Free Will

I believe in free will. It was just the way that I was raised. I have strong beliefs in the Catholic Church growing up that way. We are all given free will, free to make our own choices, and do whatever we like. God has given us free will because without free will we are not able to give unconditional love. I believe that if one cannot make the decision oneself, then they are not able to love someone.

I used to believe in destiny, but I just thought about it one day that I was bored, and realized that if we all have a destiny that we are going to live out then what is the point of living. I would have all the opportunities presented to me so the "thrill" that I would get out of life was to take the opportunity. I just didn't see the plausible explanation for a destiny.

As for the other idea, that we are shaped by our environment and our surroundings. I haven't thought about much, so I guess that could be possible seeing how when people grow-up in different parts of the world, they act different and have different "fates."

I fail to see how these three ideas could all exist in the same world. The idea of free will and destiny contradict each other, and the "surroundings" idea fits in between the two others.

Battle Royale

The boxing match is a symbol for the struggle in a black American's life because they seem to be fighting everyone. Sometimes he doesn't even know who he is fighting;"Blindfolded, I could no longer control my motions. I had no dignity. I stumbled about like a baby or a drunken man." "Then it seemed as though all nine of the boys had turned upon me at once," signifying that it seems as though everyone is out to get him, he has to fight to stay alive. He has to fight for his life, he takes shots and gives them, but still does not know who he is fighting. He just has to go off of the crowd screaming at him. The struggle in black america is fighting blindly into the darkness and having to fight for survival.

This I Believe

I believe in giving directions even if I don't know where the place is. It is an act of kindness. The lost person doesn't know where they are going; the least I can do is show that I do care by giving them directions.

What is the worst that could happen? If they get even more lost, they will pobably stumble upon someone who knows the right way. It shows that I care. I care enough about them that I want to help them. Out of thousands of people they asked me. It's my obligation to help them. So what if i don't know where the place is; I just answer with confidence and make sure that I don't lead them into deeper backroads.

The Atlanta rush hour traffic coming through Decatur comes to a halt. A lost family from California asks me how to get to Chamblee. I know what general area Chamblee is in. I have never been. I knew that it was off of Clairemont Road. They are really lost if they are on Memorial Drive and they want to get to Chamblee; but I didn't want to make them feel stupid. So I told them, in a clear voice and in a timely manner so they didn't hold up already backed up traffic; to turn left on Columbia and take it all the way down until it changed into Commerce. Then to take Commerce down to Clairemont and follow it until they find a familiar street. A joy came over me from helping someone in a small way. It gave me a satisfaction that I have never felt before. Helping people made me feel good. It was a forgien feeling but I couldn't help but feel good that I help someone.

Now lucky for them I knew the general area where Chamblee was. Not so for another lost couple.

Standing outside my house a couple pulls up and asks for directions to Virginia Avenue. Virginia Avenue is on the other side of another county. Southwest Atlanta. My face glazes over. It would just be easier to say,"I don't know." But they looked clueless, so I led them to I-85, and hope that they find it. Immediately after they turned around I looked it up on the map. I felt a relief when I saw that Virginia Avenue crossed right over I-85. Once again I felt that satisfaction that I helped someone. Even if it was a small thing as giving directions.

I am human; I get lost in life, and when I do, I need help. It is taken upon those people who don't want to see others fail, to help. It may be because I see myself in that same situation. I try to take it upon myself to be one of those people who helps others when they need help, no matter the problem.

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings

The very old man is an angel. I know because of the carnival freaks. The acrobat who had wings like a bat could resemble one of the fallen angels; and the angel could be another one. The point of the story is that instead of treating the angel like he was from God, the treat him like a side attraction. Their faith is not any better than it was before.

Cathedral Questions

Question #1.
The irony of the story is that when the narrator's wife told him that an old friend was coming to visit, and that the friend was a blind man; he was underwhelmed. The narrator is less than thrilled to host Robert. He feels uncomfortable when his wife leaves him alone with him. He can't get good small talk started with him. Meanwhile, his wife is nothing short of thrilled to have Robert. She talks to him about past times and never gives her husband a glance. The two of them are happy to be together, while the narrator could care less.
In the end the narrator connects with Robert, when they were both drawing the cathedral, they end up liking each other and he feels comfortable around Robert.

This I Believe

I believe in telling someone directions even if i don't know where the place is. It is an act of kindness. The lost person doesn't know where they are going. the least i can do is give them directions.
What is the worst that could happen? if they get even more lost, they will probably stumble upon someone who knows the right directions. I feel that it shows that I care. I care enough about them that I want to help them. The way they look, with the puppy dog eyes, and their urgency not to hold up traffic in this new jungle, just makes my heart sink. Out of thousands of people, they asked me. It's my obligation to help them. So what if i don't know the place where their going. I just answer with confidence and make sure I don't lead them into deeper back roads.
We are all human. We all need help sometimes. When we do, don't we want someone to be nice and want to help too. So we shouldn't leave our fellow man sweating nervously because they don't know where they're going. Speak with confidence and just make them feel comfortable in this new city, and your kindness will fill you with joy and good Karma.

Damien

"The snake, the rat, the cat, the dog, how you gonna see him when your living in the fog."

-DMX- "Damien/The Omen (Damien II)"