For this Journal I read an essay in the book called “Creative Solutions to Life’s Challenges”. The main idea of this piece that I noticed was that challenges that you experience in life have solutions, and sometimes those solutions are not what you expected them to be. Some solutions in life that you thought wouldn’t fix the problem that you have, actually do.
In this essay, the narrator talks about his mom making toys for them when they were younger and making a prom dress too. The narrator stated that he and his siblings were happy kids growing up. That they were given the opportunity to express themselves and to discover new things. A statement from this chapter that helped me find the main idea would be the statement of “Many of life’s challenges need creative solutions. I believe creativity — in all its many forms — can change the way we think and operate.” Some solutions in life can actually be more positive in your life, and these solutions could have been something you didn’t think was going to work. In life people can think that things have to go their way, that happens to me personally all the time. Some things in life that don’t go your way, can actually be better than what you originally thought. We have to see how all solutions will work in life’s challenges, because limiting ourselves to only one way to fix things is closing doors to different opportunities in life.
I read An Honest Doubter by Elizabeth Deutsch who is from Shaker Heights, Ohio and was 16 years old at the time of writing it. She was the youngest author for the book. She talks about how by 16 most of her friends have tied themselves to a religion, usually the one their parents brought them up with. I really connected with this piece because 3 years ago when I was 16 (that’s so odd to think that was already 3 years ago), I also was trying to figure out if religion was for me. I researched and watched videos, often talking with my friends too about their religions. I wanted to learn all I could and make the decision right for me. “In my search for a personal faith, I consider it my duty to expose myself to all forms of religion” (Deutsch 53). She truly grapples with faith and exposes herself to as much as possible to find what works for her. I think religion as a concept is extremely interesting and learning of other cultures and religions helps grow a well rounded mind. I personally do not attach to one religion. I think there are some things that are destined to happen in your life, but other than that you have complete free will. The universe sends us all signs in different ways from different deities or family members as well. Religion is such a personal thing as well, everyone does it differently and I think that is the real beauty behind it.
For this journal, I read The Power of Presence by Debbie Hall. The whole point of this piece was to show how important it is to others just to be there. She goes through several stories about just being there for those she loves in times of need. For example, she talks about when she visited an evacuee shelter after hurricane Katrina. The survivors immediately were gracious of her presence. This further proves her belief of the power of presence. I really like this ideal because I also believe in the power of presence. Whenever someone I love is not okay, I just like to be there with them and then if they need to talk about it then i’m there.
For this journal, I read “A Shared Moment of Trust” by Warren Christopher, and his main point is that our futures are shaped not only by our own choices, but also by other people, circumstances, luck, and forces beyond our control. He illustrates this by describing the experience of passing someone on a two-lane highway at night, where each driver is relying on the other not to be distracted, fall asleep, or make a mistake. Even though the two drivers never speak, they trust each other in that brief moment.
Christopher also talks about his work negotiating with the Algerian foreign minister to receive and transmit messages to fifty-two American hostages in Iran. He didn’t know the minister personally, but he still had to trust him in order to help bring the hostages home. This shows how often we depend on strangers, even in high-stakes situations.
One moment that really supports his main idea is when he writes: “So, while each of us faces—at one time or another—the prospect of driving alone down a dark road, what we must learn with experience is that the approaching light may not be a threat, but a shared moment of trust.” I think this quote solidifies his theme because it shows that sometimes we have to have a kind of blind faith in one another. Not every unknown is a danger; sometimes, it’s a reminder of the trust we all rely on to move through the world.
The This I Believe essay I decided to read was called “The Benefits of Restlessness and Jagged Edges”. This essay was written by Kay Redfield Jamison, a professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The main idea of the piece was the author conveying her experiences with being diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 18. With her condition, she frequently experiences ups and downs with her moods that she describes as a “frightening, chaotic, and emotional ride”. At the beginning of her diagnosis, she envied people who were always able to feel a sense of “calmness” in their everyday lives, people who seemed perfectly put together and happy. But over time, she has come to recognize the vitality of intensity and suffering in her life. Rather than viewing extreme emotions as inhibitions, she believes that they can instead become the greatest teachers. In this essay, she encourages the reader to also recognize the capability of their own emotions, not to shy away from them simply because of how overwhelming and uncomfortable they might be, because strong feelings can lead to other things, like passion and curiosity, that have the power and potential to change the world for good. The main thesis of this essay can be seen when the author states, “I have come to see how important a certain restlessness and discontent can be in one’s life; how important the jagged edges and pain can be in determining the course and force of one’s life.” (Page 127). To me, this quote solidifies the author’s belief that intense emotions, in this case restlessness and discontent, contrary to what many people say, do not have to be hidden and kept under restraint. Instead, intensity, and even pain, can be directed toward a cause or belief, giving strength and force behind a certain way of thinking and living that then not only impacts an individual’s life, but also impacts the lives of those around them, and could one day change the world.
Madison Robinson
Journal #27
This I Believe
I read Cecile Gilmer’s essay titled “The People Who Love You When No One Else Will” (75-79). The main idea of this piece focused on the idea that family is not always centered around those who are related to you by blood, but around those who support you and are there for you throughout each phase of life. In the essay, Gilmer starts by explaining her difficult living situation in a hotel with her father, leading her best friends’ parents to allow her to live with them for over seven years. This shows the kindess and consideration of the family and how she was able to think of them as her family. One piece that supports the main idea is towards the end of the essay where Gilmer states, “they gave me a home that allowed me to grow and change; they kept me from being paralyzed by my past, and they gave me the confidence to open my heart” (Gilmer, 77). For me, this solidified the belief that family can be more than blood, and for some people, blood relatives can not be considered true family. In Gilmer’s case, her life was preserved and improved due to the kindness of a family that had no blood relation to her.
I read “Why I Close My Restaurant”, by George Mardikian. He is an immigrant from Armenia, who writes about the tradition him and his wife have on Christmas Eve, and why this tradition is so important to him. The main idea of this piece was the kindness shared by every human being. I do not believe those who say that humans are inherently greedy and selfish; I think the concept that we display of kindness is proof of that. George agrees as well. He talks about how kind people have been to him in his every day life in America, and how grateful he feels to experience that. The tradition he shares on Christmas Eve, in his restaurant, is very special. He closes the restaurant to the public, and makes/serves so much food for the staff he employs. He says that he does this to give back to a country that has shown him such kindness from the day he immigrated from Armenia. He also talks about how much he values true friendship and love, as well as mutual respect for others.
For this journal I read “The Connection between Strangers” by Miles Goodwin. The main idea of this piece is connecting with others, reaching out to one another and overall showing kindness and compassion. I connected with this piece because I believe it is so important to just show kindness to others especially since you never know what someone else is going through. I don’t feel like it is harder to show kindness to others and just give someone a quick compliment or just be there to listen when someone needs it. A piece in this essay that I really enjoyed was when the author said “I believe in the connection between strangers when they reach out to one another” (82). I really liked this line because I think it has a lot of importance to it. If you are thinking of someone or noticing someone having a hard time I think it is so important to reach out and check in or even just show kindness to them and I believe this can go a long way for someone without even realizing its true impact.
I read Talking with the Sun by Joy Harjo. It’s a very spiritual piece. Harjo explains how she believes in the sun, and the connection she has towards it. By feeling an attachment with the sun, and being under the stars and sky, she feels much smaller. She also speaks a lot on her culture, and how they appreciate the sun. There is such diversity within this piece, she emphasizes not only the relationship that humans have with the sun, but also how we, as a species, are harming the planet. To solidify her thesis, the author wrote, “The sun, the earth, and these humans are still together in a harmonious relationship.” To provide some context, she was writing about a ceremony that she participates in to continue the rise of the sun. I think this is fascinating to learn about. I’ve read this piece a few times throughout the semester, I really like the thought of feeling connected to the sun.
I read The Willingness to Work for Solutions By Newt Gingrich. The central idea of this piece is that civilization is far more fragile than we like to believe, and that our freedom and prosperity survive only through strong leadership, courageous citizens, and a willingness to confront difficult problems. What struck me most was the author’s moment at Checkpoint Charlie, where he realized that millions of people had lived behind the Berlin Wall under oppression not long ago. Standing there helped him see how quickly the world can change and how easily safety and freedom can disappear. This example made the message feel real reminding us that maintaining a stable and free society requires constant effort and awareness.
For this journal I read “Always Go to the Funeral” by Deirdre Sullivan. On the surface this is a piece about always going to people’s funerals, even when you really might not want to. But in deeper meaning it is about doing small things for others even when it is inconvenient for us. The author believes in always showing up to funerals despite inconvenience or mixed feelings. Showing up in itself is an act of kindness and respect not only to the person who has passed, but especially to their grieving loved ones, who are likely looking for any sign that things will be okay. The author states that her father is the one who taught her to always go to the funeral no matter what, and that his passing solidified this belief inside of her. She describes feeling numb and empty for days, but that the sight of all the people filling the church who showed up to support her and to remember her father changed that feeling for a moment. She then goes on to state; “The most human, powerful, and humbling thing I’ve ever seen was a church at 3:00 on a Wednesday full of inconvenienced people who believe in going to the funeral. That line in particular really stood out to me and helped me to understand the piece better. I picked this piece because it stood out to me, and I felt I could relate to it. Over the summer I attended 2 funerals, both of which I was hesitant to attend since I wasn’t really close to the people who had passed. But being in the room, seeing the family and sharing kind thoughts and hugs, made me realize that just showing up is enough to make an impact. In the words of the author; “Most days, my real battle is doing good versus doing nothing.” I believe that it is worth it to do good over doing nothing, even if it’s something as simple as showing up.
For this journal I read In Praise of the “Wobblies” by Ted Gup. This was a personal essay about the author’s own thoughts and the idea of being indecisive. Being open-minded and questioning is neither a strength or weakness, this is what the author calls “Wobblies”, they can help society connect. The author got rejected from a job, but “he said I was too young for the job but he likes my attitude”(Gup 98). He ended up getting hired by the same guy seven years later. He later realized that him being “perplexed” made him realize his indecisiveness was acceptable. Overall, this experience marks a turning point where he begins to accept his tendency to be uncertain in certain situations, seeing it as a positive trait and seeing himself grow from it. This “wobbly” state as Gup calls it, is a term to describe people like himself who embrace the trait and find it to be used as a strength rather than a weakness.
Journal #27:
Who did you read?
The People Who Love You When No One Else Will by Cecile Gilmer
What’s the big idea in this piece?
The big idea in this piece is that family is defined by love, loyalty, and support, not necessarily by blood. Gilmer argues that the people who truly become family are the ones who consistently show up, care for you, and provide stability, even if they aren’t related by blood. Growing up with a mother who struggled with addiction and instability, Gilmer learned early on that DNA alone doesn’t guarantee love or safety. Her thesis is that chosen family can be more meaningful, more dependable, and more loving that biological family, because chosen family is built on commitment rather than obligation. Through the influence of the Gilmer family, who welcomed her unconditionally, she demonstrates that genuine family comes from the people who actively support you during your hardest moments. The essay asserts that real family is created through actions (love, commitment, and care), not genetics.
Explain one example or moment in the essay that helped solidify and support the main idea or thesis of the essay:
One moment that supports the main idea and solidifies the thesis is when Gilmer describes how her friends’ family took her in during high school and treated her as one of their own. She explains throughout the essay that she was given a place to live, structure, expectations, and emotional support. These were all things that her biological family, due to their own instability, could not provide her. This moment is powerful because it shows the difference between obligation and choice. The Gilmer’s had no obligation to help her, but they did anyway. Their actions illustrate Gilmer’s belief that real family is formed through love and commitment rather than genetics. This experience becomes proof of her thesis: that the people who choose to love you, especially when you feel unwanted or unsupported, often become the most authentic and meaningful family you have.
The essay that I chose was John Updike’s “Testing the Limits of What I Know and Feel”. In this essay Updike reflects on the beliefs that guide his life, particularly as a writer, a citizen, and a thinker. Updike argues that the things he values most (art,democracy, and faith) force him to grapple with the deepest, most uncertain parts of what he knows and feels, and that this grappling is not only valuable but essential. One moment in the essay that supports Updike’s main idea is when he explains that writing fiction is what truly tests what he knows and feels. He says that when he creates characters and imagines their lives, he is pushed to explore experiences, emotions, and ideas more deeply than he can in everyday thinking. Updike even admits that writing honest essays, like this one, can feel limiting because he has to be careful not to oversimplify his own voice. This moment shows that fiction challenges him in ways that stretch both his mind and his emotions, which supports his thesis that real understanding comes from pushing himself to the limits of his knowledge and feelings.
I read an essay called “Good Can Be as Communicable as Evil”.
The main idea of this piece was highlighting how many of the news stations and publicized media are of bad events, or bad things that people have done. This could be to one another, or to the environment. The author’s point is that bad news is not the only news out there, and there are many good things that happen, but don’t make the headlines. He says that we should look for small, good things in life. The story he tells at the start of the writing was of a time when he was watching a baseball game, and how when a pitcher accidentally hit the baller with the ball, he visually apologized to him. That connected with the author, and he remembered it many years after. It made him think about how we can all be nicer, and that also made me think of how when someone is nice about a mistake you make, or just nice in general, conflict can be avoided, and it can make your day a lot better. It is cool how something so small can improve your day so much.
15 thoughts on “JOURNAL # 27”
Journal #27
For this Journal I read an essay in the book called “Creative Solutions to Life’s Challenges”. The main idea of this piece that I noticed was that challenges that you experience in life have solutions, and sometimes those solutions are not what you expected them to be. Some solutions in life that you thought wouldn’t fix the problem that you have, actually do.
In this essay, the narrator talks about his mom making toys for them when they were younger and making a prom dress too. The narrator stated that he and his siblings were happy kids growing up. That they were given the opportunity to express themselves and to discover new things. A statement from this chapter that helped me find the main idea would be the statement of “Many of life’s challenges need creative solutions. I believe creativity — in all its many forms — can change the way we think and operate.” Some solutions in life can actually be more positive in your life, and these solutions could have been something you didn’t think was going to work. In life people can think that things have to go their way, that happens to me personally all the time. Some things in life that don’t go your way, can actually be better than what you originally thought. We have to see how all solutions will work in life’s challenges, because limiting ourselves to only one way to fix things is closing doors to different opportunities in life.
I read An Honest Doubter by Elizabeth Deutsch who is from Shaker Heights, Ohio and was 16 years old at the time of writing it. She was the youngest author for the book. She talks about how by 16 most of her friends have tied themselves to a religion, usually the one their parents brought them up with. I really connected with this piece because 3 years ago when I was 16 (that’s so odd to think that was already 3 years ago), I also was trying to figure out if religion was for me. I researched and watched videos, often talking with my friends too about their religions. I wanted to learn all I could and make the decision right for me. “In my search for a personal faith, I consider it my duty to expose myself to all forms of religion” (Deutsch 53). She truly grapples with faith and exposes herself to as much as possible to find what works for her. I think religion as a concept is extremely interesting and learning of other cultures and religions helps grow a well rounded mind. I personally do not attach to one religion. I think there are some things that are destined to happen in your life, but other than that you have complete free will. The universe sends us all signs in different ways from different deities or family members as well. Religion is such a personal thing as well, everyone does it differently and I think that is the real beauty behind it.
For this journal, I read The Power of Presence by Debbie Hall. The whole point of this piece was to show how important it is to others just to be there. She goes through several stories about just being there for those she loves in times of need. For example, she talks about when she visited an evacuee shelter after hurricane Katrina. The survivors immediately were gracious of her presence. This further proves her belief of the power of presence. I really like this ideal because I also believe in the power of presence. Whenever someone I love is not okay, I just like to be there with them and then if they need to talk about it then i’m there.
For this journal, I read “A Shared Moment of Trust” by Warren Christopher, and his main point is that our futures are shaped not only by our own choices, but also by other people, circumstances, luck, and forces beyond our control. He illustrates this by describing the experience of passing someone on a two-lane highway at night, where each driver is relying on the other not to be distracted, fall asleep, or make a mistake. Even though the two drivers never speak, they trust each other in that brief moment.
Christopher also talks about his work negotiating with the Algerian foreign minister to receive and transmit messages to fifty-two American hostages in Iran. He didn’t know the minister personally, but he still had to trust him in order to help bring the hostages home. This shows how often we depend on strangers, even in high-stakes situations.
One moment that really supports his main idea is when he writes: “So, while each of us faces—at one time or another—the prospect of driving alone down a dark road, what we must learn with experience is that the approaching light may not be a threat, but a shared moment of trust.” I think this quote solidifies his theme because it shows that sometimes we have to have a kind of blind faith in one another. Not every unknown is a danger; sometimes, it’s a reminder of the trust we all rely on to move through the world.
The This I Believe essay I decided to read was called “The Benefits of Restlessness and Jagged Edges”. This essay was written by Kay Redfield Jamison, a professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The main idea of the piece was the author conveying her experiences with being diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 18. With her condition, she frequently experiences ups and downs with her moods that she describes as a “frightening, chaotic, and emotional ride”. At the beginning of her diagnosis, she envied people who were always able to feel a sense of “calmness” in their everyday lives, people who seemed perfectly put together and happy. But over time, she has come to recognize the vitality of intensity and suffering in her life. Rather than viewing extreme emotions as inhibitions, she believes that they can instead become the greatest teachers. In this essay, she encourages the reader to also recognize the capability of their own emotions, not to shy away from them simply because of how overwhelming and uncomfortable they might be, because strong feelings can lead to other things, like passion and curiosity, that have the power and potential to change the world for good. The main thesis of this essay can be seen when the author states, “I have come to see how important a certain restlessness and discontent can be in one’s life; how important the jagged edges and pain can be in determining the course and force of one’s life.” (Page 127). To me, this quote solidifies the author’s belief that intense emotions, in this case restlessness and discontent, contrary to what many people say, do not have to be hidden and kept under restraint. Instead, intensity, and even pain, can be directed toward a cause or belief, giving strength and force behind a certain way of thinking and living that then not only impacts an individual’s life, but also impacts the lives of those around them, and could one day change the world.
Madison Robinson
Journal #27
This I Believe
I read Cecile Gilmer’s essay titled “The People Who Love You When No One Else Will” (75-79). The main idea of this piece focused on the idea that family is not always centered around those who are related to you by blood, but around those who support you and are there for you throughout each phase of life. In the essay, Gilmer starts by explaining her difficult living situation in a hotel with her father, leading her best friends’ parents to allow her to live with them for over seven years. This shows the kindess and consideration of the family and how she was able to think of them as her family. One piece that supports the main idea is towards the end of the essay where Gilmer states, “they gave me a home that allowed me to grow and change; they kept me from being paralyzed by my past, and they gave me the confidence to open my heart” (Gilmer, 77). For me, this solidified the belief that family can be more than blood, and for some people, blood relatives can not be considered true family. In Gilmer’s case, her life was preserved and improved due to the kindness of a family that had no blood relation to her.
I read “Why I Close My Restaurant”, by George Mardikian. He is an immigrant from Armenia, who writes about the tradition him and his wife have on Christmas Eve, and why this tradition is so important to him. The main idea of this piece was the kindness shared by every human being. I do not believe those who say that humans are inherently greedy and selfish; I think the concept that we display of kindness is proof of that. George agrees as well. He talks about how kind people have been to him in his every day life in America, and how grateful he feels to experience that. The tradition he shares on Christmas Eve, in his restaurant, is very special. He closes the restaurant to the public, and makes/serves so much food for the staff he employs. He says that he does this to give back to a country that has shown him such kindness from the day he immigrated from Armenia. He also talks about how much he values true friendship and love, as well as mutual respect for others.
For this journal I read “The Connection between Strangers” by Miles Goodwin. The main idea of this piece is connecting with others, reaching out to one another and overall showing kindness and compassion. I connected with this piece because I believe it is so important to just show kindness to others especially since you never know what someone else is going through. I don’t feel like it is harder to show kindness to others and just give someone a quick compliment or just be there to listen when someone needs it. A piece in this essay that I really enjoyed was when the author said “I believe in the connection between strangers when they reach out to one another” (82). I really liked this line because I think it has a lot of importance to it. If you are thinking of someone or noticing someone having a hard time I think it is so important to reach out and check in or even just show kindness to them and I believe this can go a long way for someone without even realizing its true impact.
I read Talking with the Sun by Joy Harjo. It’s a very spiritual piece. Harjo explains how she believes in the sun, and the connection she has towards it. By feeling an attachment with the sun, and being under the stars and sky, she feels much smaller. She also speaks a lot on her culture, and how they appreciate the sun. There is such diversity within this piece, she emphasizes not only the relationship that humans have with the sun, but also how we, as a species, are harming the planet. To solidify her thesis, the author wrote, “The sun, the earth, and these humans are still together in a harmonious relationship.” To provide some context, she was writing about a ceremony that she participates in to continue the rise of the sun. I think this is fascinating to learn about. I’ve read this piece a few times throughout the semester, I really like the thought of feeling connected to the sun.
I read The Willingness to Work for Solutions By Newt Gingrich. The central idea of this piece is that civilization is far more fragile than we like to believe, and that our freedom and prosperity survive only through strong leadership, courageous citizens, and a willingness to confront difficult problems. What struck me most was the author’s moment at Checkpoint Charlie, where he realized that millions of people had lived behind the Berlin Wall under oppression not long ago. Standing there helped him see how quickly the world can change and how easily safety and freedom can disappear. This example made the message feel real reminding us that maintaining a stable and free society requires constant effort and awareness.
For this journal I read “Always Go to the Funeral” by Deirdre Sullivan. On the surface this is a piece about always going to people’s funerals, even when you really might not want to. But in deeper meaning it is about doing small things for others even when it is inconvenient for us. The author believes in always showing up to funerals despite inconvenience or mixed feelings. Showing up in itself is an act of kindness and respect not only to the person who has passed, but especially to their grieving loved ones, who are likely looking for any sign that things will be okay. The author states that her father is the one who taught her to always go to the funeral no matter what, and that his passing solidified this belief inside of her. She describes feeling numb and empty for days, but that the sight of all the people filling the church who showed up to support her and to remember her father changed that feeling for a moment. She then goes on to state; “The most human, powerful, and humbling thing I’ve ever seen was a church at 3:00 on a Wednesday full of inconvenienced people who believe in going to the funeral. That line in particular really stood out to me and helped me to understand the piece better. I picked this piece because it stood out to me, and I felt I could relate to it. Over the summer I attended 2 funerals, both of which I was hesitant to attend since I wasn’t really close to the people who had passed. But being in the room, seeing the family and sharing kind thoughts and hugs, made me realize that just showing up is enough to make an impact. In the words of the author; “Most days, my real battle is doing good versus doing nothing.” I believe that it is worth it to do good over doing nothing, even if it’s something as simple as showing up.
Journal #27
For this journal I read In Praise of the “Wobblies” by Ted Gup. This was a personal essay about the author’s own thoughts and the idea of being indecisive. Being open-minded and questioning is neither a strength or weakness, this is what the author calls “Wobblies”, they can help society connect. The author got rejected from a job, but “he said I was too young for the job but he likes my attitude”(Gup 98). He ended up getting hired by the same guy seven years later. He later realized that him being “perplexed” made him realize his indecisiveness was acceptable. Overall, this experience marks a turning point where he begins to accept his tendency to be uncertain in certain situations, seeing it as a positive trait and seeing himself grow from it. This “wobbly” state as Gup calls it, is a term to describe people like himself who embrace the trait and find it to be used as a strength rather than a weakness.
Journal #27:
Who did you read?
The People Who Love You When No One Else Will by Cecile Gilmer
What’s the big idea in this piece?
The big idea in this piece is that family is defined by love, loyalty, and support, not necessarily by blood. Gilmer argues that the people who truly become family are the ones who consistently show up, care for you, and provide stability, even if they aren’t related by blood. Growing up with a mother who struggled with addiction and instability, Gilmer learned early on that DNA alone doesn’t guarantee love or safety. Her thesis is that chosen family can be more meaningful, more dependable, and more loving that biological family, because chosen family is built on commitment rather than obligation. Through the influence of the Gilmer family, who welcomed her unconditionally, she demonstrates that genuine family comes from the people who actively support you during your hardest moments. The essay asserts that real family is created through actions (love, commitment, and care), not genetics.
Explain one example or moment in the essay that helped solidify and support the main idea or thesis of the essay:
One moment that supports the main idea and solidifies the thesis is when Gilmer describes how her friends’ family took her in during high school and treated her as one of their own. She explains throughout the essay that she was given a place to live, structure, expectations, and emotional support. These were all things that her biological family, due to their own instability, could not provide her. This moment is powerful because it shows the difference between obligation and choice. The Gilmer’s had no obligation to help her, but they did anyway. Their actions illustrate Gilmer’s belief that real family is formed through love and commitment rather than genetics. This experience becomes proof of her thesis: that the people who choose to love you, especially when you feel unwanted or unsupported, often become the most authentic and meaningful family you have.
The essay that I chose was John Updike’s “Testing the Limits of What I Know and Feel”. In this essay Updike reflects on the beliefs that guide his life, particularly as a writer, a citizen, and a thinker. Updike argues that the things he values most (art,democracy, and faith) force him to grapple with the deepest, most uncertain parts of what he knows and feels, and that this grappling is not only valuable but essential. One moment in the essay that supports Updike’s main idea is when he explains that writing fiction is what truly tests what he knows and feels. He says that when he creates characters and imagines their lives, he is pushed to explore experiences, emotions, and ideas more deeply than he can in everyday thinking. Updike even admits that writing honest essays, like this one, can feel limiting because he has to be careful not to oversimplify his own voice. This moment shows that fiction challenges him in ways that stretch both his mind and his emotions, which supports his thesis that real understanding comes from pushing himself to the limits of his knowledge and feelings.
I read an essay called “Good Can Be as Communicable as Evil”.
The main idea of this piece was highlighting how many of the news stations and publicized media are of bad events, or bad things that people have done. This could be to one another, or to the environment. The author’s point is that bad news is not the only news out there, and there are many good things that happen, but don’t make the headlines. He says that we should look for small, good things in life. The story he tells at the start of the writing was of a time when he was watching a baseball game, and how when a pitcher accidentally hit the baller with the ball, he visually apologized to him. That connected with the author, and he remembered it many years after. It made him think about how we can all be nicer, and that also made me think of how when someone is nice about a mistake you make, or just nice in general, conflict can be avoided, and it can make your day a lot better. It is cool how something so small can improve your day so much.