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More handpicked essays just for you.
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Living a Deliberate Life
In the twenty-first century society is living a life where individuals are often too busy to reflect on life, and its true meaning. People are often submerged in unimportant things. What is living deliberately? If, Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), transcendentalist essayist, were alive today, and he asked me if I am living like he suggests, I would have to answer, no. I think it is nearly impossible with all these new technological advances in the modern world today. Thoreau tells us, “The nation itself with all its so called internal improvements, which bye the way are all external and superficial…” Living deliberately means to simplify and value the important things in life.
People need to contribute time to important causes like community service, and volunteer work. On a few occasions, I volunteered at a food pantry, and it was a very humble, and valuable experience for me, an experience I will never forget. It was heart breaking to see all the people in need that are lacking the most essential things in life, like food. There were people waiting in line for about two hours before we even opened the door, just to obtain a number. I could hear people talking in line, while I was packaging the canned goods, and perishables. When the other volunteers opened the door, and started calling out numbers, then we proceeded to hand them their bag of food, they had this forever grateful look in their eyes. It was like the gratitude in their eyes pierced, and warmed my heart at the same time. It was a bitter sweet moment, and to hear it over, and over, was overwhelming. And on the other hand, there are other people in America, that the stress of their day is trying to choose the latest model IPHONE, or automobi...
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...ough to let me take care of her. Being there for them makes me feel blessed. Therefore, people should not take the little things for granted, because we do not know what the future holds.
Getting out more, and enjoying nature should be a priority in life. Hearing the birds sing early in the morning, smelling the orange blossoms in the spring, or taking a walk on the beach. Furthermore, taking a moment in time to look up at the sky, and take a deep breath, and admire all the beauty that nature has to offer. Enjoying valuable time with loved ones, like watching your child play the sport that they love the most, and see them smile while having a good time. Not letting any distractions interfere, like mobile phones, internet or social media. “Living deliberately” has a different meaning for everybody. Whatever that meaning is, embrace it and live a life with purpose.
His exclamations against those who don't change their live to find all the “marrow,” hidden in society, shows his passion for “sucking,” the positive features which enable him to ensure he has spent his time effectively. Lastly, this related to “living deliberately(…),” expressed by Thoreau. This philosophical idea distinguished the difference between simply who simply are alive in comparison to one who lives a life that they know that they “truly live(…),” instead of later realising they haven’t done what they as individuals wanted to do. This contrast is symbolised by the comparison of McCandless and the social norm. The fact that McCandless felt implied to not take short cuts through modern day advancements suggested by the “plane,” and instead wanted to complete his trip in the way he desired leads to him exemplifying the meaning of living deliberately by Thoreau. Nonetheless whilst they are both different individuals, McCandless lifestyle and actions portray the life based on the philosophical ideas of
In the first section of Walden entitled "Economy," Thoreau develops his ideas of living simply and deliberately. He believed that "it is best to want less," and that "there is no point of living if it is not deliberate." By living deliberately he meant giving each part of life attention, whather in observing humans or nature, and living during "all moments of life." He believed that humans had only four basic necessities: food, shelter, clothing, and fuel. The object of each of these necessities is to "conserve an individuals energy." He also believed that "gluttony is bad," and so we should "only content ourselves with possesions that we need." Thoreau focussed on living deliberately, and stated "to settle, and to feel reality in its fullness, is the point."
This is why I have worked at a local homeless shelter for the past two years. I feel like I can do the same thing -- help a person or two merely on the basis of our shared humanity. I enjoy paying back some of the help society has given me. I teach a computer class at the shelter, but everyone gets free therapy on the side. Most of those people aren't different in some essential way from the homed or those who have jobs, but life has often dealt them a losing hand to begin with. I tell them that I also had a losing hand, but I never gave up hope. Often, hope is all I had -- but it was enough to keep me pressing onward.
...Treanor). "Every man is tasked to make his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour" (Walden 90). Thoreau challenges everyone to curtail their desires of consumerism and to live the life of minimalism.
This quote explains completely what Thoreau thought about living. This way of life is completely different than the previous way of life. Thoreau is saying that there is more to life than the way Americans had been living. He wanted to thoroughly live life to the fullest that he possibly could. On page 906, Thoreau also
In 1854, Henry David Thoreau gave us what would become his most famous non-fiction book, Walden; or life in the Woods. In this, Thoreau describes his project at Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau decided that he was going to live “deliberately” in the woods for over two years and live off of a limited economy and isolate himself from society in order to gain a more objective understanding of it. But one has to ask the question, what does Thoreau mean that he wants to “live ‘deliberately’”? Thoreau himself said that he wanted to “live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”(Thoreau, 61) He wanted to live deliberately because he believed that the way we live in society is not really living, it is superficial. It is superficial because of our dependence on material things that in Thoreau’s mind don’t really matter and can be sacrificed without risking what Thoreau would call actual living. Thoreau believes our dependence on material items is so great that we do not see the majesty of what this world has to offer, we cannot experience the grandeur of nature. So the living “deliberately” would mean to live with the basic essentials, building a little shelter to shield from harsh elements, living off the food we can grow or gather, and to cut ourselves off from immense contact with society in order to figure out our real purpose in the world.
live day to day as a means to survive, and only then would we truly
In the short story, “The Japanese Quince” by John Galsworthy explores the idea of when an individual is trapped by routine and familiarity; they may avoid living a more fulfilling and spontaneous life. The story depicts a man, Mr. Nilson altering his daily routine by going for a stroll for fresh air to try and avoid a queer feeling. Although, the queer feeling did not improve, it managed to help him calm. However, when he went back to his normal routine, the queer feeling came back. The effect of sacrificing stability is shown through the imagery, characterization and tone of the story. Hence, John Galsworthy conveys when a person sacrifices stability and routine, they would have a more spontaneous and fulfilling life as they manage to focus on new things.
We might not have the same opinions, paths, and ways of living; but we all, millions of people around the world, share the same purpose of life: Being able to say “I am having a good life!” What we mean by “good life” is living in pure happiness and having a wonderful peace of mind. The difference between us is that each one of us chooses a different way in his pursuit of happiness. Some find it in stability with a big house, a family, and a good paying job. Some find it in adventure and wildness, travel, and taking risks. While others don’t really have specific criteria or an organized plan, they just believe that happiness comes with living each day as if it was the last, with no worries about the rest. Personally, I find it in trying to be the best version of myself, in staying true to my principles, and in the same time in being able to make my own decisions; which reminds me of what George Loewenstein said “Just because we figure out that X makes people happy and they're choosing Y, we don't want to impose X on them.”
Our ancestors used to live a happier life. They were not drowned in technology like we are. They lived life as they should to, closer to their instinct. In the past, people had a healthy lifestyle, had more time to spend with their family and friends and were closer to nature. Whereas nowadays, people’s lifestyle has become unhealthy due to modern life. For example, we do not have much physical activity anymore. Besides, as modern humans are busy, we do not spend enough quality time with our family and friends which makes us happy. Moreover, we do not respect the nature which used to be our home. We live too fast without taking a rest for a while and enjoying our life. But as Dillard suggests, we need to be more observant. By taking a look at weasels, we can remember the real meaning of life which is living in the moment, being happy, and noticing
Opening Question: Life is short, so why do people tend to focus on the unnecessary details within their lives?
Thoreau writes that we should simplify our lives as much as possible, and that we should only worry about our own affairs. He then closes the paper by writing that he does not want to work any harder than he has to, but that he wants to use his mind to work through life. One of the many ways Thoreau keeps his life simple is he only imagines buying a farm, however, he never actually does so. Instead, he uses the land only to observe and write about the landscape. By not ever actually buying the farm, Thoreau illustrates his belief that everyone should live free of commitments for as long as possible.
It's true that we all need to make a difference in times of crisis and need, but we also need to strive to make a difference each day. I know that I can make a difference in the lives of many people by simply lending a helping hand or showing kindness to others. I try to take the time to cheer up my grandmother and older friends in the nursing home by paying them a visit. I know my parents stay very busy and it helps them out when I come home and lend a helping hand without being asked. I can help a friend with their homework, or sometimes help by just being there to listen to them.
If we open our lives and give service to those less fortunate than ourselves, we allow our hearts to receive immeasurable happiness. When we sacrifice our time to help someone in need, whether it is a great or small need, we become a part of their life and can help alleviate heavy burdens. Making time to help people in need creates opportunities for us to develop new and lasting relationships. Serving our fellowmen allows the best in each of us to shine through and we can become examples to our children.
Volunteering enables an individual to make a positive impact on his or her community, while empowering the individual to better his or her life. This summer, I had the opportunity to volunteer at many diverse locations. From the hospital to the local library, I truly value my experience and treasure everything it has thought me. Volunteering lets us experience and learn things that we otherwise would not have learned; volunteering opens doors for us that we may not have been able to open before. Volunteering provides us with guidance and tolerance which we may use in the future to aid us in our decisions. At first glance, volunteering may seem to only benefit those who are helped, but on a deeper level, one can realize that volunteering benefits the volunteer as much as, if not more than, those who are helped. Not only does volunteering make a difference in one’s community, but it also helps the volunteer become a smarter, happier, friendlier and more caring individual.