You must learn from the past to move on from the present. When the author states that "other peoples stories can expand our view of the world" I believe he is saying we must oberve the past to move on to the future. Many times I love to hear war stories from people who have been there. We learn from war stories the horrors of humanity and that we must kill or be killed. We also learn that a comrade is the number 1 priority and you never leave a comrade behind. You could also learn from those who faced social in justace as to not repeat our predisesors mistakes. For instance, why has there not been another nuclear bombing since world war two. Thats because people know the destructive power of this horrifing weapon.
As for my own life, I have learned many things. Being in foster care was just part om my life. Most of my life I learned not to give up. This was from when I was increacing my IQ. It was often difficult and I was discuraged often. However, one day my aunt sat me down one day and asked me if I wanted to quit and become nothing more than I was or I could work hard and become something. This time of trial shaped who I am.
I got involved in my community just recently infact. My only view was that I had to better myself before helping others to do the same. However, I also believe doing community service will help me better myself as well. I will learn from others and in turn make myself better as a person.
As far as my view on my political ideology is conserned, I hold no one any better or worse based on how they look. Even the great Dr. King once said " I Dream of a day when my children will not be judged my the color of their skin but by the content of their character". I hold this fact close to my heart in the fact that I will never look down on others based on first impressions, as many did with me when I was close to mental retardation, but by how they act and how hard they work.
Richard
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about bettering yourself. We often believe that if we have isues to work on how can we help others? I believe that one of the ways to work on many of our own issues IS to help others. By giving of ourselves we also gain so much in return.
Its not always easy to improve ones self. Its easy to give up and take the easy way out. The easy way is rarely the best way though. The fact that you took a stand against yourself and your own deficiencies, while trying to improve the lives of those around you is rather inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the personal look into your own life. I completely agree with your point of view. I was very happy to see at the end how you do not judge people by first impressions. That is a very difficult instinct to overcome but a very important one.
ReplyDeleteRichard,
ReplyDeleteAgain and again you open up to us and share your personal story and I continue to learn something from you each time. You have become a strong person from your past experiences and I believe by continuing to share your story you will continue to teach others. Not making assumptions about people is an important lesson in life and I am happy that you are open to teach each person that lesson.
Alyssa
Hey Richard,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog here. I really liked what you were saying in your second to last paragraph about being involved in community service to better yourself and become the person you want to be. Perhaps that is what the author was talking about when he wrote that line about hearing others' stories; in hearing what they have to share, we see who they are and what they've striven to become, and it can inspire us to do similar acts!