My Ideal Self

Everyone tends to make their ideal self as hard as possible to become. I feel that I have done that for myself. It is very hard to explain your ideal self to someone, because they will always say that you are being too hard on yourself; which is usually the case. With this I will try and explain what I see as being my ideal self.
Emerson states in his writing “Self Reliance”, “Trust Thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. Accept the place the divine province has found for you; the society of your contemporaries, the connexion of events” (HB 1747). I feel that this quote is one of the most interesting quotes that I have ever read. I feel that this is one of the most important parts of self reliance and truly knowing your ideal self. If you cannot trust yourself who can you trust?
Another part of what I feel constitutes the real you is motivation to better yourself. Motivation to better yourself is important because without it you will not truly care about yourself enough to keep it in shape and make yourself happy. Motivation to better yourself should not be just to work out and eat right, but also to have real relationships not only with other people but with yourself as well. You need to have motivation to do well with everything you attempt, such as school, career, and hobbies.
Believing in yourself is another part of the ideal you. I feel this is very much like trusting yourself, as if you cannot believe in yourself than you cannot believe in any other person that is a part of your life. You must believe in yourself to accomplish anything in your life such as getting a job, getting through school, and having meaningful relationships with people. If people see that you do not believe in yourself, then they will not believe in you.
I feel that it is important to be somewhat independent to be the ideal you. You should be able to be dependent on people for certain things but you should always be able to depend on yourself. It is good to not be completely independent with everything because you need to be able to depend on certain people to help you through tough decisions and tough situations.
Being confident in yourself is an important part to your ideal self. If you do not have confidence in yourself then no one will truly have confidence in you. You must be able to convey confidence in yourself for things such as work interviews, sports, meeting new people and so on.
Loving yourself is another part to your ideal self. If you do not love yourself then it will be hard to love other people. Loving yourself does not require you to be self involved, and not care about the feelings of others. Should people see that when they look at you then they will not want a relationship with you which is certainly not ideal.
Being a caring person along with taking pride in yourself is another part of your ideal self. I feel that the first part of being a caring person is to care about you. Taking care of yourself is not only for your own good, but also for the people who love you. By taking care of yourself you are also looking out for the important people in your life. Taking care of your appearance and your body with working out and eating correctly are good just a couple of examples of how to do accomplish this.
Being successful is another part to your ideal self. Everyone wants to be successful in what they do. I feel this is part of the American dream, as everyone strives to be the best they can be. If people are not are not successful, then they feel that they fall short of their dreams.
You must be surrounded only by good to be your ideal self. If you surround yourself with bad and evil you will not ever truly be happy. Emerson states “When good is near you, when you have life in yourself, it is not by any known or accustomed way; you shall not discern the foot-prints of any other; you shall not see the face of man; you shall not hear any name – the way, the thought, the good shall be wholly strange and new” (HB 1755). This quote I feel is a very important part of being your ideal self, as it is shown everyday that when people surround themselves with constructive activities and good natured people they accomplish what they set out to do. It is when people surround themselves with hatred, ignorance and malicious individuals they falter and come up short.
All in all I feel that it is important to believe in yourself and love yourself before you believe in others and love others. You need to be true to yourself, because until you find your true self you cannot allow others to see the true you.

Best blogs in the class

Picking five of the best blogs is a tough task, because you don’t want to hurt the feelings of others in the class. If I had to choose five of the best blogs though they would be Anna, Raleigh, Kelsey, Andrew, and Kim’s. Each blog looks the same so choosing these blogs were very difficult to me.
The one that stood out the most for being the best blog would be Anna’s. Her blog was very organized and easy to read. I like the way her fonts are different for the quotes used out of the readings.
The second blog that stood out to me was Raleigh’s. I thought her blog was also very organized. I enjoy reading her blogs because it gets me laughing and thinking about “real life” issues.
Kelsey’s blog is another blog that I think is one of the top ones in the class. Again, hers is well organized like the others. I like how Kelsey puts you into her life and how she truly feels. Her blog keeps me intrigued.
Andrew’s blog is another that I chose. I enjoy reading his blog because his stories can be funny but are also from the heart. His blog is as well very organized.
Another blog that I chose as one of the bests is Kim’s. Her blog is also one that is very organized. I enjoy reading her stories as well because they all come from the heart.
As I said picking the five best blogs in the class was a very difficult task, because everyone’s blogs are good, however, these blogs are the ones that stood out for me the most.

Comments for living life to the fullest

Nicki: I do agree with you that you wouldn't be where you are today with out your family, because I don't know where I would be either!

Alex: I completely agree with the fact that there is no one out there that doesn't have regrets. This is so true EVERYONE HAS REGRETS! Great writing!

Rachel: Each point that you hit on was great! I too want to travel and see other places. I have yet to have my own kids but I can't wait to have those experiences you explained!

Almira: That was such a beautiful story. I'm so sorry you are not able to live in your country now. Hopefully one day you will get your dream to live in the mountains in your log cabin!

Kelsey: It sounds like you know what you need to do. I am very sorry about your break up I have been where you are and it took me a long time (much longer than you) to get over it. But I am now with someone that is so nice and loves me and does not take advantage of me. There is one out there for you!! :-)

Kim: First of all Congratulations! That is so exciting! Good luck with everything! Very nice writing! I understand your regrets with leaving a school, I did the same thing and am still in school!

Week Two Reflection

Last week I learned a lot more about Edgar Allen Poe. I have never taken the time to learn about him or read his stories and poems. I found it very odd that someone could be so dark, but soon realized that is the way certain people think. I am glad I was able to learn so much more about someone so important to American Literature and Virginia history.

Living Life to the Fullest

Everyone has their own way of explaining how to live life to the fullest, thus there is no one way of instructing on how to do so. To me, living like to the fullest is the experiences you create for yourself. The only way these experiences can happen is by opening yourself up completely to each and every thing, person or experience you come in contact with. This might mean getting hurt a time or two in the process but, you have had the experience and given it all you could.

I have had opportunities in my life, that could have quite possibly been once in a lifetime chances, which I have let pass me by. Unfortunately, this was because I did not make choices with myself in mind, as I was living for another person. This person took over my emotions and trapped me mentally. Luckily, I came to my senses, but only after I left college and stopped playing competitive softball.

There are only a few things that I want in order to live my life to the fullest. These things are not possessions, but only experiences and memories. If you think about it, do you really remember what your parents or grandparents give you for Christmas or do you remember the memories of that Christmas?

First off, a big part of what has contributed to helping my life be lived to the fullest is falling in love. I have truly found my best friend and better half. I cannot wait to marry him next May and start the amazing journey of our life together. He has shown me so many new things and has given me memories and experiences that I will never forget.

Another part that will contribute to my life being lived to the fullest is to have kids of my own. To see something that has been created by my best friend and I will be one of the most amazing things anyone can experience. The day that happens will truly change my life forever.

It has taken a few years, but I have finally decided what I want to be “when I am grown up”. I’m excited to get a job that I will love doing and not dread waking up everyday to go to a job that I hate. This, I feel, is another part of living your life to the fullest, loving what you do.

Additionally, I feel having a good relationship with my parents and in-laws is another part of living life to the fullest. I feel that my parents are two of the most important people in my life and I know I would not be here or where I am today if it was not for them. I would never trade the relationship that I have with my parents for any other. Having a good relationship with your in-laws will help with keeping stress off of your relationship and marriage as well as it will not be miserable when you have to attend family functions.

Another ingredient in the recipe for a full life is not taking the small things in life for granted. If you do you will have nothing to truly appreciate in life. A night to yourself so you can reflect, a night with just your significant other, a hug, a kiss, a look, a smile, these are all perfect examples of the small things to not take for granted.

I want to travel as much as possible. Part of my family is from Ireland and England, and I would love the chance to travel to these places to see what and where my family originated. I want to experience different cultures, because no culture is exactly the same and no part of the earth looks the same.

I want to live in another state, not on the same coast such as Seattle, Washington. It is an absolutely beautiful part of the country, as there is no place in the world like Seattle. All the sights and where it is located make this place like no other. I have lived in Richmond all my life, so to experience a place so different would be part of what helps me live my life to the fullest.

I love music, so seeing as many concerts as possible would contribute to me living my life to the fullest. One person that I would love to see in concert is Josh Groban. I have seen people such as Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Buffet, John Fogerty, and so on. To add to that would just make it only that much better.

As you can see, I have a lot of things that contribute to me living my life to the fullest. As experiences and opportunities present themselves I’m sure I will add to that list. For now, however, I am very content with where I am in my life, but I am glad I still have many of these experiences and memories to look forward to in the future.

comments for Sublime writing

Kelsey: That truly is an awesome experience! I am so happy that you were able to experience that. I do agree with how you feel about the Sublime it is something that you want to remember forever!

Rachel: I agree with you about writing is the best way to explain this feeling! Such a great experience for you to have! Great job!

Almira: You made me cry! What a beautiful memory to have for your sublime. I cannot wait to experience that feeling that you had when you saw your baby girl for the first time.

Alex: I am sorry your girlfriend had you go see that movie! My fiance doesn't go see some of the movies that I want to see so I applaud you for going with her! I love the way you explained your story I found myself laughing!

Kim: I agree that all men can be the same! I love Sex in the City also! It is true that everyone want to live the American Dream...I definitely do!

Nicki: I had a similar experience last August. I went to Seattle, WA for vacation and while there we went to see Mount Rainier(which is the volcano that has not erupted in over 100 years). I have never experienced something so beautiful. I was not able to go to the top because once you got half way (the top is 14,500 feet up) you had to go on foot, but it was absolutely beautiful! What a good experience!

Week one learning reflection

I feel in last weeks writing exercise I learned more about what it means to be an American. I feel I already knew plenty but added just added more. I took into account that people outside the United States may see us as people who are very selfish and conceded from reading Raleigh's blog. She really had good examples of television shows like Jersey Shore that really show how much we will belittle ourselves and how we portray our country. Honestly, I had never taken that point into account.

The “Sublime”

Sublime is explained as a greatness to which nothing can be compared to. For some people that could be winning a game that was very important to them, or going to an outstanding concert, while for others that could be something that scares them such as a horror movie. In some cases in can be experiencing something that they never dreamed they could see or do like skydiving or meeting a celebrity. It depends on the person as to what really excites them and puts them in complete shock.

My definition of a moment of sublime for me would be the day my fiancée, Chris, asked me to marry him. I was so shocked the day he asked me that the first words out of my mouth were “Are you serious?!” I was so flooded with emotion that I didn’t know what to say or how to act, so I just froze. After a minute of standing there in awe and listening to what Chris was saying, I finally said “Yes!” and started to cry.

I believe that people seek out these types of experiences because they can only be created once. Chris worked so hard to create the perfect moment and proposal so that it would be something that he and I both would never forget. He spent months planning this one moment out so that he would receive the reaction that I had. I feel that people also want and like these sublime experiences because some are taking a risk. Life would not be worth living if there were no risks involved.

These sublime moments work as if you are creating a world of supernatural experiences while still being plausible. Another way of explaining these moments is when boundaries of a person’s perceived reality are crossed or pushed. For example, the original plan that Chris had was that he was going to take me on a private sail boat ride where there was wine, strawberries and music. There also would have been a private photographer to capture the moment in action. Unfortunately the weather did not allow for his plan to take place, but what did occur completely surpassed what I could have ever imagined. I would not change the way it happened, because it was natural and perfect. My experience was so great, but it was not to the point where I thought it was too good to be true.

If I were a romantic artist and I had to create or re-create this moment I would do this through writing. When I read books that interest me I find myself to be lost and in another world in them. If one could figure out

the words to describe the moment I could definitely get lost in my imagination. Writing is a good way to explain moments in general because it portrays situations while still allowing each reader to interpret the tale in their own way. Writing leaves thing to the imagination, the reader can create what people and the settings look like in their head.

In conclusion, I feel that writing is the best way to convey a moment of sublime, however the only way you can really experience sublime is to actually live the experience.