Power of Ideas
"We are told to remember the idea, not the man, because man can fail. Four hundred years later, an idea can still change the world." - from V for Vendetta
One of my top ten favorite movies, this film is about revolution and change and overcoming fear. It is about standing up for what you believe to be right and good. It is about the power of ideas and the power of the masses. "People should not be affraid of their government. The government should be affraid of its people" - V for Vendetta
Which reminds me of "We are many. They are few" - from Children of God by Mary Doria Russell. "Children of God" is the sequel to "The Sparrow." Both are my favorite books. In many ways, "Children of God" is also about revolution, change, and the decisions people make based on what they think is right in a particular moment.
One of my top ten favorite movies, this film is about revolution and change and overcoming fear. It is about standing up for what you believe to be right and good. It is about the power of ideas and the power of the masses. "People should not be affraid of their government. The government should be affraid of its people" - V for Vendetta
Which reminds me of "We are many. They are few" - from Children of God by Mary Doria Russell. "Children of God" is the sequel to "The Sparrow." Both are my favorite books. In many ways, "Children of God" is also about revolution, change, and the decisions people make based on what they think is right in a particular moment.
Year off or No?
Do I have the time to spend a year not doing something I love? I do not think so. You never know when your time will be up. As the Anne Lamott quote I love so much says "now is all we have," and I truly agree with her words. The time is now.
I have been debating whether or not to take a year "off" before heading to graduate school. Idealy, I would find the time this summer to take the GRE, apply to schools, and get into the one that I want. With time and money and other circumstances, this is somewhat unrealistic. So, I would use a year off to become a more competitive candidate and enhance my resume. I would continue studying the languages I need, work, maybe volunteer, and would have the appropriate research paper that I do not have now.
But will I enjoy this year? Do I need to? Should I settle and just try to get into a less difficult school? What if I spend this year and accomplish everything as planned and still do not get into the schools I want (which is likely)?
I am frightened by all the possibilities and opportunities. At this point, I can do almost anything I want. I am worried I will end up choosing a path that I do not love and enjoy.
One thing is for sure....I love school. I love learning. The importance of education to me is up there with family. If I had the choice, I would never work and just go to school forever (I know now I can not actually do that. I must give back to the world. Serve others.). So....I know what I love. That is a place to start, right?
I have been debating whether or not to take a year "off" before heading to graduate school. Idealy, I would find the time this summer to take the GRE, apply to schools, and get into the one that I want. With time and money and other circumstances, this is somewhat unrealistic. So, I would use a year off to become a more competitive candidate and enhance my resume. I would continue studying the languages I need, work, maybe volunteer, and would have the appropriate research paper that I do not have now.
But will I enjoy this year? Do I need to? Should I settle and just try to get into a less difficult school? What if I spend this year and accomplish everything as planned and still do not get into the schools I want (which is likely)?
I am frightened by all the possibilities and opportunities. At this point, I can do almost anything I want. I am worried I will end up choosing a path that I do not love and enjoy.
One thing is for sure....I love school. I love learning. The importance of education to me is up there with family. If I had the choice, I would never work and just go to school forever (I know now I can not actually do that. I must give back to the world. Serve others.). So....I know what I love. That is a place to start, right?
Wasting Time?
"Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted." - John Lennon
Although I have been told it countless times before, I recently realized that in order to truly be happy, you have to do what you love. I like Lennon's quote because it assures me that when I am "wasting time" reading or writing, surfing the internet, or doing something that, to an outsider, might not seem like much of anything, I am not necessarily wasting anything. If these are activities I truly enjoy and love, then the time is not wasted. Instead, a day is wasted when it passes without having been occupied by an enjoyed activity. A day is wasted when you simply exist, going through the motions of routine, not stopping to take time for yourself.
I have started to slow down, look around, and enjoy as much as I can. I am trying to spend time each day doing something I love. Something that is just for me. Something I do alone. It sounds selfish to me sometimes, but I am a much happier person when I do what I want to do. Is that bad?
Although I have been told it countless times before, I recently realized that in order to truly be happy, you have to do what you love. I like Lennon's quote because it assures me that when I am "wasting time" reading or writing, surfing the internet, or doing something that, to an outsider, might not seem like much of anything, I am not necessarily wasting anything. If these are activities I truly enjoy and love, then the time is not wasted. Instead, a day is wasted when it passes without having been occupied by an enjoyed activity. A day is wasted when you simply exist, going through the motions of routine, not stopping to take time for yourself.
I have started to slow down, look around, and enjoy as much as I can. I am trying to spend time each day doing something I love. Something that is just for me. Something I do alone. It sounds selfish to me sometimes, but I am a much happier person when I do what I want to do. Is that bad?
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