Student’s Name
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Journal 1: Being Optimistic
“Each new year is a surprise to us. We find that we had virtually forgotten the note of each bird, and when we hear it again, it is remembered like a dream, reminding us of a previous state of existence. How happens it that the associations it awakens are always pleasing, never saddening; reminiscences of our sanest hours? The voice of nature is always encouraging” (Thoreau 194).
Optimism is a powerful vehicle that will drive someone up the hills of discouragement and scorn. There is a power that resides within us. When we activate our inner senses, there is a small voice that speaks after the giants. The giants express the impossibility and defeat. Since there is no appreciation and no present reward, it looks like the end of the road. Every engagement is measured by the fruits it will bear both at present and in the future. The future benefit is not visible by those without the right vision.
Whatever we do does not pass the eyes of the nature, and when the right time comes, nature comes with its reward. It does not pay to do things for people to see, rather, it pays for it for the benefit of those who cannot see you doing it. Thousands will tell you that you cannot make it. There is no plateau yet, and it is only created in the mind. The journey has never been smooth, but the tough will keep walking. The physical energy is never enough to sustain you although. It is only the inner energy that supplies your strength when you are done. Walk with a positive heart and a strong spirit. Those who present a thousand reasons to give up should be confronted with ten thousand reasons to move on. Positive contribution cannot be made without a positive mind.
Journal 2: Human Life and Diversity
Quote
“Man is a past phenomenon to philosophy. Some rarely go outdoors; most are always at home at night” (Thoreau 84).
Human life is characterized by diversity. People differ in race, religion, education excellence, marital status and places of residence, among others. A bigger categorization that cuts across the whole world exists and separates between the poor and the rich. Thoreau’s error has presented a man that sleeps in a cave, but the modern society has people sleeping in the caves too. It was unusual for you to see a man sleep in a cave. Unless someone lacks a home, it is needless for someone to sleep in a cold cave all night alone. We live in a society, with rational human beings created and loved by God. Everyone has a responsibility to take care of each other within the community. It is so even in the world of today.
Several people lack homes. There are several street families sleeping in the cold, hungry and uncomforted. One can doubt whether the local community, the government and the world can take care of those neglected in the community. If compassion drives people, they could not let anyone spend the night in the cold, helpless. How could the government and the most able individuals take the initiative to rescue those in such conditions? Everyone has the ability and everyone has space. All of us can take a positive step towards changing the world of the less privileged and bring them to a level they can enjoy the life and the creation that God has placed around them.
Journal 3: Loving Nature
Quote
“A catbird has her nest in our grove. We cast out strips of white cotton cloth all of which she picked up and used. I saw a bird flying across the street with so long a strip of cloth, or the like, the other day, and so slowly that at first I thought it was a little boy’s kite with a long tail” (Thoreau 194).
We all love and appreciate nature. Nothing is beautiful without the beauty of nature. The world presents us with every beautiful thing. Birds sing in the morning ushering the beauty of the new day. The blazing of the leaves of the trees and their artistic mixture of colors, inspire our feelings and thoughts and lives with awe and amazement. The waters flow down the stream, passes under the bridge and makes its way to the sea. The rolling waves of the ocean make us powerless and small. No one has seen a straight river because the beauty of the flowing water was concealed in the meandering path.
The ingenuity, power and sheer beauty of the nature is constantly fascinating to mankind. Sometimes we treat one another with cruelty, but when we look at the animals of the forest, we can’t stop to question our stupidity and arrogance. We can several lessons about the nature. This awe will lead us to questions of whether these wonders came by themselves or whether they were created. Hopefully, we can learn to appreciate the environment in which we live. Afterwards, I believe we can change our actions in the way we treat the environment. The lessons we draw can teach us how to dispose of the waste, the plastic bags we use every day, the smoke we release and the chemicals we channel to the beautiful rivers.
Journal 4: Self-Awareness and Reflection
Quote
“I want to go soon and live away by the pond, where I shall hear only the wind whispering among the reeds” (Thoreau 194).
Taking a break from the normal activities and taking time to reflect helps restore individual’s spirits. When our minds are in a rest mode, the interconnectivity of our brain functions the best. Most of the times we tend to focus on the external matters that are happening within our environment. We can make better judgments when at rest. In fact, the best ideas flow in the mind when it is at rest. There is more self-awareness when the mind is at rest because there are little or no interruptions. It is good to pursue education. We learn so much throughout the education system. We acquire the knowledge that has been transferred from one generation to another. New knowledge comes, and we always set our minds to receive it. Much attention is focused on education in the outside world at the expense of the inner reflective skills. However, we should realize the strength in the inner knowledge.
We need the power of reflection in order to build on our perceptions and interpretation of the knowledge we encode from the environment. The power of reflection is one important thing that we need to build ourselves. The inner energies will be revitalized when they are backed by the power of reflection. It is the time to turn inward and help our children become successful in building reflective skills the same way we emphasize skills in education. Children should be taught to create a balance between the outward learning and the inner learning. Normal lessons in schools should be followed by children’s quite time to bolster inward success. Inner reflection will help us focus and transfer the knowledge gained through education, to a new context and apply it appropriately.
Journal 5: The best from Life
Quote
“We are conversant with only one point of contact at a time, from which we receive a prompting and impulse and instantly pass to a new season or point of contact. A year is made up of a certain series and number of sensations and thoughts which have their language in nature” (Thoreau 180).
Raindrops fall from the sky, reminding me of the tears of the past days. The slashes as the sky turned gray. Al I do is to try and get the best out of this abyss of life. We learn from the mistakes made yesterday as we prepare for a brighter to tomorrow. The leaves sprout with greenery and in their season, and they turn gray and eventually fall. Everyone keeps a record of opening and conclusion of the seasons.
The storm clears before the rainfall. In life, we take chances and make bold steps with expectations that tomorrow will bring us happiness. When the reward for today does not come, we present several reasons for trying again and again because we vowed not to give up. We endure hardships and promise to fight and continue the journey despite the injuries we suffer on the way. It will not be easy to forget the occasions that bring us happiness, including birthdays, Valentine and college and school graduations. The hearts are prepared to love, and relationships are nurtured as the big day waits to witness the biggest life union.
Work Cited
Thoreau, Henry D. The Best of Thoreau’s Journals, Ed. Odell Shepard.New York: Courier Dover Publications, 2013. Print.