The Chosen Essay -- English Literature Essays

The Chosen Inflective and Forward Personalities In Chaim Potok’s The Chosen, two contrasting characters are introduced—Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders. They are opposites. While Reuven is forward—speaking his mind, Danny Saunders shows a stark contrast—an inflective soul, listening to silence, and growing from it. These characters set the stage for a lasting relationship to form, to be strengthened, and to be stressed. Danny’s father’s name is Reb Saunders. The tzaddik of a small community within close proximity of Reuven’s home, he was born in Russia and later brought his congregation to America. When Danny is speaking to Reuven, he tells him the story of this occurrence. â€Å"They bribed their way though Russia, Austria, France, Belgium, and England. Five months later, they arrived in New York City.† This was the original catalyst for the relationship between Reuven and Danny. If Reb hadn’t brought his congregation to America, ever, Danny and Reuven would not have met in anything close to the same circumstances. When introducing the reader to the novel, Reuven explains why the inter-parish softball leagues were formed by the Jewish parochial schools after World War II. â€Å"†¦America’s entry into the Second World War and the desire this bred on the part of some English teachers in the Jewish parochial schools to show the gentile world that yeshiva students were as physically fit, despite there long hours of study, as any other American student. They went about probing this by organizing the Jewish parochial schools in and around our area into competitive leagues, and once every two weeks the schools would compete against one another in a variety of sports.† This was the second factor in the friendship. It would be unlikely for the matter of a soft-ball league to be considered on the part of Reb Saunders if he had not seen any particular reason. On Danny’s second visit to the hospital, Danny and Reuven talk about matters of common interest. While on the topic of the baseball game, Reuven asks how he learned to hit a ball. â€Å"‘I practiced,’ he said. ‘You don’t know how many hours I spent learning how to field and hit a baseball.’† After this statement is avowed, Danny makes the comment to Reuven that he could have ducked the ball. Reuven responds with: â€Å"I remembered the fraction of a second when I had brought my glove up in front of my... ...arefully of what you will say. Think what your father’s questions will be. Think what he will be most concerned about†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢Ã¢â‚¬  When David persistently asks Danny questions as Danny half-answers, anxiety is created as the significance of the questions is revealed. All of these factors put stress on the relationship, initially, and in the end strengthened it. The first mentioned, was the difference between Danny and Reuven’s religions. Although they were both Jewish, the novel shows that there were perceptible differences. The next mentioned was Reuven’s inability to understand â€Å"listening to silence†. Although Reuven may not have seen significance, Danny found silence to be very important, even related to wisdom. The final stressor mentioned was David’s methodological questioning of Danny at the end of the novel. It created tension in an already stressful situation, although helpful. Danny and Reuven’s friendship built throughout The Chosen had the roots to last a lifetime. It was apparent that Danny originally needed a friend and Reuven turned out to be the right one. Also, their fathers recognized this lasting friendship. So, each would most likely encourage it in the future.

Case Study: Clams about Gay Marriage Essay

This case study focuses on the gay marriages in different states. In Massachusetts the State Supreme court had a ruling that the state constitution did not agree with same-sex marriages. The only way they could grant licenses was if the legislative acted to give same-sex marriages. After this ruling in Massachusetts; in San Francisco, California the mayor ruled that they could not deny same-sex marriages. Many same-sex couples began to apply for marriage licenses and got the marriage license. The gay marriages started to attract the media and many television cameras. Soon after the California State Supreme Court said that the San Francisco mayor had exceeded his power and they told the city to stop issuing these state marriage licenses to gay couples. Courts in other states followed the Massachusetts ruling not allowing same-sex marriages. It then began to report that other foreign countries were allowing same-sex marriages to become legal. This started controversy in the United States because people in America think of marriage in a very sensitive way and that commitment it between two people who love each other. Advocates of gay marriage wanted to know why when two people are in love that they couldn’t be married. This began to raise issues for gay marriage not being legalized. Advocates were speaking out that it not only is about the commitment between the two people but also about the legal rights that the couples would obtain. The gay couples wanted the rights that a couple of a married man and women would get. They wanted to be able to get the medical rights and property rights of other normal married couples. Advocates also argued that they have their freedom also and they have the right to be in love with whomever they choose to be in love with. They just wanted the same equality as everyone else. In others terms they stated that same-sex marriage was wrong and it shouldn’t be allowed in the state. The argument then began again about marriage should be between one man and one woman. They also began to state that children that come from a household of a man and woman being married benefited them. They believed that if same-sex marriage became legal there would become a downfall in society. It wasn’t about the rights and freedom of same-sex couples but the image that America was to hold and how society is taught that one man and one woman should be married. In elections later in 2004 and 2006 conservative politicians wanted to have a same-sex marriage amendment to forbid it. The arguments for and against gay marriage became more and more heated as the years went on. As votes were shown most people wanted civil union laws. When the vote for same-sex marriage came about only a minority was for it. Gay and lesbian couples began to arrange ceremonies that were not legal unless legally allowed in the state. To this day debates, arguments, and court cases still go on about the fight for gay marriage. Questions 1. What grounds, warrants, and conclusions do advocates for gay marriage and their opponents use? The advocates say that besides two people being in love and making a commitment but that same-sex couples should have the freedom to love whomever they choose have the rights as any other one man and one woman married couple were to have. The opponents believe that for reasons for society and to keep the image and to not cause a downfall in America that only a man and woman should be legally married. 2. How did claims favor of gay marriage evolve from those of the earliest advocates to the more recent campaigns after the ruling by the Massachusetts state supreme court? I believe that the Massachusetts ruling was part of the start that caused the claims to start and from all of this evolved the more recent campaigns and the issues coming from gay marriage. 3. How did opponents to gay marriage change their counterclaims to respond to new arguments by advocates of gay rights? The opponents changed their counterclaims because they had to be able to have an argument back to the new responses of the gay rights advocates.

Hate Graduate School Avoid These 8 Mistakes!

Do you often find yourself saying I hate grad school or simply frustrated with the increased workload that comes with it? Given the competitive nature of graduate school admissions, grad students tend to be excellent students, but hours of study over complex subject matter and good grades dont guarantee success in graduate school. In order to fully value and understand the education, youre receiving you need to avoid these eight common pitfalls of graduate students that wind up making them hate the program. Thinking Like an Undergraduate Undergraduates take classes while graduate students immerse themselves in a discipline. Undergrads work ends when class ends, they turn in papers and leave campus. A graduate students work, on the other hand, is never completed. After class they do research, meet with faculty, in a lab, and interact with other students and faculty. Successful graduate students understand the difference between college and graduate school and treat their education like a job. It would be easy to get bogged down in the ho-hum of yet another four years of studying if you forget this little detail: you are in graduate medical school because you love medicine and want to pursue a career in it. Treat graduate school, instead of another 1,000 hours of studying, as your first days of being in your chosen profession. Hopefully, that will bring the joy and passion back to your work and studies. Focusing on Grades Undergraduates worry about grades and as a result, often approach their professors to ask for a higher grade through either extra work or a redo on previous assignments. In grad school grades are not that important. Funding is usually linked with grades but poor grades are very uncommon. Cs generally are uncommon. In graduate school, the emphasis is not on the grade but on the learning. This frees up students to actually be able to delve into their chosen fields of medicine instead of focusing on instant recall of data or studying for tests. As a doctor, a graduate of medical school will need to have long-term retention of the information garnered during the program. By focusing on the application of information and repeatedly doing so, students in grad school truly learn their craft and instead of getting bogged down on whether or not theyre passing, begin to enjoy the concept of working professionally. Failing to Plan Ahead Effective graduate students are detail oriented and juggle many tasks. They must prepare for multiple classes, write papers, take exams, conduct research and perhaps even teach classes. Its no surprise that good graduate students are good at identifying what needs to be done and prioritizing. However, the best graduate students keep an eye on the future. Focusing on the here and now is important but good students think ahead, beyond the semester and even year. Failing to plan ahead can make your graduate school experience much harder and worse yet could even adversely affect your career. As a graduate student, you should begin thinking about comprehensive exams  well before its time to study and tossing around dissertation ideas early in graduate school so you can seek feedback and develop your thesis well in advance. Considering career alternatives and determining what experiences you need to get the jobs you desire is imperative to your success as a doctor. For example, those who want jobs as professors will need to obtain research experience, learn how to write grants  and publish their research in the best journals that they can. Graduate students who think only about the present may miss out on the experiences that they need and may be ill-prepared for the future they envisioned. Dont wind up hating graduate school because you didnt prepare ahead of time. Being Unaware of Department Politics Undergraduate students are often shielded from academic politics and are unaware of the power dynamics within a department or university. Success in graduate school requires that students become aware of departmental politics, especially because professors and students alike oftentimes continue to work together professionally after graduation. In every university department, there are some faculty members with more power than others. Power can take many forms: grant money, coveted classes, administrative positions and more. Moreover, interpersonal dynamics influence departmental decisions and students lives. Faculty who dislike each other, for example, may refuse to sit on the same committee. Even worse, they may refuse to agree on suggestions for revising a students dissertation. Successful graduate students are aware that part of their success relies on navigating nonacademic interpersonal issues. Not Fostering Relationships With Faculty Many graduate students mistakenly think that graduate school is only about classes, research, and academic experiences. Unfortunately, this is incorrect as it is also about relationships. The connections students make with faculty and other students form the base for a lifetime of professional relationships. Most students recognize the importance of professors in shaping their careers. Graduate students will look to professors for recommendation letters, advice and job leads throughout their careers. Every job that a graduate degree holder might seek requires several letters of recommendation and/or references. In order to have a better graduate school experience and in turn a more rewarding professional career, it is imperative that graduate students seek the advice and camaraderie of their professors. After all, these same professors are soon to be their contemporaries in the field.   Ignoring Peers Its not just faculty who matter. Successful graduate students also foster relationships with other students. Students help each other by providing advice, tips and acting as a sounding board for one anothers dissertation ideas. Graduate student friends, of course, are also sources of support and camaraderie. After graduation, student friends become sources of job leads and other valuable resources. The more time that passes after graduation the more valuable those friendships become.   Not only that but making friends in school is one of the biggest benefits of joining a program. This is especially true of medical school where, at the very least, you all share one common interest: a love of medicine. Its easy to hate school when you have no friends to commiserate with over the trials and tribulations of becoming a doctor. Making friends will help ease the stress during your schooling and go on to be greatly beneficial when you start your residency program afterward. Not Putting in Face Time Completing class work and research is a big contributor to success in graduate school, but the intangible elements of your education also matter. Successful graduate students put in face time. They are around and visible in their department. The dont leave when classes and other obligations are over. They spend time in the department. They are seen. This is imperative to garnering those all-important letters of recommendation as well as receiving notoriety by not only your professors but your peers. Oftentimes graduates who do not spend enough time making these appearances find themselves lacking in the feeling of accomplishments those who do spend enough time within the department do. This is because those students dont receive as much recognition for their work and dedication. If youre having a bad time at graduate school and dont feel that your professors are respecting your effort, perhaps making more face time with your peers will remedy this common problem. Forgetting to Have Fun Graduate school is a lengthy endeavor, filled with stress and countless hours spent studying, researching and cultivating professional skills. Although as a student you will have a great many responsibilities it is important to take the time to have fun. You dont want to graduate and later realized that you have missed out on some of the coolest opportunities to enjoy yourself. The most successful graduate students are healthy and well-rounded because they make time for and cultivate a life. If you find yourself midway through graduate school and hating every minute of it, maybe the perfect solution is to step away from it all for an evening (or a weekend) and remind yourself of your youth and excitement by going out with your colleagues, exploring some of the schools organized activities or simply taking in the city where youre studying. A few hours or days away from work could be just the refresher you need to remind yourself why you chose the medical field in the first place. That way, you can get back to learning and enjoying your field of study.

Beyond Cultural Identity Reflections on Multiculturalism - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1173 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2019/04/10 Category Culture Essay Level High school Tags: Cultural Identity Essay Did you like this example? In order to understand what this paper is all about, it is very important to know what Multicultural conceptualization is about. Therefore, according to Constantine Ladany (2000), describes multicultural conceptualization as the extent to which therapists/ psychologist identifies and integrate cultural factors into conceptualizations of the etiology and treatment of a clients presenting concerns. Thus, the film I choose for this paper is Jodhaa Akbar. The reason I choose to write my final paper on this film is because its a cultural identity am unfamiliar with and would like to explore. Furthermore, Jodhaa Akbar is a sixteenth century marriage of alliance that gave birth to true love between the greatest Muslim Mughal Emperor that ruled Hindustan, Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar and the young Hindu Rajput princess Jodhaa. As a matter of fact, this marriage alliance had to take place because the Mughal empire plans to attack Amer. Hence, King Bharmal (father of the princess) resentfully makes a peace offering and a proposal to strengthen relations by his daughters marriage to the emperor himself to avoid war. Akbar agrees to the marriage as it will be a strong alliance and long-lasting peace between the empire and Rajputs. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Beyond Cultural Identity: Reflections on Multiculturalism" essay for you Create order On the other hand, Jodhaa the daughter of King Bharmal of Amer, was already betrothed to another Rajput king and her dowry was her fathers crown, which will be passed to that Rajput king, after his death. However, Jodhaa completely resented all she wants is to marry the Rajput king, she was betrothed to previously. Correspondingly, the character of interest in this film is Jodhaa. She is a warrior princess, brave, bold, courageous, loyal to her community, and intelligent. Although this may be true, about Jodhaa nevertheless, the context of her life is as follows: she is a young Hindu lady experiencing fear, anxiety, misery, angry, depressed, shame, resentment, and moodiness. However, there are three concepts I will be discussing as a result of this context and the concepts are; Ethnocentrism, Islamophobia, and Racism. Islamophobia Islamophobia is a religion-based prejudice that appears to represent a linear development. It can also be seen as an individuals fear related attitudes towards Muslims and the religion of Islam. Furthermore, Islamophobia is the rejection of and discrimination against Muslims. Nevertheless, being racist does not necessarily mean being Islamophobic; just as being Islamophobic does not necessarily imply being racist (Fernando 2009). Equally important, the fear of Islam is based on the negative emotion of fear. For instance; Jodhaa was so afraid of this new culture shes about to embark on because the beliefs, practices, norms, lifestyle of the Muslims are so different from that of the Hindus. Thus, she writes a letter to Sujamal, her cousin, pleading for him to come and rescue her from the marriage. Lee et al., (2009) states that Islamophobia is the fear of Muslims and the Islamic faith. In addition, the journal article titled Fear of Muslims, it shows us that there are two factors that correspond to the component of the fear system and these are cognitive Islamophobia which represents the cognitive appraisal domain of the fear system. Under this factor, Muslims and Islam are evaluated as threats to ones safety and well-being. For example, in the film Jodhaa Akbar, the Muslim Mughal empire was constantly going into battle with other surrounding cities because they want to be in power and take control of the nation. Also, in the film, it is seen that any city that wont surrender to the Muslim Mughal empire will be attacked, but the only people they dont attack were the cities who surrender under their leadership example: the Amer kingdom. Despite, the submission under the Muslim Mughal leadership they never treated the Hindus community well, they increased taxes on the food items and charge tax pilgrimage on them. In like manner, the other factor affective-behavioral Islamophobia represents the response domain of the fear system that is associated with the avoidance of potential dangers. Hence, its emotional discomfort and avoidance-oriented behaviors lead to withdrawal-oriented activity. For instance, in the film Jodhaa Akbar, Jodhaa fears and lack of trust made her not to accept Akbar wholeheartedly. She was so resentful of him, she would not let him touch her, have any intimacy, and no emotional affection towards him. Moreover, this concept of Islamophobia impacted the character Jodhaa negatively. It affected every area of her life socially she was not able to mingle around freely except with her maids and only those assigned to her, emotionally she felt withdrawn and reserved, psychologically she was depressed and filled with misery that the mom had to give her a vial poison to take and kill herself instead of her to go through the pain. However, as a clinician the way I will be addressing this issue, especially, from a professional context is to first understand my clients worldview that will give me the clinician an idea of areas that needs exploring. Jun (2010) mentions that understanding the client from his worldview requires the practitioner to understand her own worldview, which is based on her ability to be aware of her own values, beliefs, biases, prejudices, racial identity development, thinking patterns, the impact of systematic privilege/ oppression, and internalized privilege/ oppression on her worldview. Afterwards, I will be incorporating scientific inquiry into clinical inquiry. Jun (2010) states that, one of the ways to become an effective practitioner is to acquire the ability to apply psychological research methodology critique skills to the therapeutic setting. Therefore, as a clinician, I will be using the CBT technique to help address Jodhaa issues such as fear, anxiety, and depression. CBT is a psychotherapeutic approach that integrates behavioral and cognitive principles, and research with behavioral therapy. Additionally, the main focus of CBT is to replace negative and unproductive thought patterns with more realistic and useful one. Moreover, my client Jodhaa has a strong religious background so the specific therapy I will use is the RCBT and the method will be the ABCDE steps of Albert Ellis (1962). A is activating; understanding what situation occurred around the time of the negative emotions. B is beliefs; understanding the thoughts that went through the clients mind. C is consequences; understanding the clients emotional and behavioral attitudes. D is disputing; identifying and challenging those unhelpful thinking styles involved in their thought process. E is executing; here the need to use clients religious beliefs and practices as a resource to help confront and change dysfunctional beliefs such as making Jodhaa see that Islam is there to protect and care for their women as jewel and there is nothing to be afraid of. Ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism is such that develops racial and religious differences where individuals believe that they are better than other individuals for reasons based on their heritage. Thus, hierarchical and dichotomous thinking are the basis for ethnocentrism and ethnocentric biases (Jun 2010). In addition, according to the Very well mind article titled Looking at how cultural differences influence human behavior, Kendra Cherry defined Ethnocentrism as a tendency to use your own culture as the standard by which to judge and evaluate other cultures.

Essay on Globalisation †a Moral Outcry - 2306 Words

Globalisation – A Moral Outcry? Chris Smith There have been many definitions and classifications of the term ‘Globalisation’ conceived and hypothesised, over the last half a decade in particular. Some of these classifications can be viewed as to being biased in favour of globalisation and vice versa. But one that can act as a concise, yet unbiased characterisation was conceived by Dibb et al. in 2006 which states that Globalisation is â€Å"The development of marketing strategies that treat the entire world, or its major regions, as a single entity.† (Dibb et al. 2006, p. 147) Globalisation revolves around creating marketing strategies while viewing the world’s consumers and business as one market that share needs, wants and buying†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"half of the global population – roughly 3 billion people live in abject poverty; nearly half of these – 1.2 billion in 2000 – live in utter destitution, on less than $1 a day, in danger of death by starvation or rel ated diseases.† (Lloyd, 2001) With globalisation affecting all corners of the world and not just the poorer areas, it is leading to more and more people struggling to get by, or ultimately even worse connotations. This moves on to the last major point that was discussed in Ukpere and Slabbert’s paper, which is poverty. Due to the previously discussed exportation of jobs and the proceeding lack of jobs in developed countries, poverty has risen in many areas all around the world, whether they be in developed or undeveloped nations. It is also affected by the uneven distribution of wealth around the world. â€Å"The incidence of poverty has increased in the past few years not because the world, as a whole, is getting poorer, but because the benefits of growth have been unevenly spread.† (UNRISD, 2000) These are just some of the more evident moral problems that globalisation is causing in the world. While ultimately agreeing with Bauman, Ukpere and Slabbert have expanded further on the specifics and particular areas that it isShow MoreRelatedThe Environment As A Single Entity1390 Words   |  6 Pagesabsolute terms - than in most of the world’s middle-income emerging market and low-income economies. 8 So what does this mean to our bookshop business? Simply this, the global financial crisis provided a dramatic illustration of the risks of globalisation. It provides a subtle shift to an increased role for the state in managing markets, with greater recourse to policies and mechanisms to minimise vulnerability and ensure robustness, even at the cost of maximum efficiency and flexibility’. ThisRead MoreGlobalization and its effect on the South African economy and the JSE securities exchange9415 Words   |  38 Pagesexchange can take to cement its place as efficient and reliable worldwide market. 2. 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Constantinople as the eastern capital of the empir Essay Example For Students

Constantinople as the eastern capital of the empir Essay eThis essay will attempt to analyse and explain all the causes and factors that lead to the choice of Constantinople as eastern capital of the empire. From the very outset the reasons for such a catalytic move, which provided the impetus for the creation of a new era, will be examined as lucidly as possible. To conclude, having appraised the above, much light will be thrown on the choice of Constantinople, amongst other locations, as the eastern capital of the empire in terms of geographical position, religious and economical factors. Numerous were the reasons that gradually led to the movement of the empire to the East. Initially, Rome was very far from the regions of the shores of the Bosphorus and the river Euphrates and thus unable to confront effectively the empires most significant enemies (the Goths and the Persians) that had made their appearance from the 3rd century. Additionally, Rome, a centre of paganism, with its memories of municipal traditions and republican sentiment, with its aristocratic, educated and fiercely traditionalist senators , had begun to annoy the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (337-362). He, himself, was a vigorous supporter of Christianity and especially after the prolonged period of his successful confrontation with Licinius (314-323), he was convinced that the future belonged to the Christians and for that reason, he decided to turn decisively towards the East, which was the main source and origin of the new religion. Furthermore, from the 3rd century onwards, most of the empe rors originated from provinces and did not share significant bonds with Rome. What Constantine visualised instead of sacrifices to pagan deities and four emperors with irregular courts and capitals, was an empire with one emperor and one established capital, along with a splendid innovative church devoted to the glory of the one true God . He therefore regarded the foundation of a new city as the most important symbol of his deeper aim, the renewal of the empire. In 324, the old Greek trading city of Byzantium (modern Istanbul) was chosen by Constantine the Great as the ultimate spot for the new city that would form the headquarters of the empire in the East and was renamed after his own name, Constantinople (Constantinou-polis). It is a fact that among the fundamental criteria for choosing this specific location were its strategic geographical position between Europe and Asia, its strategic value for the command of the seas and of the main routes over-land from East to West and from North to South, as well as the right connection between the centre and the periphery of the Empire. Constantinople with its pure and tender climate was situated exactly at the threshold of Asia in a surrounding region at the eastern end of the Thracian peninsula, between the shores of the Bosphorus, Propontis (the Sea of Marmora) and the Keratius gulf (the Golden Horn) and occupied the most eastern end of this wide triangular region . This site not only united Eu rope and Asia but also created a bridge of communications between the Black Sea and all Southern Russia with the greater part of Europe and Asia, and even with distant America. Constantinople was surrounded by water on all sides apart from the west, which would be protected by walls. More specifically, its southern coast was doused by Propontis, while its north-eastern side was blessed by nature with a wide, deep and navigable harbour of approximately 5 miles in length, which constituted a magnificent natural port and a practically impregnable rampart, known from the ancient years as the Golden Horn. Additionally, not only was Constantinople now closer to the Roman Empires enemies, but even an attack from the sea would be easier said than done as Propontis, was protected by two oblong straits (Bosphorus in the East and Ellispontos in the West) . Apart from its geographical location, Constantine the Great was intrigued by Constantinoples position from an economical aspect as well, si nce it was situated in the crossroad between trading routes of major significance at the time. These routes, subdivided into the maritime and the territorial route, served as a link between the Black Sea and the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas and

My Metal Insect free essay sample

I looked curiously at the small, insect-shaped toy in front of me. On its back protruded a metal facet that, when wound up and released, would turn gears and shake a counterweight that would cause the toy to vibrate and bounce about the floor. When first observing the toy in action, the dance it made on the floor seemed to be an unpredictable, random pattern of motion. However, upon reflection, I quickly concluded that the motion of the toy was not random. In fact, the motion of the toy was the complete oppositeit was already planned out before the toy was even set in motion. Given the precise initial conditions of the toy, and taking into account all factors of the environment, it seemed possible to calculate the exact path the toy would take. I then imagined the toy as myself. Am I just a wind-up piece of machinery that when released will act in a predictable, deterministic nature with the illusion of choice and randomness? Surely all of the electrochemical signals of my brain at any given moment could be compared to the tension stored in the spring of the toy. We will write a custom essay sample on My Metal Insect or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Given the initial conditions of my brain, and taking into account all factors in my environment, it seemed possible to predict with certainty all of the future decisions I would make. The future of my life seemed no more than a few calculations away. I felt like a clock ticking forward with time; as if I was governed by no more than a chain of causality over which I had no control. Following the logic that I am no more than the result of conditions, I came to another realization: that I will always exist; that I will never end; that I will continue in the universe until the end of time. For after my physical body dissolves, my actions, influences, and impact on the world will continue in that chain of causality that governs all other particles of matter and will forever affect the universe. I will become a wave of vibrations that will forever permeate outward through the whole fabric of space and time. Eventually, I will spread myself out so thin that I could only be detected by the ears of God poised at the edge of the universe. I then looked with fresh eyes at my metal insect, which, lying still upon the floor, had ceased its brief period of undulation. I shifted my concentration from the realm of abstract reasoning back to the present momentwhere my thoughts could be safe from the distorting influence of an over-active imagination. If ever there were a time when the meaning of life seemed simple, it would be the moment after I observed my metal insect. I acquired the wisdom that I really have only one true obligation in life: to experience my destiny.