I’ve done numerous sports and activities throughout my life. But since the 4th grade, the one hobby that I have participated in consistently is: Choir. Yes, I played piano and yes I was in band (flute). I danced, did gymnastics and figure-skating, I play tennis, and I’m learning to pole vault, but I have been most (key-word) passionately involved in choir. As for courage...I don’t know that I have ever had to be courageous. I am fortunate to have been blessed with a great life and trust me - I know there will be hardships along the way that just can’t be prevented. But, as of now, I have not been uber-courageous because there hasn’t been a need to be. (I apologize for the passive voice...I really am sorry) And lastly...an unshakeable conviction. What do I “firmly believe”? I know that I try my hardest to be realistic and that, while it is okay to dream and fantasize about things that most likely will not occur, life is not puppy-dogs and rainbows. In one year and 20-something days, our class of 2017 will graduate high school and step into the “real world”. That is why I believe that being realistic about all aspects of life can and will prevent disappointments later in life.
My first answer seems to mildly correlate with the following three answers. My passion is choir/singing, and I haven’t been courageous, but being realistic could urge me to die for my family. I think that if everyone has a loved one in their life, they should be willing to sacrifice their own life for that loved one’s safety. Ideally, no one would have to die in tragic situations...but things happen and sometimes dying for a family member is worth the courage that it takes. And onto the next question...what do I live for? In a sense, what I would die for is identical to what I live for. I live for my family because I know that we love each other unconditionally and that love can help me get through a stressful week. I live for my Mama’s hugs just the same as I would die to save my Mama. But that’s not all! I live (and try to stay motivated) because I know that even though this immediate future may be stressful, tiring, and filled with nonsense...I have a lot to live for. I want to go to a good school and learn all about Physical Therapy. I want to become a Doctor and get a good job in that field, preferably somewhere in proximity to my brother in Florida. Eventually, I could get married and have kids and live a happy, peaceful life in the Sunshine State, or...even in the Garden State (I won’t be picky). As you can see, there are reasons for living and breathing and pushing myself through 26 more days of Junior year.
DeleteA person can have passion for many things. Personally, I’m passionate about being able to know the value and worth of something or someone. The most important is having self- value and knowing what you deserve. Many people our age struggle with knowing how they deserve to be treated. I am very passionate about knowing what value is. Whether it’s beliefs, or your favorite necklace, it’s important to value things or even ideas. One of the biggest things we all could have a little more of is courage. The courage to stand out and the courage to stand up for what we think is right. I wish it wasn’t a necessity to fit in, or at least I wish it wasn’t seen as one. I admire courageous people. I admire their strength to be courageous because it takes a lot to go against a crowd just to stick by what you believe in. People are so judgmental and sometimes I hate what the world is turning into. No matter what things you like or what you wear there’s always someone judging you. We all tear each other down in a way and we do it without even realizing. Self -acceptance is something I would die and live for because the one person you always need support from is yourself. So many great people are genuinely nice to everyone else but can’t seem to treat themselves the same way. They’re their own worst enemy. Self-acceptance is such an important quality to have and very few can say that they have it. Convictions are an important thing to have because it’s always important to believe in something. At any time in your life it’s important to have things that you support 100% no matter how many times people try to disagree with you or convince you that you’re wrong for believing in something. I never understood why everyone always had to be in each other’s business. It’s actually rather annoying if you ask me. People are so quick to judge others and their decisions but it’s not their decisions to make or live with so I don’t know why they think it affects them. My experience at high school has definitely helped me realize the things I value even if it’s been something that’s always had value. It’s always gave me opportunities to meet new people who I never thought I would be close with but I’m grateful that those people came into my life. Never judge a book by its cover because they could end up being exactly what you need. Everything happens for a reason and at this point in our lives we are starting to find ourselves which can be scary but it’s all about learning. Learning what kind of person you want to be and what kind of people you want to surround yourself with.
ReplyDeleteI would die if it meant I could save other people. My passion is people, plain and simple. I am passionate about helping people and understanding people and I believe that humans are the most amazing and important creatures to ever have been created, that is my unshakeable conviction. I believe humans are more valuable and important than animals and I think it is so important for people to take the time to understand others because we are the most complex creatures.
ReplyDeleteI have always had a passion for helping people and I often value other peoples lives more than my own because I sometimes believe they have more to live for. Like I said, I would give up my life if it meant I could someone else's. The people in my life give me an unexplainable amount of courage. I know people that have been through the worst situations you can imagine and they are so strong through it all. They never give up and when they get knocked down they get back up ten times stronger and they give me the courage to do the things I want without having to worry about the opinions of others. I am very thankful to be surrounded by such intelligent and courageous people because they are just constant reminders for me to never let people put me down and that I have the strength to get up and get fighting no matter what.
What I live for and what id die for are the same thing, yes. I live to see people grow as individuals and to see them prevail in the toughest of situations. Id die for someone to get the opportunity to do those things. It may not seem like it but people don’t get the amount of attention they deserve. People deserve more than they are given and should be able to get any type of help they need so they can build themselves back up. If people don’t help other people then how can this world be a better place?
The answer to this question, “what would you die for?”, is more complex than it sounds. For one, without some type of guarantee, it would be hard to know for sure if you would be able to sacrifice yourself for something. It’s easier to say you could die for something or someone but in truth, when at the final moment of decision between life or death, it would be hard to knowingly give your life. It comes down to the fact that there is no clear-cut way to define what one would die for but that it is more a matter of questioning what it is you are dying for and how your life will change the lives of others.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, I have things in mind that I believe would die for, such as my family, friends, beliefs and any innocents whom never got the chance at a decent kind of life. It takes a lot of courage to perform this heroic service. What you would die for should have a meaningful purpose; a purpose that could rightfully impact another’s life who is deserving of it. You shouldn’t go around and sacrifice your life for someone random because life is so precious and it shouldn’t be wasted for just anything or anyone that’s not worth your life.
My loved ones, including God, give me the courage to continue with this life, believing what I believe in, doing what I love to do, and being myself. Their support keeps me sane and keeps me going in this hectic world of mine.In addition, my beloved hobbies are apart of my passion and are what keeps me sane, along with my loved ones. My hobbies consist of sports, traveling, music and art. I get inspired by the lessons and ideas I get out in doing these things. They help me incorporate the lessons and ideas, beneficially, into everyday life. Love is greatly apart of my passion. To love could also mean to help others because you care to do so. I want love to flood this world so everyone and everything is happy and at peace.
As for “what I live for?”, I wouldn’t be able to answer that because I haven’t lived enough years in my life to know and understand why. So I guess as of right now, I’m just a clueless soul seeking for my answer.
Being that I'm afraid of death, whether it be my own or of others, I've been hesitant to answer this week’s blog. I'm going through the death of my great Uncle as we speak as he counts down his days to live in hospice. So, in order to answer this, I'm going to put myself in his shoes. If I were to think of something or someone so important to me that I would die for, it'd have to be for my family. Yeah, yeah, so cliche of me but if you know me or have read any of my past blogs, this is obvious. Whether I have to die to save their life, to keep them safe, for them to be able to eat, or have a roof over their head, or anything at all I would do it. But, knowing my family, they'd do the same for me so we'd probably go back and forth about who's going to die for who.
ReplyDeletePassion, courage, and conviction certainly play into what I would die for, maybe in different variations or situations but yes they do. My number one passion isn't necessarily my family, but truly have an uncontrollable feeling of love for my family. As for courage, I've definitely done things in my life in the face of pain or grief for my family, and I wish I couldn't say I've done this as many times as I've had, but I have been extremely strong for the sake of my family every time we lose a loved one and I am faced with pain and/ or grief. And conviction, this plays into what I'd die for the most. I firmly believe with my entire heart and soul that family matters the most. You can argue who you consider family but whoever they may be, I strongly believe that they are the most important people in your life and you must do whatever it takes to keep them safe, alive, and healthy.
Not all three words completely fall in line with what I'd die for, but my conviction does one hundred percent, and fifty percent of the other two do. Although it may not be a question everyone necessarily wants to answer or think about, including me, I think we should all have at least one thing we would die for. Like Bunj told us to ease us from AP exam anxiety, “to have a healthy fear is good, just a healthy amount.” Because if we don't have a healthy amount of everything, we won't be balanced. If you have things to die for, you have reasons and things to live for. If we didn't have anything to die for, then what are we living for, ya know?
That leads me to the next follow up question. I think you should have just as many things you'd live for that you'd also die for. They don't have to be the same things, even though mine are, but you should definitely have both no matter what they are. For me personally, what I'd live for is my family. Under the same circumstances as I stated above for what I'd die for complies with what I live for. I guess the reason these are the same is because to live and to die are the biggest extremes in life that are on opposite sides of the spectrum so the importance of them yield the same importance in what I would live and die for. This tells me that my family is certainly and truthfully the most important thing in my life no matter what.
Passion: Strong and barely controllable emotion. Intense sexual love. An intense desire or enthusiasm for something.
ReplyDeleteCourage: The ability to do something that frightens one. Strength in the face of pain or grief.
Conviction: A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense, made by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law. A firmly held belief or opinion.
Something in my life that I would die for is my family. Such as my mom, dad, and brother. I don’t think passion and courage play into my answer. But, conviction does. I strongly believe that family is an important part of someone’s life. I’m passionate towards animals, and caring for others. I can’t act proper near animals especially dogs. I go up to random people and ask to pet their dog haha. But I’m also passionate towards caring for others. No matter how hard I try to not care for people and (some people like he who shall not be named), I still care. It’s just who I am as a person, and I’m sure if that’s a good or bad thing. Crew gives me courage, I know, pretty cheesy. But in all honesty it really does. Not many people can handle and get through crew. The erg literally is hell. Usually when I’m on the erg I’m either dying, in pain because my whole entire body is jacked up, or I’m about to cry because I want to get off. Sometimes it’s all three. Anyways, crew is a super painful sport. During the painful times on the erg or just at practice in general, I still manage to get through everything. And lastly for conviction, it’s that family is an important aspect to one’s life. My two of my answers to the second question fall in line with what I would die for. I’m passionate for caring for others, therefore if something were to happen to one of my family members, but I care, I would do whatever I could for them. And then conviction, I believe that family is super important, thence- I would die for the people I care and love.
I think there should be things that people would die for. Because if there wasn’t, what’s the purpose of living? I live for again, my family. They mean the world to me, and all I mostly want to do is make them proud of me. What I’d die and live for are the same. I’m living/ dying for my family. It’s the most important thing in my life.
Passion, courage, conviction are three things I honestly have difficulty answering or explaining the role they play in my life. Maybe it’s because I’m young or simply just haven’t grasped the concept of life over death. A person who has for the most part inspired me and entertained me for the last 5 months has often mentioned these concepts. His name is Might Guy. For those of you that do not know him he is a character in Naruto who leads a group of genin called team guy. One of the lessons that Guy Sensei has taught me was to protect my nindo or ninja way, though I am not a ninja and do not exist in the Naruto universe I still think its relevant to the blog.
ReplyDeleteGuy Sensei is a master of taijutsu, he has mastered the most extreme form of taijutsu which is called the 8 inner gates. When the person using this opens the last gate, the gate of death they get a red haze around them which is their blood evaporating, then after a few short minutes of using this they die. Guy Sensei was first introduced to this form of taijutu when his father used it to protect him against the seven ninja swordsman of the Mist. He opened all 8 gates and was sure to die protecting his son, he explained to his son that you can only open the 8th gate if your using it to protect something precious too you.
Though I just talked about Naruto Guy Sensei has a point, its ok to give your life for something that is precious to you. There is no greater form of love than to give your life for someone, because it’s the ultimate sacrifice. Just as Guy’s father gave his life to protect his son, Guy then attempts to give his life for his student Rock Lee and the shinobi world.
Guy and his father both found something that they loved enough to give there life for, and maybe the reason I’m having difficulty with this blog is I haven’t found a single thing I am willing to give my life for but rather many little things such as my family, friends, and fellow Americans. That’s one of the many reason why I would like to join the military in hopes of protecting things that are precious to me.
Death and life are topics that I often think about and have somewhat strange views on. Life and death are two sides to the same coin both intervals that only exist to put limitations on ourselves. While you are alive you should work to build your legacy and when you are dead you become your legacy. Which indirectly answers the question is there life after death because the legacy you leave makes you alive to those who know about it.
What is my passion? I love writing about topics that seem important to me but irrelevant to others, and I hope that my writing will become the legacy that I leave behind. I honestly do not think that I fear death but rather not being remembered after I die. I just want to know that before I leave I will have left something of permanence.
What gives me courage? Well, simply my family, friends and country. All inspire me to go about my daily life trying to make change. Everyone goes through difficulty and honestly it’s the fact that people face difficulty and often conquer whatever difficulty they are facing.
What is my conviction? I was put on this earth for a reason, though I might not know what that reason is I have been gifted with having many people influence my life. I will achieve my purpose I just hope before my time comes I figure out what the purpose is.
My mom and my brother give me the courage to be my true self and follow my passions and for that, my strongest conviction in life is to always be there for them. Without a second thought I would die for my brother. That’s a cold fact. But I’m not sure what to do with a life or death situation with my mom. Both of us would want the other to survive. She also told me once that the two hardest deaths to grieve are the ones of your spouse/loved one and the ones of your children. Her heart might just shatter after losing such two important people in her life. I do not want her to suffer more, and I know she would be safe and sound in heaven, and she would see my dad again, so if a situation ever pops up, I will let her choose and I will be content either way. But I’m praying to God it never has to come to that.
ReplyDeleteI’m living right now for when I’m a financially stable human bean and I can go buy tickets to Broadway musicals anytime I want. I’m living right now for my future kids that I love so much. I’m living right now for The One. I’m living right now for Colombia and for the riddance of people’s preconceived ideas of the people there. I’m living right now for the next generation of kids to be in a world without wars. I’m living right now for my dad’s dreams of being an actor. I’m living right now for him smiling down upon me from Heaven with every step I take. I’m living right now to be a person my brother can look up to [Not grammatically correct but I’m in the moment and I can’t be bothered to change it]. I’m living right now to pay for my mom’s happy retirement when she will do whatever her heart desires.
Now that I think about it, I know I would die for my kids or for The One if a situation arises. But it is so much better to live for them. Dying as a sacrifice is a single decision in a single moment in time. But living for someone or something to come is something to decide with each new breath of life.
These answers told me what I already knew. My heart makes my decisions. Love is the most important thing to me. It is what I live for. It is what I would die for.
Passion- N. Strong and barely controllable emotion
ReplyDeleteCourage- N. The ability to do something frightening; strength in the face of pain or grief
Conviction- N. A firmly held belief or opinion
I think I would die for a lot of things. Ironically, a lot of those things double as the things I live for. I would chose death if it ultimately meant life for someone else. Although I refuse to admit it, I guess that’s because I don’t value myself as much as I value other people. I don’t think I need to admit it for anyone to know that about me. My decisions make it obvious. I would die if it meant someone would be heard. I would chase a story in Syria, fearlessly walk with oppressed women and children through the streets, make a statement whether I knew anyone would care or not, whether I knew anyone would remember or not. I would go after that whole-heartedly despite the inevitable death it promises. I would do it here too. Anywhere, really, on the off chance that one voice, otherwise unheard, would atleast be given a chance...would at least be given hope, a friend. That could change someone’s heart...a bystander, a victim, a soldier, a leader, anyone. If I steer just one heart away from evil and corruption and bitterness and sadness, than that alone is worth dying for.
It’s about passion and courage and conviction, yeah. I feel like I should go to the middle east. I’ve always felt that way. Anytime I watch the news, I feel that way. I want to understand the culture for what it really is not for how we portray it here. I want to connect with people there and act on my convictions against war. I want to bring them insight on us, as well. I just want to go there and talk with them, as insane as that sounds. I just want to help one voice be heard and change at least one perception and witness just one smile. I don’t know why I feel so strongly about it. I wish I did but I don’t. It’s more of a feeling, like I’m meant to go. Someone has to. And no one seems too willing as of late. So that’s the passion and courage. I firmly believe that war is an unnecessary evil, but believing that does nothing to change that it exists. Only acting on this conviction will produce change. Otherwise, I’m a bystander to war which would contradict what I believe. So that’s where conviction comes in.
DeleteI’m most passionate about helping people (sounds so cliche). I wish people saw things the way I do and I don’t mean “things” like controversies or anything. I mean, the physical things in the world like trees and the water and the ground. I don’t know if it’s because I’m trying to latch onto anything at all that makes me happy and as a result am looking way too deep into everything. I don’t know if it’s just drugs and old effects catching up with me. I don’t know if that’s what happens to the mind, or soul, after going through so much pain. But, whatever it is, I’m grateful for how I see things. I’m grateful that I find joy in such little things and never really in big things like relationships or money. The little things last the longest. Last at all.
I don’t think I have too much courage, day to day. If I do, it’s forced, really. It’s courage in the mental sense. Getting through things and still maintaining sanity. But a lot of it’s an act. Smiling in front of people, laughing at jokes by default whether they’re actually funny or not because it’s the normal thing to do. Saying “good” whenever anyone asks how you are and asking them how they’re doing too as if they’re really going to answer any more honestly than you did. That could be called courage, but I wouldn’t call it that. That’s more like...surviving. Which is different than having courage. I think courage is being able to leave the pas in the past but take its lessons with you into the future. I think courage is being able to speak about your past without crying. I think courage is being okay with facing things instead of burying feelings under blankets of substances. I think courage is getting over it, but not too over it. I think courage is much bigger than strength because strength means holding on enough to get by whereas courage means getting the fuck back up completely.
I have a lot of convictions though. However, when I really start considering all sides of controversies I get stuck somewhere in the middle (despite how biased I write). I can sit there for hours going back and forth between pros and cons of a viewpoint.
Anyway, I believe:
Everyone has something to offer
Everyone is beautiful
“Everybody’s somebody’s everything”
Everyone, no matter what gender, deserves equal respect
Peace can solve more problems than war, but only when peace is mutual
Everyone’s afraid to die to some degree
Everyone’s afraid to live to some degree
Love between two people is a myth
These are the only things I can truly defend despite evidence against my position.
There should be things you are willing to die for because that means equally, that you’re willing to live for them too. That’s how you know something was made for you to see. That’s how you know you were made to see something for some reason. It reminds you of purpose. In every sense.
Julian Hodge
ReplyDeleteAP Language
Ms. Bunje
May 4, 2016
To die for someone is for some people, a very hard pill to swallow but for me it is quite the contrary. To first be willing to give your life you must realize your individual value. When realizing your value you can then accept giving all of that for someone else. You cannot be sad or depressed because then dying is only a release of your pain, and that defeats the purpose of the selfless act. Giving up your life, as courageous as it sounds isn’t for the giver but is for the receiver. When a life is given for another it allows the receiver to realize their own value because someone else had a precious life to live, and they gave that away for you. The receiver either grieves for that person or realizes the bigger picture, the fire set to live a purpose that the giver thought was worth dying for.
The top three people that I would die for are my sister, Ashauna, my grandmother, Esther, and my best friend, Ameena. These three people that have been so graciously given to me are a blessing to my life in ways that I cannot even fathom. Without these three individuals I don’t know who I would turn to when I needed help the most or who I could go to for advice, or help with homework, or anything. My sister Ashauna is my pride and joy, she is the reason I smile and is a gem that could never be replaced by anyone. She encourages me to do well in school and she helps me see that I should show kindness and love to people who don’t even deserve it. Ashauna is one of my foundation family members that I could never live without not only because of my love for her but because of her inspiring drive to pursue her goals and purpose in life. For her I would give my life up in a heartbeat because I know that she would be sad for a little but use all those emotions to carry out a bigger purpose that would not only benefit her but others around her. In reference to courage, I believe that for my sister I wouldn’t need much of it because if I had to die for her it would almost be second nature.
My grandmother is another one of those people that I hold very close to my heart. She has always been there for me through whatever I needed and sometimes wanted. She was always soft spoken and even when she was invectively speaking to me about what I have done wrong she had a way of saying things that made you realize that you were wrong but also loved very much. My grandmother has been patient with me through any and anything, and my heart goes out to her for that. She always put others needs above her own, and if she could help you for a lifetime, she would. She has molded me and given me so much growing up that I almost feel a sense of conviction. I would give anything for her so that she could continue to help other people and live out her purpose, even if it meant giving my life for her.
The last person but certainly not least person is my best friend Ameena. She has been there for me since day one of seventh grade, and I can always depend on her for great advice or for a role model for confidence and self-love. Ameena has always been there for me and similar to my sister, she inspires me to be a better academic achiever. She is an amazing listener and she always knows how to keep it one hundred percent honest without making me feel completely horrible. What allows her to be such a good friend is to one show me compassion, and be a role model by living her life with morals. She is more of an influence on me than she realizes and it is for that reason that I would give my life for her. Giving my life for Ameena wouldn’t even compare to as much as she has given to me. My life to give is the least I can do
The one thing I am greatly passionate about, that I want most out of my life is to make a difference. I so badly want and need to leave a foot print somehow on this earth before I leave to feel complete. I feel like if you just live and go through the motions you aren't doing it right. Whether it's brightening someone's day or curing cancer I feel like everyone leaves a footprint one this earth. Whether big or small all I know is that I have a desire to leave a positive footprint behind me once I leave. Confidence has to be the number one thing that pushes me to do the things I'm scared to do, confidence gives me courage. Without confidence I would never have "found the balls" to do the things that scare me most. For one my passion to succeed as well as confidence gives me the courage to publicly speak. I know that if I want to get a good grade I have to present projects, read allowed and go up to read my own work even though I'm petrified. For my beliefs or convictions I can only stand firmly by a few. I one hundred percent believe in God, goodness in people, and that there should be equality amongst everyone.
ReplyDeleteWhat would I die for? hmmmmm… there are probably three things that I would die for. No doubt if I had to I would die for my family, friends and to replace the pain for others. I can honestly say I could die for both my best friends and family because I know if I had the chance to replace them and didn't and then had to live without them it would not be a life I would want to live. My friends and family mean everything to me and without them my life would be flipped upside down. Everyone has lost someone and felt the indescribable pain that comes after it. With every bone and muscle and whatever else is in my body I would love to take the pain and suffering away from someone. People change drastically after traumatic events and never return to who they used to be. If I could I would change that and give them back the light in their lives just to see them happy again. There definitely should be things you would die for in your life. If you don't have things that you love so greatly you would die for in your life then are you living life to the fullest? I would live and die for the same things. I would live for the things that make me happy which are my friends and family plus the beach:)))! Also I live to see others happy because that generates my own happiness. I live for the people that makes me happy, the places that make me happy and by doings things that make me happy.
In my life, I have been privileged with many things. Some very major, and the rest small things. I lowkey love the smaller things more, like having the money to order at Chicken Now or receiving an A in class. I wouldn’t say I would die for them tho; Most definitely live for them. Appreciate everything as much as possible and your life will be gravy, or a piece of cake, or any food item you prefer. I’m very hungry right now and that’s why I keep talking about food I’m sorry.
ReplyDeleteI was distracted when I wrote that first part at 5:27pm, I apologize.
Anyways, a current situation just sparked an idea and gave me something to write about in tonights blog. Ngl, I had no idea where I was going with this in the beginning of the day, but now I do so lets get started.
I would say, happiness is something to die for. And I’m not talking about rainbows and unicorns; I’m talking about meeting your goals, earning a good income, not having a shitty marriage, eating food from Chicken Now, etc. Why make goals and not try to meet them? Why earn minimum wage when you have an opportunity to go to school and have a career you always wanted? Why marry someone when you never intentionally planned on it while dating????? Why eat somewhere else in the food court when theres a $5 kids meal at Chicken Now thats amazingly awesome?? Please stop being content with life when you should be happy! Happiness is key and some of us still haven’t unlocked the door. (omg that was some really gay shit but oh well I said it and it sounded pretty good in my head). Idk if its just me but I notice myself kinda writing the same answers when it comes to emotional blogs like this. I guess its a sign from the universe telling me to actually take my advice bc tbh I’m not the happiest camper in the camp. I need to learn that I can’t truly LIVE until I’m happy. Maybe I’m thinking too far ahead. Maybe I’m still too young to earn a real income and too young to get married. But damn sure I can set goals for myself. My goal by the end of this school year is to: get out of my comfort zone and live.
Does anyone remember that scene from Wal-E that the Captain said to the computer “I don’t want to survive, I want to live.” YO OMG I loooooved that line so much, I think about it all the time. This blog was a perfect excuse to finally mention it.
I’m going to explain the denotations so I don’t have to switch back and forth between tabs:
ReplyDeletePassion- strong and barely controllable emotion.
Courage- strength in the face of pain or grief (I like this definition better than the other one that google gave me).
Conviction- a firmly held belief or option.
There are many people (that includes animals) that have changed my life. My family for instance have taught me life lessons, and continue to love me through thick and thin. My family of course includes my doggie (she’s laying in bed with me as I type ♥)! Aaaand now she’s having one of those dreams where she’s running or something 😂
Okay, okay. Distractions! So, how do the three words I defined above connect to my family? Hypophora incoming!!
Passion describes the immense love I have for my family. I would go to the ends of the Earth to make them happy, and that’s my sense of passion for them. Everytime Roxy does something that I think is even the slightest bit cute, my heart feels like it’s going to swell and burst with all the love!
Courage is doing anything for your family, even if you are scared to do it. I would roll with the punches for them! Anything for my family not to get hurt or be scared.
Conviction is always feeling like this, no matter what happens between the members of your immediate family. If I get into a small quarrel with my mom, I’m not just going to hate her forever! You forgive and forget :)
I don’t know if anyone else has ever done this, but you think of the weirdest scenarios and then apply them to your life. Like, what if my dog runs out into the street while I’m walking her? Would I run out and shield her? Would I be too slow? I would definitely die for her. For sure. Would I jump in front of a bullet for any of my family members or even my best friends? Hellz yeah. It would take passion, courage, and conviction to do that. And there is no doubt that I would have those things, if it ever came around to it. But I think the hardest quality to attain would be courage. Death has always been a scary thought to me. Would anyone miss me? And of course if they did, it would kill me (again lolol) to see them mourn over me. It’s sad to even think about it. Honestly I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t want to die for anything, really. Unless, they genuinely had no one they cared about. That would just be a sad way to live.
But, onto the follow-up. There are the little things in life that make me happy that I am alive. These are definitely not the same as dying for something. I don’t really have the motivation to die for Starbucks frappicinos 😂
For me, they are small (sometimes they can be big) things that make me feel joy going through life. And of course, my family and friends fall into this category of things to live for. But sometimes it’s those teeny-tiny happenings that probably wouldn’t have the same meaning to everyone. Here are just a few of the things I live for:
1. When Roxy raises her ears, or wags her little stubby tail.
2. Starbucks, because any day is a good day with a frappacino.
3. Those calm moments of sleep.
4. Waking up refreshed from a nap.
5. J chillin when you have no responsibilities.
6. That sun-kissed and warm feeling you get after a day at the pool or the beach.
7. When you can just talk and talk to your friends, and you never run out of jokes or things to talk about.
8. Feeling (and seeing) the pay-offs of a good workout.
9. When you pig-out on junk food (or regular food) and feel no remorse.
10. That soothing “staying in” feeling on a snowy or rainy day.
And with that, I conclude. I encourage each and everyone of you to find the sweet little joys in life as well. Toodles ♥
I would die for my loved ones. All of them, if I needed to. If a car came down the street and a loved one was in the way, I would push them out of the way and let the car impact me. No doubt about it. I want my loved ones to blossom and make a difference in the world. They can’t do that if they aren’t here, on earth. I don’t believe I have the courage to do that because I know a lot of people would do the same for their loved ones. Maybe not for the same reasons. But would sacrifice themselves to save a loved one. I feel the need to save and help everyone first, before helping myself. It’s who I am and always will be. Having an ache in my heart because my loved ones are dead, would do greater damage, than if I died. I would do anything for my loved ones. No matter the price, no matter the consequence. Conviction would play a role because it’s something I believe strongly in. My view on dying for my loved ones, may not be the same for everyone. I believe that if a loved one is in danger and I can prevent- no matter the cost- I should. On the other hand, my passion is not the same. My passion is reading. I know, weird. It is definitely not the same as dying. I haven’t always loved reading. When I was younger, I hated to read; it was boring. Now, I love to read. It’s an escape for me (along with disney movies and sweet home alabama). I know I could count on my books to get me through something. It’s like my second home. The places the characters go, I go. I love to read. I have a passion for reading. I have many unshakeable convictions. It’s hard to zoom in on just one. But, my number one belief is: everything will be okay. I have lived by that since I was a youngin’. It’s something I am constantly telling myself and what my parents/friends tell me. Whatever may be going on, things will be okay and everything shall fall into place. Similarly, I believe we should all live for something. I live for the future. I live to knowing I will have a great career, loving/ gorgeous family, beautiful house, and an overall enjoyable life. I live for the brighter days to come and the struggles to being over. My take on what I die for and live for are similar. I live for the future, but I would die for my loved ones. I think they’re similar because, living for the future would mean having my loved ones in it. And if they’re not, then I can’t live.
ReplyDeleteEven today, I still have trouble finding out my “passion.” What does it feel like to be passionate about something? I asked Google. Since the word “passion” is open to interpretation, there was a variety of definitions. I decided to choose my favorite one; and it came from good-old Merriam-Webster. Maryam Weber defines passion as “a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something.” I thought long and hard about this. Eventually, I had an epiphany. I realized I’ve always had a passion for adventure. I crave being out there doing God knows what. I could never sit in the same spot for more than an hour or my brain will be fried. I like running into unexpected situations and making the most out of it. I want go out there and do random things along the way. I want to go to sleep every night and say to myself, “Today was a fun day.” And I’m not talking about planned fun either. When I say “planned fun,” I’m talking about you planned to have fun today. For example, one might plan to go to six flags today to have fun. No. I don’t want that. I want to start the day off somewhere, then end up somewhere else so unexpected. For instance, one night my friends and I decided to have a little get-together. At the beginning of the night, we stayed in the house. But, by 1 in the morning we ended up in the middle of the woods using our phones as flashlights. It was so unexpected, but so fun. Plus the fact that it was in the middle of the night made the situation ten times scarier. But, as I got more scared, I wanted to venture deeper into the woods. Going into the unknown excites me because I’m very curious. This is probably where courage comes into play. Courage is the ability to do something one is frightened to do. However, I feel as if though you have to be scared first in order to be courageous, and being scared excites me. Although, adventures don’t always have to be based off fear and the unexpected. It could be something simple. For example, I once ran into this young couple who said they go on random car rides. I praised them for it because that’s exactly something I would do. That’s the kee to success! Really, I would go on random car rides with my significant other all the time if I had the chance. We could end up at an IKEA and I’ll make it the time of our lives. But, at the same time it doesn’t matter where we end up, as long as we had fun. This is where conviction comes into play. Conviction is a firmly held belief or opinion. I believe that this is what life is about. The destination is not important, but how you get there is what truly matters. It’s about the people you meet, the places you see, the things you experience, and the situations you encounter along the way is what truly matters. That’s the whole adventure, and life is an adventure.
ReplyDeleteI would die for family and friends. I believe in family first, but I also hold great value in my friends. Family and friends are what keep you going. They are the ones who tag along in the adventure. They are the ones who suffer, laugh, or celebrate with you. Without either of them, you won’t last long. They are the drive that keeps you from giving up. Without that drive, life will be hard. The fact that I would die for them, gives me motivation to keep moving forward. This being said, something or someone you’d die for is the same as living for it. It’s ironic; you’d die for something to live for it, but it gives life a purpose.
Passion, courage, and conviction play somewhat of a part in my answer. The word conviction, meaning "a firmly held belief or opinion", overcomes the other two words, though. The people in my life give me courage. I hold an unshakeable conviction about people saying they would die for someone. This is very hypocritical of me, but I believe that although losing someone may be painful, it isn't worth your life. I would die for many people and that's probably an unhealthy mindset, but it's true. This is something that I hold close to my heart because while my best friend (and boyfriend) was suffering through cancer, I always told myself that if I could die and that would save his life, I would do it. That's not something that you should live by. I'm not sure if I have a passion. Could makeup count as a passion? I really enjoy makeup because it's almost like art, but instead of the canvas being paper, it's your face. It's a controversial topic, unfortunately. I'm not sure why because it has nothing to do with other people... if you don't like makeup, don't use it, but don't criticize people for enjoying it. Anyway, I don't think anyone should have the mindset that they would die for something. This has been a hard thing for me to understand and I'm still trying to. Your life is priceless. There's nothing that can be measured to it so saying you would die for something is measuring your life to something that it doesn't even come close to.
ReplyDeleteCourage, passion, and conviction. In my life, I can recall things that those three words relate to.
ReplyDeleteFirst up is courage, the stronghold for strength. I am no macho, muscular, powerful man nor I am a weak, fragile man. Everyone has their strengths and weakness, but it didn’t affect me when I help defend someone. From the last blog, I wrote about how I fight against some teen bullies to defend my friend. Once you earn the feeling of courage, no one can stop you expect for fists, foot, and adults. Back to the topic, courage means to stick up for what one believes in and to hold your ground. The thing that sparks my first courage was my friend. Once I see a friend in need, my body just went into overdrive and autopilot. My emotions were high and my body prepares itself for some pain. If it was someone else, I honestly would ignore them. That may sound bad and ignorant, but at least I am honest about it. The rest is in the last post, but the point is that my friend gave me courage.
Next is passion. I like to make people laugh or smile. Once I do so, I automatically just look away or look down. I don’t know why, but it turns into a habit. The feeling when I see my friends and family smiling or laughing is just something I can’t describe. Sometimes it is accidental and other times I purposely try to make them smile or laugh. If I can get one to laugh, I feel like I help that person out either mentally or physically. It is my goal to get at least one person to smile or laugh. If I got more than one person, I just hit the jackpot.
Lastly is the conviction. I believe life is a crazy joyride and worth every single minute. It has bumpy hills, traffic jams, and speeding up. FYI, those three things relate to life in a way. Life may encounter unexpected turns, but it is worth the ride. It is not about the destination, but more on the ride to the destination that matters. We may hate our lives, but it is the only one we can get. Might as well enjoy it while we still can.
Going back to the original question, I believe I would die for my friends and family. It may sound boring and lame, but they are all I got. Not every friend, but those I am close with. I would catch a grenade for them. I would take a bullet for them. In addition to the follow-up question, both what I would die for and live for are the same. They are like a body part. I couldn’t do much without them and they are a part of me.
My brother is my favorite person in the entire world. Yes, he taught me how to snap, how to blow bubbles in my gum, and everything else an older sibling should. Since he's my favorite, you would think I would die for him. You'd also think I would die for my mother and father and the rest of my family. Although if I am being perfectly candid, I don't know whether I love them or am just supposed to love them. Ever since I could remember, everyone has told me to love my family. To love my brother and sister. To love my grandparents and the rest. It makes me wonder if I truly love them or if it was just forced upon me. I think I love them and think I would die for them, but think isn't good enough.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think dying for something/ someone should be a thing. Society has made dying a pure fear. Instead of a fear of non existence, it's a fear of the way it happens. Being burned alive, frozen to death, and eaten by a shark are terrifying on the account that it's scary. But, no one wonders about the aftermath of death. The unknown. I believe in giving one's life up for another. However, dying -for me- alludes to the method of death.
The thing that gives me the ability to take risks and challenges is the fact that I'd rather look back knowing something was a mistake than to look back wishing I did something. Though my human nature makes me desire to be alive, I'm not afraid of dying. I'm not afraid of the unknown or being gone. Because the love for my family is questionable, I live for the future. Hopefully in the future, I'll know why I love my family other than being told to do so. In the future, I'll have something valuable to live for and not just waking up and living.
An ideal person would die for his/her family and close friends. Sorry to spoil your mood but I am not that person. I do understand the concept of dying for family and the urge to help them even if it means losing your life, but I do not think that it is the correct and the best way out of that situation. Why would you die for your family? To not see them in pain? To better their lives? Have you ever thought how worse they would feel if they find out that you sacrificed your life for their well being? They wouldn’t be able to live with the fact that they caused your death. They would consider them your murderer. They would be dead inside, feeling like they deserve to be in hell, in an alive body.
ReplyDeleteEven though I would not die for my family, I will definitely try to save them from whatever peril is lurking over them. There is a difference between dying for them and trying to save them. I would make my best effort to try to save them because if I don’t, they will either live with the fact that I didn’t do anything to lessen their pain (if there is no big danger) or die knowing that I made no effort to save them (if the danger is life-threatening). This will be a dagger to their heart and my heart because they would either feel as if I didn’t love them or think that they have failed at parenting and are not deserving of the love.
I am very passionate about my family and just being with them makes me happy. Even though we have our ups and downs like any other relationships, we would do almost anything to save each other. My brother is who makes the happiest. He has something to him, like his charisma, that makes everyone happy wherever he goes. If I were to die for someone and I had no other option, I would die for my brother because he has so much potential to be something. Even though he plays games all day and watches minecraft videos, he is one of the most smartest and curious person I have ever known in my life. Somehow he would know lot of trivia and facts that even I would get stumped over. He is one of the few people I know to stump me with a question about science and astronomy.
Courage is something everyone has. Some have it on their face everyday while others have theirs sleeping inside them. Whether it be when one needs to stand up for himself/herself or someone else or when one faces a nearly impossible task, there comes a time in life when that dangerous, sleeping lion wakes up and roars into the darkness of fear. Courage would come into play in saving my little brother by sacrificing my life because it takes courage to come face to face with death and not be scared enough to back down.
My conviction is in helping others and doing what is best for me and those around me. I always go by this rule to assure that in helping myself, I don’t hurt others. I like to help others whether it be by volunteering or by tutoring. This comes into play in saving my little brother by sacrificing my life because my brother has much more to offer to the people around him and I have to offer to people around me so I would be sacrificing my life for the greater good.
I live for my family because I love them so much. If I didn’t live for my family, they would be heartbroken. I especially live for my parents because one of my future goals is to be able to fully support my parents so that they don’t have to go through trouble as long as I am here. I want to be the person who takes care of his old parents, and not the person who sends his old parents off to daycare. I want them to know that I love them and I will support them as long as I live.
When I was younger, as weird as this sounds, I used to lay in bed and think about how one day I was going to die and one day my parents will die and they will no longer be with me. I would obviously cry and then I’d think about ponies and it’d be all better. I was a weird kid but that’s what I thought about before going to bed. Now at 17, I’m thinking about death again. I don’t really know how I feel about death. I’ve never experienced death with a relative or a close friend. Obviously if I hear about someone’s death I feel upset but it doesn’t affect me as much as if someone close to me died.
ReplyDeleteOf course I would die for my family and friends. Knowing that my family and friends could continue to live would make my death worth it. I don’t know what else I would die for though. I thought about my passion, what gives me courage, and my convictions but they are not worth dying for.
I feel like I’m honestly saying this in every blog post but my passion is drawing. Shocking I know. I love everything about. If I could spend everyday doing something, I’d be drawing, painting, sculpting, anything related to art. I’m impatient sometimes and I hate doing work for a long time but I’m perfectly fine with spending hours working on a drawing or something.
What gives me courage is experience. If I’ve already experienced it, then I know what is going to happen so I should have no fears of not knowing. Experience gives me more confidence because I know what I am doing and I am able to show it.
My unshakeable conviction is that it’s okay to embrace change. This is kind of contradicts what I said for my courage but I say that it’s okay to embrace change because I can accept new things. By accepting the changes that happen I can get even more experience. Not everything is constant and you need to embrace the changes that happen. They happen for a reason, sometimes you just have to go with flow. If you’re not changing, you’re not growing as a person. You are not the same person you were in the past and that is okay. Changes can help you grow as a person and help you find more things about yourself that you didn’t know before.
So looking back at my writing, my courage and conviction kind of joined together but I don’t know if I’d give up my life for these beliefs. Again, my family and friends are the only thing I’d give my life too.
“ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13
ReplyDeleteThis was the first thought that popped in my head. All my passion, all my conviction, and all my courage is founded in Christ. What am I in this giant world without the love and strength of God? As I researched definitions of passion I came across one that stuck with me, “...an uncontrollable emotion toward something.” Love is the strongest and most uncontrollable emotion the human soul experiences and God is love. I could sing for Him for days on end. Go ahead ask me about the Bible and I guarantee my face will brighten. He makes a horrible day into a blessing and sometimes a miracle. My uncontrollable emotion lies in the love of Jesus Christ.
Conviction had two very parallel definitions but only one of the denotations really clarify what I’d die for. Conviction is a person’s fixed or firm belief. My belief in God is unwavering and unshakable. I don’t know about politics, which celebrity is really what he/she says she is, or who would die for me but I do know that God is true and that died for me. That same power that rose Jesus from the dead lives inside of me right now. All that strength surges in my soul and provides me all the courage I need and more. Because of God’s omniscience I have total confidence in all the steps he has me take my life even if I use blind faith. The definition of courage is the state or quality mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession,confidence, and resolution. Taking steps forward without truly seeing where your foot lands is terrifying but with God I have total peace that he will guide me to where I am meant to be.
What would I die for? I’d die for my faith in the Lord. And I know throughout the whole passage my family and friends but I would. I have a very protective personality and no can cross them without going through me first. Obviously going through me isn’t very difficult but I wouldn’t let my loved ones fall without a fight. I need my family in my life to keep me going, I need my friends for the endless laughter and joy they give me, and I need my Savior to put the air in my lungs. I live for these souls in my life and I’d surely die for them any day.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should be willing to die for something in their life. I do not see a life worth living if nothing strikes you enough to be willing to die for it, we all need some mean reason to live, we all need one single thing that makes us get out of bed, one single thing that keeps us trekking, something that keeps us motivated, our hearts need something to set on. I say we all need that one thing yet that one thing varies for everyone and for me it took a very long time to find. I wish I could say mine was a hobby or an activity or something sort of interesting but it’s not. For me other people are the sole reason I get out of bed in the morning. From being in the society that we live in I see just how much everybody’s lives affect each other. Just think if one person doesn't show up to class the whole mood for that period could change. If that one person just happens to be the most talkative and the one who participates a lot it changes what the rest of the class has to do. They then have to pick up the job of that student and participate. One person's life whether they know it or not affects everyone. I think people should be the most important thing in everyone's life. No one call live a life happily if they engage in complete and utter desolation and solitude. A life full of overall isolation is not a life full of joy.
In saying that the only thing I would be willing to give my life for is another's. Every person out there deserves to be fought for and every person deserves to have someone willing to risk all for them. In saying that that is why I would be willing to give my life for another's. I don’t care if it is a stranger I have to risk my life for if it means they get to be happy and healthy then it means it is worth it.
Then asked the question what is my passion. Again I reiterate I wish it could be something interesting or something that entails talent of some sort but it is not. My passion ties into my theory on people. I think all people need help at some point in their life and I think all people need another person to guide them or assist them. So. my passion is helping other. I know it is corny, probably a very common answer and not through interesting but that truly is my passion. I love seeing the smile on the little kids faces on the weekends when I get to help them learn something new or when I get to help them even build a stupid little tower. I love to help others with their work( that may just be an avoidance strategy of mine so I don't have to do my own but I really do enjoy it). Not to sound selfish but helping others in the end helps me. When I help others I am happier because my minds focused on whatever the action is that I am doing as well as it is focused on that sole individual.
It is funny to say that the thing that gives me courage as well is others. When I say others I mean what gives me courage is the actions others take. For example when someone sticks up for what they believe in that gives me courage. I get courage from seeing others succeed and overcome their problems. My courage comes from the courage of others and I see no problem in that.
My only issue that I am running into now is that I don’t hold an unshakable conviction for well anything. My beliefs aren’t strong enough for me to call them unshakable. My opinion on just about everything is pretty flimsy. My view can be swayed with just a tiny bit of convincing, I am still making and forming myself therefore still forming my views. It is very important for every person to have one single thing that they believe in strongly but for me I have not found that one thing yet. When I do find it though I will cling to it and never let it go.
DeleteIt is quite funny that the only thing I am willing to die for is another and the fact that what I live for is others as well. I need to explain that because it comes out a little weird. I live to please others. Everyday that is what I push towards. I push to make others happy and I push to make others like me. I know that is not something to be proud of, the idea that my whole life is based upon the lives of others what they do what they believe and what they think of me but it is. I am slowly working on changing parts of that. What I live for and what I am willing to die for go hand and hand and I am very happy that that is so.The main thing a person lives for should be their passion and it should be the thing they are willing to die for. A life without something close enough to die for is not necessarily life worth living. I just wish I could say I had a conviction that I held dear.