Perspective

Life is a funny thing. You never know when you're going to have a profound effect on someone, whether from a conversation or just being yourself in their proximity. This is something to always keep in mind - because you never know what affect it is going to have on people, one should always do their best to make a positive impression and impact. When speaking, choose words carefully and make sure to get your point across. Speak thoughtfully. Live thoughtfully.

Your Life the Movie

Earlier today, I was pondering what it is exactly that makes a movie intriguing. A few of the options that came to mind: an exciting plot, an interesting and dynamic character, unexpected twists and turns, unrealistic situations. Although I am not much of a movie person, I think that we can glean a message from our own desire to watch a story of a person or people who experience development across time. 

We as human beings are meant to grow and improve. If we simply remain static and fail to make progress in achieving our goals and furthering our plot, how fulfilling will that life be? Sure, we might not all be as interesting as movie characters, but our lives will be far more stimulating if we attempt to infuse the excitement of movies into our own lives by focusing on our own character development.

...See you at the Oscars!

Smiling

I've found that when in the work place, if you great someone with courtesy and with a smile, they are much more likely to respond in kind and be willing to help you than if you just say it straight out. This may be something for each of us to work on - smiling in the presence of others and having polite conversations. You never know when something might come through for you in a very positive way!

Your Grades Don't Define You

At the end of a semester, it's important to remember:

Pray for Your Haters

I am part of a student group at college called Beat Therapy, which focuses on music therapy and music education. With a few other members, I went a few days ago to a local public school and played rhythm games with the students there. We had a blast, the music they created was incredible, the discussions were enlightening, but something above all else left a lasting impression on me. One of the students was wearing a sweatshirt with words on it. The words were: Pray for your Haters. I was really taken aback by this; what does that even mean? Then I started pondering it and realized how unbelievable it was that those words were on a sweatshirt.

The message just floored me: instead of doing harm or even wishing harm on your "enemies," pray for them.  Instead of increasing the negative emotions in this world, bring positivity to everything you do. I've thought about it for days. In every situation, we have more opportunities to bring good into this world than we can count. We have endless chances every day to bring good into this world- to bring Gd into this world in a very real way.

So, pray for your haters. Don't wish for something bad to happen; pray that something good will happen, pray that Gd will help them.

Self Realization and introspection

I believe that we are not just the sum of our actions. Rather, we are the summation of our actions and our perspectives, our thoughts and our intentions, our direction and purpose. We are judged by what we do and how we treat people, and with this in mind, we should consider how we treat people. I was always taught before one says something, one should think if it is helpful, true, and kind. These, I think, are principles that we should all try to live by. More than that, because we are not just the sum of our actions, but rather the combination of our actions and thoughts, then our actions should reflect our thoughts. Our actions should be intended for the betterment of self as well as the benefit of those around that person's said self. May we all continue in the pursuit of bettering ourselves and the respect of other people through our actions and thoughts.

Myself by Edgar Guest

This is an amazing poem that expresses an amazing attitude to have in life. I have it hanging on my mirror in my bedroom at home.

I have to live with myself and so
I want to be fit for myself to know,
I want to be able as days go by,
To look at myself straight in the eye.
I don't want to stand with the setting sun
And hate myself for the things I've done.

I don't want to hide on a closet shelf
A lot of secrets about myself,
And fool myself as I come and go
Into thinking that nobody else will know
What kind of man I really am;
I don't want to dress myself in sham.

I want to go with my head erect,
I want to deserve all men's respect
And in this struggle for fame and pelf
I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know
That I am a bluster and empty show.

I cannot hide myself from me;
I can see what others can never see;
I know what others can never know,
I cannot fool myself, and so

Whatever happens, I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience free.