A Letter to My Parents

For the past 18 years, you have done everything for me. From teaching me all of the life skills I could ever need to helping me with an infinite number of school projects, I don't know what I would do without you guys. You make me breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, take care of everything I could need help with, give me everything i could ever need, and go out of your way to make me happy. You have taken me on wonderful vacations and gotten up every other morning at the crack of dawn to take me to swim and water polo practice for the past 4 years. I still can't believe that you spent 5 hours a day almost every weekend for 8 years watching me swim a total of 5 minutes at swim meets. It is crazy to think about how much time you have spent with me throughout my life. You have always been there for me, and I can't thank you guys enough for everything you have done. Next year I'll be moving out and starting a new part of my life. That will definitely be the time where I come to really understand the support system you have created. I will have to do my own laundry (something I really need to learn how to do), get myself to class, and really figure everything out on my own. Thankfully, you guys have taught me everything I need to know to succeed in the world.

Thank you!!

Frankl-y Speaking

In Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl takes a different approach towards the meaning of life that I really appreciate. He emphasizes the fact that meaning, found through our interactions with the world, differs from man to man, day to day, and hour to hour. Meaning is not something that you have to escape society or practice to find. It can be found in our daily lives as we cook dinner or walk our dogs. I think this is important, it shows that meaning is attainable for everyone and it does not have to be life changing or permanent; it can be anything that makes us happy. Meaning is unique and does not have to be defined by society or our lifestyle. I think this is crucial as today we are unfortunately pressured more and more to conform to society. Meaning is something that will always be specific to each individual and no one can define it for you. 

This makes me think about my life today. I take hard classes, join activities that I may not truly have a passion for, and push myself to the mental break so that I can have a chance at getting into one of the best colleges. Not only because I love to challenge myself, but also because this is what I have been told will make me happy. By going to the best school, I can go to the best medical school, and then get the best job. It is something that is told to me from all sources: parents, social media, professionals, and even friends. College is something we obsess over for almost half of our high school career. Seldom do I stop to think about it. Why should going to the best college I possibly can define my happiness? Shouldn't obtaining the job I want by any path make me happy? This is something that I have really been asking myself as college comes closer.     

I also like the fact that Frankl believes that some amount of conflict and unhappiness is healthy and normal. These two things help us grow, redefine who we are, and find a new meaning to explore. They tell us that it is time to change; out with the old, in with the new. It is a feeling that we should welcome rather than push away. The great thing about life is that it will never be perfect, there will always be new challenges that add to who we are and who we will become. 

Our Meaning

Richard Dawkin's view on the meaning of life was something that I found very interesting. He said that "Humans have always wondered about the meaning of life...life has no higher purpose than to perpetuate the survival of DNA...life has no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind pitiless indifference." In this class so far, we have read about what people have to say about life, its meaning, and what we live for. From happiness to good and evil, we have heard a variety of ideas from different people. This quote goes against everything as it reminds us that in the end, we are animals too. We are here to reproduce and pass on our genes just like any other organism. The only thing that sets us apart in our higher cognitive ability. We create meaning and the thought that we are meant to be here for a reason; it keeps us moving, working, and part of the mechanical system that is modern day society. I am not saying that I agree with this, I just think that Richard is very blunt as he takes a more depressing standpoint on our existence. This quote makes me think about everything that humans have created. Social structure, religion, educational systems, the world’s tallest buildings, and name brand clothing have all been made in an effort to help distinguish ourselves from everyone else, “improve the way we work”, and really, give meaning to who we are as we strive for something better than what we currently possess.

Sometimes I do wonder about the meaning of my own life. Everyday I get up early in the morning to either swim or go to school, I go to all of my classes, go to practice, and go home to do my work; I go through the motions of my day without much thought. Why am I doing all of this? Perhaps to go to a good college?

Meaning comes into my life when I think about my path after high school is over. I want to be a doctor. Saving lives is something that I find value in and doctors go to extreme lengths to save any patient that comes in the door. When I think about the endpoint of my education, being a doctor, it makes the thought of 8 long years in school worth it. In the same way, teaching swim lessons and swimming gives me a purpose. I love being able to teach little kids how to swim and see them enjoy it as much as I do. Swimming has been part of my life for 7 years and it has become more than something to do, it has become part of who I am. While I do find my family, and friends meaningful, it is the little things and the activities beyond school that make me happy and make life even more meaningful.  

Thankful

      Thanksgiving is a time for family and food as we come together to appreciate everything we have. While I am thankful for a lot of things everyday, I usually forget about school. I’d like to start off by saying that I am thankful for our class as a whole. Philosophy is one of the best English classes I have taken in high school. I like how everything is discussion based and how everyone is so open to stating their own opinions while still listening to what others have to say.

       One classmate that I am thankful for is Jonathan Eng. I really don’t know where to begin with him. Being friends with my twin brother, Jonathan has been coming to my house for years and that’s actually how we met. We have always waved to each other in the hallway and made fun of my brother together, but this year, we have become closer. Jonathan provides that comical relief that everyone needs during our class discussions and group work. Whether he can’t see the questions on the board, or he has no idea what is going on, one cannot help but laugh.

        Not only do I get to see Jonathan in class but I also get to spend my lunch and the occasional weekend with him. From spa days to fantasy sports we can laugh about anything and there is never a dull moment at our lunch table (even though he eats all of my food). Jonathan is also one of the most competitive people I know. Whether it is on the basketball court or in a debate he cannot accept losing. We were playing Pictionary on Tuesday and I have never seen someone get so involved in the rules. I heard “don’t forget to give us a point” and “THAT’S NOT ALLOWED” way too many times over the course of the night; it was like his life was on the line. In all seriousness I’m happy to call Jonathan my friend and I hope to stay friends with him for years to come.

Into the Wild- Alone

Chris McCandless grew up following the rules of society. He went to school, got good grades, and lived up to his parents’ standards. However, he was never content with the fast pace, judgmental, materialistic society he lived in. By leaving this all behind to travel and eventually go to Alaska, Chris attempted to escape his conventional life. Furthermore, by going alone he aimed to find some sort of enlightenment. What he experienced in the wilderness, and with the various people he met along the way, changed who he was. He learned to take life one day at a time and follow whatever path suited him.

When Chris finally reaches the wilderness, he connected with nature like never before. He was able to appreciate the world around him as he traveled at his own pace. Like Siddhartha, being alone gave Chris the opportunity to wipe his mind clean and take in everything, as it exists. Without the pressure of society and people, both Siddhartha and Chris were able to find a temporary euphoria. However, Chris ran into some problems. Going into the wild without adequate skills, food, or equipment soon confined him to a life that revolved around survival. This hindered his ability to move and live with complete freedom. Had he come with all the right supplies, I think he would have not only survived, but also experienced nature to the extent that he originally intended. While I do understand that he was trying to strip down his life to the bare necessities as Siddhartha did when he became a Samana, he was not ready to handle nature by himself. He was an amateur explorer trying to take on an expert’s adventure.

Looking at his journey from a mental standpoint, I think Chris was able to find the answers he was looking for. By travelling alone he had the ability to form bonds with people from all walks of life and interpret situations as he pleased; he was not tied down. He was also able to come to the conclusion that happiness is meant to be shared. This is crucial because it is a turning point. Up to this part in the movie, Chris was convinced that he did not need anyone to be happy in life. However, living on the edge of death and being trapped in the middle of the wilderness changed his mind. This is an event that was important to Chris’s development. He could not have realized this had he not gone out and experienced the world himself. This is relatable to Siddhartha going into the town. Sure growing up he heard things about the corrupting nature of society, but he would not have been able to hit rock bottom and then eventually reach his state of enlightenment unless he saw it for himself.
     Being alone gives people the opportunity to learn more about themselves and the world. By escaping the expectations of society, and changing the way that they live, people are able to experience new things that will shape who they are, and what they believe in, and ultimately make them happier. In my opinion, people should not live in their own little world forever. There is so much to see and do that lets us know that we are not forced to live in one way; we can choose our own path.     

We Still Haven't Figured This One Out Yet!

Although we may know more than ever before, there are still so many unanswered questions. Is there a God? Where do we go after we die? What is the correct way to govern a country? These types of questions go beyond scientific inquiry. They, as far as we know, cannot be proven or even answered in one way. Therefore, a variety of opinions are inevitably formed based on personal belief. While these opinions do openly exist, we still have not figured out how to accept them and withhold judgment. Today, people will fight for what they believe it. For example, all over the world, the United States is fighting for the right for countries to have a democratic government. With all of this going on, I cannot help but wonder if anyone is really right. Often times, we are quick to go against something that seems so foreign to us. Without even investigating other arguments, we write a view off as morally and ethically wrong or even evil. However, if people are happy with what they believe, and it works for them, who are we to go in and tell them they are wrong?

 I think that as a society, we have been groomed to think that we are always right and everyone else just needs to see our side. While I am not saying that is always the case, we really shouldn’t be forcing our views onto other people. We cannot simply come up with an answer to one of these unanswerable questions and expect everyone to have the same opinion. In a way, we need to learn how to keep to ourselves. Sure we can think one idea is right, but people halfway around the world should be able to agree with a contradicting idea without the hatred and judgment of other people. However, I do not think that this will ever be possible; people are too eager to stand up for their own ideals. While I admire this, this pride makes it hard for people to be open to new things. But we never know, anything can happen.

How Do I Know What I Know?

We as people learn from experience. From the day we are born, we are taught how to behave, move, and socialize. Not only do we learn this from teachers and parents but also from our culture, peers, and society. Through these experiences, we form a sense of self and ideals. However, we all aren’t the same. Families, countries, and individual people develop different religions, customs, and views on controversial issues. Meaning that while we all have similarities, we also develop distinct views and attitudes that make us different from everyone else in the world.  

However, there is one problem with these limited experiences, we learn to value conformity. We are taught to act in accordance to society and in this we lose ourselves. More often than not we chose to wear certain things, follow a certain ideal, or react in a specific way because this will help us fit in. We become quick to judge those who are different and fear to venture from “normal” or “right.”

Then the question of “how do we know what is right?” comes in. With so many opinions flying at us for a variety of sources, how do we know who and what to believe? It is easy to say that water is polar and the earth revolves around the sun because it is supported by scientific evidence. But what about the unknowns? How should I respond in this situation? Is God real? Do mermaids exist? This is where I think personal opinion comes to matter. Sure we can learn the facts, but in some cases, we may never know the truth. To some extend we have to be able to form our own opinions and ignore the judgment of others. In the end, we are influenced by what we see, but how we interpret it all makes us unique.