Imagine by Christine Clark tells the story of a young college aged woman and her experience of breaking the “American Bubble” and internalizing what truly is going on in the world and the help that is needed. We start with a girl who is wrapped up in the things she doesn’t have, ugg boots, an iPod, parents who will listen, and who’s biggest concern is that she needs to go to the gym. She finally has a chance to meet a man who tells her a story of how he escaped from a terrible situation in Africa and underwent more hardships than are imaginable. I enjoyed and agreed wholeheartedly with the authors story, and was particularly impressed by the clever mechanisms of facebook status updates. We see her go from the girl who was excited about her caffeinated cherry coke, to realizing that she herself was a spoiled brat, to finally deciding that she was going to make a difference. I myself can personally relate to this realization and the feeling of needing to make a difference. Although instead of donating to the cause as Christine did I have let this desire to help affect my choice of a minor. Just like the author I allow this feeling of compassion and a desire to help to fuel my everyday life, both in school and in principles. I also enjoyed the portrayal of the power of stories, for they truly are powerful, both in word and song, and truly do have the power to change lives.
wow this was such a great response! i really enjoyed reading about this story and your thoughts on it. I think we have all felt that feeling before... coming to realize that we are blessed with so much and deciding to find a way to make a difference in the world. this story sounds great and i think it would be a great one for everyone to read. i liked your point on how our decision to make a difference doesn't necessarily mean that we have to donate a bunch of money but it can be something really simple. Just reading this short little post from you has been a great reminder to continuously seek out a way to make a difference and not think about myself.
ReplyDeleteStories like this always seem to have an impact on me. When I was younger I remember that I was pretty ungrateful, but as I have gotten older and heard stories like this one it makes me more and more grateful for the things I do have everyday. Although, I feel that I am a more grateful person now I have also realized that my prayers are not very good. I spend a lot more time praying for blessings than I do kneeling and showing gratitude. I hope that I can improve in that, and am glad that this story and your input has reminded me. I’m glad that you have already learned these lessons and look to be better everyday. So you said that stories are powerful, but it has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. So I was wondering, in your opinion, which is more powerful?
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