Blinded by Shiny Objects
By Anonymous
Intro: Following the Guiding Light
As I compiled this collection, I thought about my own transformation over the past few months. What started as a required English course resulted in a deep analytical look into my goals and ambitions. My professor, Niall, wondered in his essay if this course had helped students see the monster. During the course of the past few months, we have seen the monster and will continue to search for ways to battle the beast and free ourselves from its chains. All we had to do to see the monster was to look around us at families in need of shelter and those who have been forced to work multiple jobs while still facing food insecurity. It is disheartening to learn that Americans waste 60 million tons of food every year and that “the production of wasted food in the United States is equivalent to greenhouse emissions of 37 million cars,” according to the World Wildlife Federation (“Food Waste in America”).
During the past few months, I took walks and listened to the voices of nature. I tried to quiet the noises that pointed to the path that I was “destined” to take. I sat and closed my eyes to avoid the flashing lights and the shiny objects that were blinding me. I observed others participating in the rat race and, in their shadows, I saw myself.
During a family reunion, my aunt asked a question that made a lasting impression on me. I was sitting with well-educated, sophisticated, and distinguished members of society. She asked, “what is the meaning of happiness?” The room went quiet; some looked down, some got up to get another drink, some pulled out their cell phones pretending to check an important email. With that question, she had stumped PhDs, doctors, surgeons, grandparents, vice presidents, those who were self-employed and unemployed, and – yes – millionaires. Later, she withdrew the question but a heavy and dark cloud had replaced the fragrant air in the room. I often wonder about the answer to that question. I think this course has put me on a quest to find that answer.
I talk about my grandpa, Baba, although I never met him. I was born two years after he left us. Why is it that I know so much about him? When we get together as a family, Baba’s name often comes up in conversations, and sometimes, I can even predict what Baba would have said in a particular situation. He had an amazing sense of humor and lived a simple life. He enjoyed writing about his experiences, was a great storyteller, and was writing his own version of “easy essays” without realizing it; my mom still has his handwritten thesis from college. His life revolved around his family when he worked and his entire life became his family when he retired. He did not have an impressive bank account, and love and adoration was all he had to share. He counted down the minutes until the next time he could visit his children and grandchildren. It is not surprising that he would not have had any problem with answering my aunt’s question about the true meaning of happiness.
As I come to the end of this course, I realize that the rat race will only intensify during my lifetime. I believe that I am equipped to recognize the dangers in my path and follow my heart. I am committed to my education to become a healthcare professional, but I intend to use my knowledge to serve others without being lost in the rat race. In this journey, I will rely on my intuition and those people like Baba and Niall who will carry the light for the rest of us and lead us to the future.