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.