Senior Year: Socially, Spiritually, & Academically.

AP Literature has been a very good class so far. I hate do the AP packets so early in the year because I have not learned anything in the course yet and getting nearly 100% of the questions wrong just stresses me out to no end. Other than that I have really enjoyed the class. I really liked the choices for independent novels this year and loved reading Catch-22. The Transcendentalist unit is my favorite so far but the lively discussions about all of the short stories we read were very informative and fun.

My entire senior year has gone by like a blur. I cannot believe that midterms are only two weeks away. I do not have any inkling of senioritis. I do not have a social or spiritual life this year, it is all academic. Applying to college is a full time job that is continuing even after I have all of my applications turned in. This full time job on top of the four advanced classes, yes I went temporarily insane last year when I signed up for four AP classes, leaves pretty much no time for anything else. I have been getting buy, not struggling too much, but a lot of my other activities have suffered because of the amount of work that I have. So far I have not achieved my goal for this year because I have not been accepted to any colleges yet. I have not heard anything at all but I think that once I have been accepted to that first school a lot of my stress and anxiety about next year will go away. I just do NOT want to end up at MCC.

If You Want To Be A Transcendentalist, Be A Transcendentalist

If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are

And if you want to live high, live high
And if you want to live low, live low
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

[Chorus:]
You can do what you want
The opportunity's on
And if you can find a new way
You can do it today
You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
you see ah ah ah
its easy ah ah ah
You only need to know

Well if you want to say yes, say yes
And if you want to say no, say no
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

And if you want to be me, be me
And if you want to be you, be you
'Cause there's a million things to do
You know that there are

[Chorus]

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are

This Cat Stevens song has strong ties to several Transcendental ideals and teachings of Emerson and Thoreau. This song champions individualism and is a true "Be true to yourself" anthem. It repeats several times that "you can do what you want". It is not a very complicated or deep song but it holds a lot of truth. Life truly can be that simply as to find what you want to do with your life and then do whatever you can to accomplish that goal. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true." This song goes right along with this quote, encouraging all that listen to it to simply do what they want to do despite any barriers or naysayers that may stand in the way. As the song says, "The opportunity's on...you can do it today."

This is not like the typical "stay true to yourself" tween pop song. The line "And if you want to be me, be me." sets it apart. Stevens is saying that if you don't like what you are, change it. If you want to be a different person, do it. Henry David Thoreau said, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." Stevens is saying the same thing. Pick what you want to do with your life and follow that dream; it is really that simple. The ability to change and become whatever you want already lies inside of you and all you have to do is bring it to the surface. This coincides very closely with Transcendental ideas that say all knowledge is already within every human being. Intuition is much greater than and external logic because the answers and ability already lie within us. The line, "You know that there are." is repeated many times and it is reminiscent of this inner knowledge idea. You can be and do whatever you want, but only if decide to make the most of yourself. 

Transcendentalists

"What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Actions drown out what you have to say. This quotation is still relevant today. It reminds me of so many politicians, public figures, and people that I know personally. These people say all of the right things but never back it up in their actions. On paper, in words, they can build an entire personality and existence that does not reflect even the tiniest aspect of their true selves. A life time of writing about peace, nonviolence, and morality does not eradicate a murder. Even one action contrary to what you claim to believe negates all that you have to say, ruins your credibility and topples your reputation. You must practice what you preach, and walk the walk if you want to be respected and heard.

"Be true to your work, your word, and your friend." - Henry David Thoreau

Life can be boiled down to several simple goals, ideals to strive for. This aphorism from Thoreau is one of them. Nothing is worth doing if it is not done well. You must be true to your work, whatever you choose to do. There is honor in every job down to the lowliest position. Your word is your reputation and your honor. If you do not take it seriously, you will lose your reputation, all respect and you can become a joke. Without friends, you have nothing. The individual is important and key to self awareness, but trusting and loving relationships cannot be found within oneself. That is why it is important to be true to the friends you have. These are three of the most important aspects of life and all three must be taken seriously, and their full worth understood.

"My happiness is not the means to any end. It is the end. It is its own goal. It is its own purpose." (Rand 72)

Happiness is not a destination, it is a journey. Equality has never truly known happiness until he reached the forest and gained his independence. He has just come to this realization that happiness or trying to attain happiness is the reason man is on this earth. In his previous society, there was no consideration for the happiness of anyone. No matter what ones' strengths were, the Council arbitrarily decided the Life Mandate for each person. Equality has finally discovered that in the real world reaching happiness and doing what you are good at and what you love go hand in hand. Happiness is not something to be cast aside as a fleeting moment on the way to the top. Not every decision is driven to attain material wealth or prosperity. That is why there are poor, starving artists and those that risk everything to reach their dreams.