Monday, February 21, 2011
Risk
There is something about living on edge that puts a hop in my feet, a spark in my soul. To escape barely avoiding the bullet every moment is the best feeling in the world. The whiz of trouble as it streaks by your head sends adrenaline pumping through your veins, fear racing to your heart. But you pull your hand out just before the piranha can chew it off. Just before you can experience pain. The rush of life-No, the rush of living never disappoints. It leaves you every time with your hair blowing and hands shaking. But within that panic is excitement. Each risk you take is a jump into danger, like a dropping roller coaster, that makes you feel as if you are actually taking a chance. No one wants to live life watching the waves, they want to be out there riding them. So, take my advice now and seize every opportunity for adventure. Live on a tightrope, and balance in the wind.
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Nothing against your writing or anything- I liked the metaphors and examples. They were good and inspired excitement in the reader- but I highly disagree with your point. I, for one, would rather watch the waves than ride them. Perhaps a friend might come up and ask if I'd like to surf with them and if I feel like trying something new, I'd let them convince me to go. But I'd rather like the sight of the rolling waves. What I'm saying is, I really don't think living life to the fullest-it-can-possible-be-and-taking-absolutely-every-opportunity-ever-whether-or-not-you-want-to is really the best way to live. When are we going to eat or sleep? When will we even breathe? And what are we doing in school and at work if we are supposed to be out trying to make every moment (even at night) electrified with adrenaline and giddy fear? Eventually, trying to reach the very fullest point is going to make the cup overflow. We would overload ourselves. A teacher of mine said something really wise. It wasn't Mr. Horvath, but its sound advice. He said, "Don't try to live life to the fullest; live life to the full. Even if that means taking a nap this afternoon." There's that point when the cup has just an inch of space left after the milk is poured into it. It's full, but its not on the brink of making a mess all over the table. I know I'm going on and on, but basically live in moderation. Life is about actually living it. Doing fun things and seeing beautiful sights. But we can't do that if we are off in India, skydiving across the mountains. Which I admit sounds pretty fun and dangerous, but.. Living life isn't really about trying our best to kill ourselves in the name of a rush.
ReplyDeleteLove the two ideas...a very measured outlook from Mariah (suprising). This is a constant in character writing, we have many examples of the "life life like there is no tomorrow" coming back to bite a character, but I also seem many times that there is a character who is afraid to step to close to the edge and so never comes within a mile of the coast...I would like to see this piece become a little more contemplative and thoughtful and not so demanding and pushy.
ReplyDeleteSURPRISING!? Can't I be mature sometimes??
ReplyDeleteAnd I also think if someone were to take both our ideas, combine 'em. They could make a good novel out of it.
I agree completely with what Maren said, the feeling of that quick second before you know the pain is coming, is the most confused yet best feeling. Maren put these difficult feelings into words. Great job!
ReplyDeleteHowever,i also agree with Miriah, i love to try new things, yet i would also rather watch the emotions of other people as well as feel them. Riding the waves and watching the waves are two very different things but yet they both trigger an emotion so strong.
I agree with your comment, Mariah. I even had to write an essay after my English class had read the play Our Town; it was about living life and appreciating what you get. I like taking time to just look at what life gave me, and be grateful for it. If there is a beautiful sight, I will stand and watch it while others pass me by without a glance. I did mention this topic of, "Live life to the fullest," in my essay, how its overrated and too demanding. If one were to travel the globe, visiting foreign countries but never took the small pleasure of being with family, or watching a sunset, that person from an outside view can appear to be taking life for granted and even foolish or obtuse. Life is so, so precious.
ReplyDeleteHere's a little spin-off of one of my FAVORITE quotes, but here it goes:
"We shouldn't be counting the breaths we take-spending them screaming while jumping from a plane or high-end risky activity- but count the moments that take our breath away."
I had to put this one...I love my quotes :)
"One day, your life will flash before you eyes; make sure it's worth watching."
Last one, I promise. :)
"The best things in life aren't things."
OKAY! I've made my point. :)
Some excellent outlooks...I think Mariah is right, someone could write a strong play/story/perspective with these two competing POV's and see which character wins out or changes etc!
ReplyDeleteI love your quotes Rachel, don't worry. And yea sammy, i agree with you. I suppose it up to the individual person which side they want to lean more towards, though.
ReplyDelete