TOW #24 - Hearts of Fire (Part Two)

     It has been two months since I last picked up this book, Hearts of Fire, but the stories are just as thought-provoking as ever. Like last time, I commend the book for an appropriate balance of detail and plot advancements; the stories were just long enough to be developed, and short enough to remain interesting and active. However, this time, I noticed one aspect of the storytelling that was almost distracting: the wholeheartedly, resolutely Christian viewpoint of the writers. This initially seemed like a rhetorical weakness, but after further reflection, I see how it supports the ultimate purpose of this book to not only tell stories, but to give encouragement and strength to those facing any sort of faith-related struggles.

     My day-to-day reading material is overwhelmingly "secular-based," or at least in no way so openly faith-centered (though articles may have religious themes or undertones, or a writer may even directly address religion, it is not in the same confidence that this book has). At the time I found it slightly distracting, but I believe now that it was actually a very effective aspect of the writing. Maybe the authors did not even consider it (their faith may simply be that resolute), but the chosen tone of voice reinforced the central message of holding onto one's faith in all circumstances. Clearly, if any of the women's faith had wavered, the epilogues of their stories could have been very different.

     This aspect of the writing initially made me draw back a little; it was so unfamiliar that it sounded almost "biased" (which could be considered a rhetorical weakness, but as the large majority of readers of this book are likely Christian, it would not be a major issue). Yet as the idea continued to circle around in my head, it began to present itself as a refreshing sort of challenge. The idea that I was unsettled by this resolutely Christian perspective was an effective motivating force to refocus myself in terms of my faith. Perhaps it was intentionally written in this way with the hope of directly encouraging readers like me to further contemplate that sort of completely unwavering faith.

TOW #23 - Moral Bucket List

About once a month I run across a person who radiates an inner light…

I’ve achieved a decent level of career success, but I have not achieved that. I have not achieved that generosity of spirit, or that depth of character…

I realized that I wanted to be a bit more like those people... I was going to have to work harder to save my own soul.

     This year-old New York Times article from David Brooks is about people who "radiate an inner light" (the people we wish we could always be around and wish we were). Brooks provides a "moral bucket list" of things to do in order to acquire that sort of character. The article likely has one of the following three effects on readers: 1) It's life-changing. 2) It's abstract and completely boring. 3) It's initially thought-provoking but ultimately fades into the background after a few days, if not a few minutes.

     The third one is likely the most common, because the ideas makes perfect sense, but to carry them out requires substantial dedication and effort. In a world where the norm is "a self-satisfied moral mediocrity… You figure as long as you are not obviously hurting anybody and people seem to like you, you must be O.K.," many people don't see the point of expending extra energy to love those who hate them. Yet that kind of selflessness and spirit to serve is exactly what is required to build a character that shines. Some people find it easier than others - to forgive, to sacrifice, to smile instead of scream. Even so, it is a lifelong process for anyone: as Brooks writes, "wonderful people are made, not born."

     Unfortunately, it is true that "our culture and our educational systems spend more time teaching the skills and strategies you need for career success than the qualities you need to radiate that sort of inner light. Many of us are clearer on how to build an external career than on how to build inner character." Though I certainly have some teachers who aim to teach more than just facts, school remains an institution where kids are prepared for the career- and material success-related aspects of their futures. Schools do not offer classes on the concepts of selflessness and humility. They do encourage independence and tell us to follow your dreams. These fundamentally are not negative ideas; however, they forward what Brooks calls "a vision of life that begins with self and ends with self." He suggests that instead of building our lives around our own goals and desires in life, we step back and consider, "what is life asking of me? How can I match my intrinsic talent with one of the world’s deep needs?"

     It's not the first time we've heard about the importance of morality and spirituality. But every other time, the recommended process is deep self-reflection and self-reconstruction and self-motivation and self-satisfaction. Since that doesn't seem to be working, maybe we can finally realize that we should just stop thinking so much about ourselves. Instead, we can focus our energy on others. Derive energy and motivation from loving others, serving others, making others happy. Yes, your own happiness is important. Yes, you should take some time to self-reflect. But if you cannot let go of your self, that inner light will never grow beyond a dim flicker. That inner light is not a bulb to be flicked on, in hopes that it will make us brighter or attract others to us; it is slowly and steadily fueled by exchanges of love and sacrifice, tears and laughter, conversations and experiences.

     Should schools teach these things? Maybe, though I don't see framing it into a curriculum as being most effective. Honestly, the simplest way is to teach by doing - specifically, by kids encouraging this attitude and these actions among themselves.

     This sort of mindset will not make all of the world's problems disappear. The changed attitude of one person will not butterfly into world peace overnight. But if you are someone who hopes to someday shine an inner light, you can start by thinking in terms of everyone around you, not thinking of the whole world in terms of your self.

TOW #22 - Remember It Forever (Argument)

"Learn It Young. Remember It Forever." - Scouts, South Africa

     When you watch this commercial for the first time, you might think it's a short film. Then "Scouts South Africa" pops up at the end and you realize it's an advertisement. But the story still resonates deeply because it is clear how much more heartbreaking it would be if the boy had not learned CPR from a young age (presumably by joining Scouts, where many other skills are learned too).

     Both Scouts and CPR are often dismissed as unnecessary because those survival skills are rarely needed in everyday life. Though it is true that this sort of emergency situation is rare, it still happens, and it would likely be a horrible regret if you were to be unprepared. Whether you're unsure of learning CPR because you think it's unlikely and useless or because you're terrified at the idea of holding someone else's life in your hands, the time and effort spent is a thousand times worth the possibility of saving someone's life.

     Another common reason people are hesitant of CPR is the fear and/or disgust associated with performing it on a stranger. However, that is most often not the case. As seen in the commercial, with both a little boy performing CPR on his sister and a father performing CPR on his daughter, it is very likely the person in need will be a friend or family member, not a stranger (unless you spend all of your time wandering alone surrounded by complete strangers, which most people do not do). That emotional connection is displayed beautifully in the video and should really be taken into account as a reason to learn CPR.

     It is true that joining Scouts may not perfectly fit into everyone's life, and neither that nor learning CPR is necessary to live a fulfilling life, However, it can be assured that emergencies do occur, and everyone should seriously consider taking the time to better equip themselves as citizens by simply learning CPR. If we can spend forty hours a week sitting at school or an office, apparently to make ourselves useful in society, I think we can spare a few hours to learn some simple but potentially life-saving skills.

TOW #21 - Who Lost Her Mind (Argument)

"I had always done my work with great passion, but I don’t think I really understood what was at stake until my own brain stopped working… I understood for the first time what many of the patients I study go through — the fear and confusion of living in a world that doesn’t make sense."

     Mental health is a prominent conversation topic around the nation and around the world today, and deservedly so. In this article, Barbara Lipska writes of her struggle with a brain tumor. As a neuroscientist who had spent years investigating and dissecting other people's brains, it was terrifying and frustrating that suddenly her own brain was dysfunctional. Areas of vision went missing and memory floated out the window; yet her brain told her everything was perfectly fine. Even when she saw a brain scan that told her it was not all okay, the same kind of brain scan she had been studying for years, it didn't seem real or logical. She has now been through successful treatment and is sharing her story.

     It is a story in which the reader can feel her fear and frustration, a standout in a culture where people like to talk about problems but rarely stick around to make sure the message really gets through. Lipska, however, is able to provide an emotionally captivating glimpse into one instance of mental illness. Her whole story embodies the feeling that your knees suddenly give out but you don't even realize you're on the floor now, amplified a thousand-fold because it's your brain, the your central pillar of consciousness. She writes that though she is now healthy, she lives every day with the looming fear that her own brain may escape her again.

     When there are a million problems and a billion conversations about each, all of it starts sounding like babble, easy and best to ignore. The idea of mental illness does not escape this unfortunate phenomenon - and it is even worse off due to its tendency to seem abstract or difficult to understand. But as this article arrives contemporaneously with rising worries of insufficient treatment for mental health, of the coinciding of homelessness and mental illness troubles, we should be realizing just how much things need to change. We need more people who understand how to make others truly begin to understand. Lipska devoted her career to studying the complexities of the brain, but found she never truly understood mental illness until she experienced it herself. Hopefully, we can all start on a journey of understanding without needing to go through those experiences first.

TOW #20 - I'm An Introvert

     The labels "introvert" and "extravert" are tossed around so easily today - and in just that way, as labels, not as the two ends of a continuum as they would be better known. Recently society has come under critcism for being too extravert-oriented. While conversation - exchanging and exploring new ideas and perspectives - is a good thing, it is never a simple thing to 'categorize' people. In this article, the author achieves her purpose of encouraging introverts to develop their strengths (as opposed to focusing too strongly on weaknesses, as society tends to do), but at a cost of semi-untactfulness. It is cringe-worthy at moments when she seems to imply that extraverts are not good at listening or observing. Despite these occasional slips, I do believe in her main ideas and the concept of the "Quiet Revolution."

     Retter presents her main argument through the idea that she is a good journalist not in spite of her introversion, but as a result of it. Traits such as being observant, a good listener, and empathetic would look good on anyone. Retter writes, "Introverts are listeners… I pay attention. I read people well. That’s how I find stories." This is something that I connect very strongly with. I remember reading a book when I was younger in which the main character was very quiet but an amazing listener - that immediately became my goal. I was undeniably shy as a child and dreaded interacting with people beyond my family and best friends, and this identity as a "listener" was the perfect excuse. Now I still identify as much of an introvert, but I believe it has benefitted me to grow up in a culture where extraversion is prized because it has forced me to be more confident in my thoughts and words (in other words, it has helped me to shed that sometimes-impeding shyness while still allowing me to build on my strengths as an introvert).

     Another idea in the article is that "my introversion helps me read beneath the surface and tailor my approach." My personality as an introvert inspires me to actively find the things left unsaid by others. Adding to this idea of being actively observant is the original blog's main concept: "Ninja journalism... powers include stealth (knowing when to shut your mouth)... invisibility (staying the heck out of the way), super vision (looking past the obvious to see the real story/picture)…" Compared to some others, I would like think I have a decent handle on when not to talk or intrude. It's amazing how much simply listening and observing can impact one's perception of society.

     "No matter what any professor, friend, boss, or colleague tells you about the pitfalls of introverts in public image careers, know that introverts carry their own set of worthy skills that can add to any field. I’ve found that my unique skill set—my listening, my flexibility, and my empathy—has made my reporting process special in its own way and has led me to stories I never would have found if I’d had a more gregarious personality type."

     At first I was a bit put off by the implication that those with "more gregarious personality [types]" would not be able to be good listeners, flexible, or empathetic. (Consider these quotes: "An extrovert’s charm is no match for a tragedy, a death, or anything that involves talking to someone upset... Introverts are listeners. When I’m in a conversation, I’m not caught up in trying to get my point of view in or draw attention to myself." I am not sure how this can not offend extraverts.) But after further consideration, it's clear that Retter simply means to encourage introverts to discover and develop their own strengths, unique from the social comfortableness and charm of extraverts. She was not perfect in communicating this, but it is definitely an idea that applies to all people - if it seems society praises a 'type' of person that simply isn't you, realize it probably goes deeper than you think, and there are so many ways for you to find your role.

TOW #19 - Lucozade: "Find Your Flow"

     Last year energy-drink brand Lucozade released its "Find Your Flow" campaign, an effort to rebuild its image as a drink for everyday energy, not just illness recovery as it was before. They made a commercial glamourizing generally mundane moments such as washing windows, doing crossword puzzles, and grooming a dog to push forward this idea: "You can have good days when you feel on form, then you can have bad days when you don't, the difference is energy. And that's what 'Find Your Flow' is all about. It's about having the energy to get on with your everyday, to find your rhythm, to hit your stride" (from creative director Darren Wright). While I appreciate and even agree with the message of high-energy living, I have never been a big fan of energy drinks in general. Lucozade's ads are humorous and clever, but I simply do not see how "finding your flow" would best come from an energy drink.

     Throughout the one-minute video, a deep voiceover describes the effects of "finding your flow" with Lucozade: being unstoppable, always at your best, making the best of the unexpected, and simply finding a rhythm (as dramatic drumbeats echo in the background). I think it's really important to have the energy to always feel capable and ready, and I believe that any moment can be made great with the right mindset. However, I also believe that is a completely mental and psychological process that won't be helped by an energy drink. I understand the occasional physical energy boost (whether from expertly-mixed chemicals or just a sugar rush) may help, but that should continue to be part of illness-recovery, not a normal-day thing. People would probably be able to "find their flow" a lot more easily if they put in more effort towards things like a healthy diet, exercise, and the often-ignored concept of sufficient sleep.

     Lucozade's commercial and ads are entertaining. If I were in a store deciding between two energy-drink brands, I might remember that and choose Lucozade. But as someone who generally doesn't use energy drinks, the campaign doesn't make me any more convinced I need them.

(Partial argument)

TOW #18 - My Life Is A Joke

"His words no longer hurt me. They make me feel so proud.

Why did the chicken cross the road? That’s me. I am the chicken. And I got to the other side. He knew this would happen when he spoke those words. How beautiful to be seen."

     Sheila Heti is a very creative writer, with a style and voice that is perhaps best described as "alternative." So this article causes many readers to stumble back thinking, "Am I missing something?... Why is this hodgepodge essay in The New Yorker?" This is mostly caused by a lack of a proper introduction to the piece - it was actually written for a specific event in response to a specific prompt. Not having that background information causes some parts to be admittedly rather disconcerting. However, once that is cleared up, the piece truly contains some fascinating ideas and rhetoric.

     As described here, Heti prepared this piece for an event at a literary arts center. The theme "Laugh After Death" was meant to prompt the speakers to write about the concept of death in humorous way, as opposed to the usual "monotonous and morbid and drab" essay on death. The context clarifies the most seemingly out-of-place sections of the article, such as when the narrator discusses travelling a long way to speak at an event (the humor in which would have been much clearer in context). Perhaps The New Yorker and Heti would have done well to include a brief introduction - even if it subtracted from the drama of the beginning, it would have cleared up larger issues for many readers.

     The piece is narrated by a woman who has come back from the dead to brag that after a life lived and ended in loneliness, her death has allowed her to finally be "witnessed" by others. She has also apparently conquered an ex-boyfriend's criticism of her: "You are a joke, and your life is a joke." She presents herself as the chicken who crossed the road: she was a chicken who could not bear life any longer, and crossed to the other side in her suicide. Heti's character ascribes this victory - fulfilling the joke and therefore having a witness to her life (see the quote above) - to be the reason for coming to the event to speak.

     Beyond the morbidly fascinating metaphor of the chicken joke, the piece is intriguing because of the character Heti creates. The narrator speaks directly to the audience, her tone growing increasingly desperate and almost crazed. The piece is short but cleverly written, through a character that the reader cannot help but pity, wanting to scorn her and shake her into realization all at the same time.

     Heti responded to the prompt in an undeniably creative way. I would like to have watched her present this piece, to see if she made it dramatic or comedically dry. And there may be a greater message to this as well - the speaker is miserable her whole life because of others' words and criticisms against her, and ultimately "avenges" herself by fulfilling those ideas. I see the piece as revealing, through a sort of satire, the pitifulness of a life designed solely to please others.