Life's Helper

Nothing comes from nothing. This is a motto that I live or at least try to live by. It pushes me to work hard in everything I do or else nothing good will result. Of course, this motto is one of the many mottoes that I try to integrate into my daily life. Mottoes are inspiring and melt beautiful concepts into a simple, concise phrase. Thus, I think that more people need to set up a motto for themselves. Just as setting goals helps a person get closer to achieving them, establishing a set of mottoes to abide by can determine the kind of attitude that a person has towards life.
A motto can embody a huge idea into something much smaller. This is evident in an important motto to me: "Start now, worry later." When I was in elementary school, I was very shy and afraid to do anything out of the ordinary. I simply tried to do what "cool kids" were expected to do. I was too worried about what others would think of me if I started to be myself. However, in middle school, I reached a turning point. I had been constantly bullied by my best friend to the point that I would come home in tears until I had a eureka moment at the 7th grade dance. I just decided not to care about her antics anymore. That was it. All I had to do was not give a crap. The uneasiness and worry that was cooped up inside me were demolished. This single moment opened up a part of me that has made me into who I am right now. If I hadn't started to have this new perspective on life, I would be miserable. So for anyone who is afraid to take a leap into something new, just remember, to start now and worry later. You might end up doing yourself a great favor.

The Declaration of Independence*

*applies to wealthy white males only



George Washington owned slaves. You heard it right ladies and gentlemen! The father of our country, the patriot of all patriots, the leader of freedom owned people. While the Declaration of Independence serves as a symbol of the natural rights of man, it was not written for all people. If that were true, then black slaves would have been free from their iron chains and the women's rights movement would not have been a thing. I don't think that the Declaration of Independence has really lived up to its name. Over the years, even with the fast-paced progress of technology and information, the progress of civil rights has yet to catch up with the rest of the world. Take women's rights for example: women still earn less than men even though they have the same capabilities. It took hundreds of years until women could earn rights equivalent to men, yet, they still can't provide for their families in the way men do. Are we really equal when men are worth more than women? The same thing goes for gay rights. In no way should a person be discriminated against because of who they choose love. Gay people are people just like you and me. They should not be treated like second-class citizens just like how women were treated for hundreds of years. It's okay if people don't necessarily approve of who they are. However, trying to restrict and hurt them is foolish beyond compare. The golden rule is not something that only applies to a certain group of people. Treat people like you want to be treated. And people means everyone.

Watch Out for the Crazy Ones

I have come to the conclusion that some girls can be absolutely crazy. Just take a look at Abigail Williams in the play The Crucible! Her main goal in life becomes sabotaging John Proctor's life after they shared an intimate moment just once! John Proctor never should have done such a thing with Abby; it is what ultimately brings an end to his life.
The obsession that floods a young girl's brain when she is blinded by infatuation is very dangerous. What is worse is that Abigail completely convinces herself that John Proctor is in love with her although he pushes her away many times. Even in the 17th century, teenage girls with raging hormones were just about the scariest things to ever exist. If you thought that Justin Bieber's fans were utterly delusional, then you haven't witnessed the horrors of a girl who tries to get your wife killed by accusing her of witchcraft. Clearly, Abigail Williams takes "love" to a whole new level. Her kind of "love" is the kind that starts out small and then transforms into an unforgiving monster. What Abigail has is a stone-cold desire for revenge. Abigail has the semblance of an innocent young girl. Therefore, it is not surprising that people still believe her senseless bickering. This is a warning to the unknowing gentlemen out there: beware of beautiful but crazy young girls who always want to get their way.

Simon Says...

In a state of mass hysteria, the majority opinion of the public and biases of the media can blind bystanders into thinking the same, despite the lack of evidence or the defendant's side of the story. People who are running high on emotions tend to muddle their sense of rationalism and justice. In the George Zimmerman vs. Trayvon Martin trial, George Zimmerman was deemed to be not guilty. As a result, the public was absolutely infuriated, sending out death threats and violently protesting in the streets in the name of Trayvon Martin. Despite his dark history, Trayvon Martin was seen as a saintly young man, further destroying George Zimmerman's already-soiled reputation in the case. What really happened remains unknown. However, George Zimmerman was already labeled as a criminal in the eyes of many Americans.
It is evident that logic in the law of justice can be compromised in times of hysteria in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Left and right, women are accused of being followers of the Devil; many are hanged without a fair trial. As fear ensues in the town, the peoples' sanity is obscured and the nooses are readied. Like sheep that flock towards the same direction as a herding dog approaches, people develop a mob mentality when they are moved by fear.