"Life is all about perseverance... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable becomes available, the unattainable... attainable." (Inspired by Stacey Charter)
PTS(D)
Post Traumatic Stress is a terrible illness that can dominate one's life without the proper care, support, and control. Many people do not seek out the proper care for this illness or tend to play down the severity of it. Although most never forget the haunting memories, a healthy and happy life is achievable. Strength and openness through rough times can help you accept and move forward from any tragedy. This illness is often present in soldiers that have returned home from the war but can also be caused by other traumas. Focusing on suffering soldiers here is some more detail. "People who suffer from PTSD often suffer from nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, and feeling emotionally numb. It often has symptoms like depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, and other physical and mental health problems. The disorder is also associated with difficulties in social or family life, including occupational instability, marital problems, family discord, and difficulties in parenting." (http://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-overview.html) Obviously Post Traumatic Stress is extremely life altering and can really put you in a place of darkness. It would take someone who is truly strong and open to having their family's support and getting care. In the novel Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko, the main character, Tayo, suffers from PTS(D). He fought for the United States in Vietnam. "Jungle rain lay suspended in the air, choking their lungs as they marched; it soaked into their boots until the skin on their toes peeled away dead and wounds turned green." (Silko 10) This is a great depiction of how vivid the memories are. In Tayo's mind, he still feels this and he still feels it so vividly that the reader has the ability to feel it too. Tayo really struggled with these vivid flashbacks and haunting memories but eventually he got the help he needed and his numbness wore off. He had the strength to push through the illness and move on. Even though reading about PTS(D) is interesting, nothing is more moving than hearing about it first hand. After watching the presentation done by Navy Seal, Clay, everything really set in. He describe stories of the war that were heartbreaking and he described what it was like to experience Post Traumatic Stress from those experiences. One story he described was about a girl that was in a dress and crossing a really busy road. He said she looked about twelve, the same age as his daughter. Her face was emotionless and it didn't really add up. Clay made the quick decision to end her life. She ended up having a bomb strapped to her and she was coming to sacrifice herself in order to kill everyone in the area where they were. He said that he learned to cope with his PTS(D) by recognizing that what he has done has been for his country. He says there are some really bad people out there and for this country's safety a price must be paid and unfortunately that is it. (Clay) One can only imagine how horrifying this would be. Clay says he still wakes up and the girl is standing in his room, or when he goes shopping she is there too, and even when he was standing there talking she was in the back of the room. He has found the strength to deal with these memories. Clearly, it still haunts him everyday and all the time but he is able to work with his illness to still live a good life. Traumas are tragedies but they are also a part of life. Not everyone has the ability to move forward from horrendous experiences because they are so vivid in their minds. It takes people with true strength to push through those times when PTS(D) is at its most vivid stage. It also takes people who can have an open mind and get the help and support they need. Not everyone has these capabilities but it is possible.
Seven Pounds
The film Seven Pounds portrays the beauty that lies in both life and death and how you cannot have one without the other. The movie can enlighten the viewer of that because it puts a new perspective on death. It doesn't not portray it in such a negative light as most films do. There is beauty in life and beauty in death, don't forget to recognize either. First off, there is a quote that describes the life and death throughout the film and how they are separate while still being intertwined. "Life is poured into death and death is poured into life without a drop being spilled." (Inspired by http://www.quotegarden.com/death.html) The entire film, these two concepts are displayed together in the same scenes. Much of this is done through the two main characters Ben Thomas and Emily Posa. Ben represents death and Emily represents life. The story shows the beauty in how they are connected. There is a scene where Ben feeds Duke, Emily's dog a piece of meat and Emily hears them and comes running out. She is surrounded by light, trees, and plants which are all symbols of life. (Seven Pounds) Throughout the movie, she is constantly surrounded by these things. That is what is beautiful about her, is she is so alive even though she is dying. In her personality, setting, and hobbies she conveys life. On the other hand, the whole movie Ben is placed in dark settings with dust and clutter. A lot of the time his face shows sadness and depression. He has a lot of flashbacks to the accident and his wife. (Seven Pounds) Ben is death. Ben died in the accident when his fiancé died but his body is still here on Earth, he just isn't living. The beauty in Ben's metaphorical death is that with death he is giving so much life to so many people. He makes Emily feel happy and special and gives so much to so many. When he actually dies, he gives literal life to seven people or makes their lives worth living again which is such a unique and beautiful thing. Also, when his heart stops beating he can release all the pain, sadness, and guilt that he carries with him everyday. This is a lesson to be learned. There is sadness in death but also in life. Death isn't all sadness and grief, but relief and sometimes it is lovely to realize that it is such a wonderful cycle the world goes through.
Press Pause Play
Press Pause Play captures so many capabilities and different aspects of the world's media scene today. The media allows people to reach their goals with hard work and determination. With passion comes success. A great example of this is Olafur Arnalds, one of the Musicians interviewed in Press Pause Play. He talks about the unique kind of music he is sharing with the world. Olafur says, "I play... crossover classical music into pop music. Trying to make classical music popular." (Press Pause Play) Classical music has never been a chart topper. He describes his challenge here, that he is trying to reach the world with his musical idea. Adding on to that, Olafur says, "I do think I love the classical scene. It's very divided from the rest of the world and I would like to see this divide broken down. I would like to see classical music as just another genre." (Press Pause Play) He touches on the fact that although classical music is technically just another genre but it isn't really in reality. It doesn't stand out and most people do not seek out classical music. It is a hidden genre. He was determined and passionate about reaching these goals so he just kept doing what he loved. He kept making music, he kept trying to make classical music reachable by the general population and he found success. Olafur says, "I started making the music... early 2006. I recorded my first album... then I think only three, four months after I actually put some of the music online. I was playing the first shows and they were already sold out." (Press Pause Play) He found success by committing to his passion and to his goal. He kept making music and stayed true to his dream of making classical pop music. Now he is known around the world and touring. Through technology this world has the ability to share and find so many different ideas. This shows that everyone should share their passions and strive to achieve them because now more people have the ability to reach success.
Media
Being passionate about something is one of the most lovely things about human life. The drive of Sir Ken Robinson is truly inspiring. He has committed his life to bringing about educational reform not only in the United States but around the world. Dedicate your life to making the world a better place. Go where no one has gone before. Point out flaws, but never forget to provide solutions. On his website Robinson explains his goal. Robinson says, "There’s a consistent mission in all of this and if I were to sum it up in a sentence, this is it: 'to transform the culture of education and organizations with a richer conception of human creativity and intelligence.'" (http://sirkenrobinson.com) He displays amazing dedication and speaks out for, not himself, but for the bettering of entire countries. This is an incredible confidence and drive to have. His work has cause an epiphany for so many, some not even realizing how behind education systems are. Also on his website is a quote about the impact his work has had. “If there was a moment when our crisis in education hit critical mass it may well have been the date Sir Ken Robinson’s TED talk went up on YouTube. In just 19 minutes his wry but eviscerating presentation gave voice to what so many of us are living through: our schools are failing to recognize creativity; we’re failing to prepare the next generation for the challenges that lie ahead.” (Vanity Fair, http://sirkenrobinson.com) Like stated, his accusations pointed out so many problems at once. Things no one so diligently pointed out before. Only such a drive as his can bring about real awareness and real change. The problems are all suggested in his Ted talk, titled Changing Paradigms. He paints a clear picture of the real issues with the system and explains why things should not be this way. Robinson says,"We still educate children by batches; we put them through the system by age group - why do we do that? Why is there this assumption that the most important thing kids have in common is how old they are. It's like the most important thing about them is their date of manufacture. Well I know kids who are much better than other kids at the same age in different disciplines, or at different times of the day, or better in smaller groups than in large groups, or sometimes they want to be on their own. If you're interested in the model of learning you don't start from this production line mentality." (Changing Paradigms) Everyone is so used to the education system, it has been virtually the same for so long. He points things out that most never think about on their own. The system puts every child in a box. Every of one age has to be in the same grade, take the same classes, and learn the same way. One must wonder if the education system can really be productive and worthwhile. Ultimately, Robinson is the type of guy to stand alone if he is standing for something he believes in. Everyone should strive to be this way and be as committed to fixing the issues as he is. The world would be an incredible place if everyone was this dedicated.
Craigslist Joe
In a world where technology runs our daily lives it is easy to feel lost and disconnected. Some wonder what the culture misses out on while letting technology be a distraction. Interaction and community is still here, it is just harder to find. If you seek out connection, connection will seek out you. In Craigslist Joe, Joseph Garner tests whether or not community still exists in the modern world. This is an introduction to his project. "Many were skeptical that today’s self-involved society would be able to weather the storm without its traditional social supports... Could he survive with nothing, apart from the goodwill of others?" (http://www.craigslistjoe.com/project/about-craigslist-joe/) By leaving everything he knew and everyone he loved he was taking a risk. He was consumed with finding people who would selflessly give with no reward and not knowing him at all to begin with. Garner knows what people say, that with the standards and norms in technology is cannot be done. The community just isn't structured the way it used to be. Garner says, "As a country we're wealthy, diverse, and technologically sophisticated yet some say we have lost the sense of community that used to carry us through tough times. Today it is every person for themselves. Some say technology and social media fuel this isolation." (Craigslist Joe) Despite considering the possibility that no one would help him he still set out to find the generosity and draw out the community. It was tough but as a result he was so touched and so amazed by what the world still has to offer. Reflecting on his experience, Garner says, "By far and away the most inspiring... experience of my life... the generosity of people... the stories they share and the connection I've made in one month was so deep... We can take care of each other." (Craigslist Joe) He receives the most spectacular outcome. Everyone is generous and he meets so many people that are each special and have something of their own to give. Technology can be a positive thing that promotes the sense of community and relationships in society. It just has to be used correctly. If individuals can find a balance between the real world and the technological world, the sense of community will be stronger than ever. It is just a matter of taking the time to seek out others and enjoy the company of the people in this world.
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