Memories

Something to be cherished, something to be hated. Something to be guarded, something to be destroyed. Memories often times fit those descriptions, and prove to be some of the most ambivalent concepts in our minds (at least mine, anyways). They are really quite peculiar, and worth some mention and examination.

Certain memories create a sense of warmth which few other things can. The family picnic which was above all others, the first and most innocent date with a lover, the moment a new child is brought into the world. Few would argue that those things do not warrant a warm, kind, and “happy” feeling.

However, we have the other side of this concept. Creating a sense of dread, despair, vehement, certain memories we long to rid from our minds. A death in the family, the end of a love, a particularly horrid day; yes, these things bring little but anger and sorrow.

At first glance, that is. One must not forget that, while certain events and actions seem “good” or “bad” when first approached or seen, there is almost always a way to turn that feeling around; a loophole, so to speak. The loss of a love may cause sorrow, but may lead on to a realization that it was not meant to be, and furthermore a sense of pride and rebirth is aroused, and the search for a new love is put into action (however, according to Oscar Wilde “When a love comes to an end, weaklings cry, efficient ones instantly find another love, and the wise already have one in reserve.”).

It seems that we must set aside time to truly examine and analyze our memories, and figure out whether our presupposed “feelings” about them are as well-formed as they should be. Many fall into the trap of remembering things at face value, and, unfortunately, this tends to end poorly in all cases. A terminal illness, if you will. If one cannot search their own hearts and examine their own memories, how can they hope to relate to the feelings of another?

2011
01/02
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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

I have found that very few things in life
have the capacity to move me and truly shift my attitude on life. The innocence of children, the mysteries of love, the travails of living; these things, when observed in their most upfront context, very rarely arouse more than a fleeting sense of pity or compassion.

This book, written by Jean-Dominique Bauby, is one of the few exceptions. If you do not already know, Jean-Dominique was a victim of locked-in syndrome, in which one has no ability to move any muscles in their body, and is essentially “locked inside” a heap of lifeless limbs. Jean-Dominique was only able to blink his left eye, and was able to dictate this entire book through the use of that eye.
That, in of itself, is truly incomprehensible in my eyes.

However, that is not what moves me so deeply. I find, after reading of this man’s experiences; with love, learning, pain, sorrow, happiness, ambition; my own soul is truly at a loss for words. Overwhelmed by the intense amount of emotion and intellect welled up inside a lifeless man’s body, I truly have no way to express myself fully.

I will not go into details regarding Jean-Dominique’s book; however, I will mention that his travails with love and passion are what truly swept me away. His tenacity and willpower are truly worth recognizing, and I believe no one is excused from reading this marvelous dictation; of a life filled with the deepest regrets, and biggest ambitions.

2010
12/23
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Dissapointment

If it were possible to count the stars in the sky, the grains of sand on a beach, or the leaves within a forest; all the these things would not compare to the tears I have shed over this tragic event. Some may have said it to be trivial, others may have agreed with me; these things, however, make no difference to me. You see, my dear friend, disappointment is a very relative emotion.

To understand, let me paint a picture. A two men take a test, and receive, say, a ninety out of one hundred. Now, it is fair to say that a score of that magnitude is not “bad” in any way (to the average man). However, let us change the circumstances surrounding the test, and see how that changes.

Say one man has been struggling to keep a passing grade in the class for almost an entire year. Receiving a ninety on a test? Unfathomable for this man. However, the other man, being in a better circumstance, has had his eyes set upon a perfect grade in the same class. Being clearly capable of such a high mark, a ninety on a test would absolutely crush his spirits.

One can see very clearly the delineation of the situation. Depending upon surrounding circumstances, any event can be seen in a variety of ways. A soldier falling to his demise is regarded (usually) as simple “bad news”, and shrugged off as an almost trivial side note. Say, however, this soldier’s family found out. Quite a different reaction is observed, is it not?

While I have no desire to get into the specifics of my current situation (I will most likely when we next meet), I had a very strong desire to explain my current state of mind to you. I am glad things are looking up for you; bring some of that sunshine back with you.

2010
12/21
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Quote of the Day

“All this worldly wisdom was once the unamiable heresy of some wise man.”

- Henry David Thoreau

2010
12/20
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An Appeal to Rhetoric

The Rhetorical Triangle

I wish to express to you, rhetoric, my feelings of minor agitation. Understand that in no way am I “upset” with you, nor angry in any way; I simply desire for you to become easier to utilize within writing and recognize within literature. At times I feel as if I have been searching for days to find you within one page of reading. Other times, I search the ends of the earth for the perfect device to place within my carefully crafted writings. I am in distress, but at the same time in euphoria. For the sake of all my peers, I beg of you; make yourself apparent to us. To your lowly people make yourself known, and to your humblest of servants make yourself clear. Give unto us your pen of greatness, and make us more able merchants of your marvelous trade. Make your devices and techniques ever present on our lips and in our hands, and show us the path of the true rhetorician. Make boldly subtle our arguments against opposing opinions, and hide yourself not from our eyes. In the name of amateur orators and writers across the world, I ask you, I beg of you! show us your way.

2010
12/20
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Quote of the Day

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

– Wayne Dyer

2010
12/19
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Annoyance

My dear friend; I am writing today to express to you how irritated I am with the world. Whether it be people in my home leaving rooms as if a hurricane ran through, dogs barking as if the world is coming to an end, or lovers creating multitudes of repeated problems, it seems at times that I truly want to “rip my hair out”, as they say.

Annoyance is one of my most dreaded feelings. Instead of coming right out and punching you, it decides to poke and prod, slowly welling up an incredible amount of anger, tension, exasperation; all while bringing up at the same time a certain amount of tolerance. A triviality arises which causes a small amount of anger, but along with that one realizes it is simply “annoying”, and overlooks the problem.

However this tolerance, while wonderful in the short-run, is what truly causes an issue over a long period of time. You see, this tolerance is almost like a dam; allowing the water of exasperation well up behind it. This dam, while useful if only a small amount of water is present, is very likely to burst if too much is present. And, due to the water being collected at one point, this dam bursts with an unspeakable force.

This is unlike a sudden burst of anger, onset by something such as an unspeakable insult or physical confrontation. This anger has no damn to collect behind, no barrier to break, but rather is a simple surge down the river of emotion; quickly dispersed. Annoyance is, unfortunately, not like that. At least, not in my experience with it. Therefore, I dread more than any other the feeling of annoyance, and would never wish it upon another.

2010
12/19
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Quote of the Day

“Now I’m feelin so fly, like a G6″

“Like a G6″, Far East Movememt

2010
12/18
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The Quest for Knowledge

I find very difficult to express, my dear friend, how entranced I am, nearly everyday, by learning new things. And I do not mean solely those things learned within the classroom, or the laboratory, or the lecture hall; I mean simply studying what goes on daily around myself and others. I found myself at a loss for words when I have the opportunity to watch others pass by, listening to their tales of sorrow and joy. Or when I simply examine what I am doing on a regular basis. It amazes me how much I can learn, simply by being fully aware of what is going on around me.

I feel as though I was brought here, to this earth, to go on a sort of “quest” for knowledge. I am one of the lucky few in this world who truly loves to learn; who simply cannot be himself unless he is exploring new realms of information. I often times, after a class or an experiment, simply laying down on my bed at home and thinking about what went on, what I was exposed to, and trying to further my grip on the information. Not only that, but I will go above and beyond what was taught, attempting to derive easier equations, explain other phenomenon with a similar concept, predicting the effects of certain literary devices, etc.

I am not saying that to sound “high and mighty”, but rather to express to you the extent to which I love knowledge. I find that it is always on my mind; that I am always pondering, criticizing, and attempting to understand every situation which comes my way. I cannot explain why I have this fascination, but I will say this; knowledge is, without a doubt, one of my closest friends.

2010
12/18
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Quote of the Day

Walls

“All we need is a little bit of momentum; to break down these walls that we’ve built around ourselves”

-Momentum, The Hush Sound

 

2010
12/17
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© Nigeil and Look on the Bright Side, 2010-2011. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nigeil and Look on the Bright Side with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. It wouldn't take you long to make your own content, or at least show clearly that the content you are using is mine. So please, don't be a copycat.

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