Name: Marley Mullen. Per: 6. The Good Life Argumentative

“The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it (James Bryce). If measured by the rule of the quote, The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow has tremendous worth. Randy Pausch, a professor dying from pancreatic cancer, gave his last lecture titled “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” at Carnegie Mellon in 2007. In the book, he reflects upon the lessons of his life experiences mentioned in the lecture. The lessons addressed ways to lead a fulfilled life. At first, his experiences seemed to be entertaining stories from his past, but as he progressed through each chapter, I began to realize the mentoring quality of the stories. From the lessons, I carried away invaluable advice. While it would be difficult to visit and elaborate upon every lesson, there were three that were most memorable to me: the importance of obstacles in our life, how honesty is a better character builder than false praise, and the uselessness of complaining.

Throughout my life, I never considered the possibility that everything may not revolve around me. We are so wired to the notion that we are the center of the universe and that our personal needs exceed the importance of others. Although today’s students may continue to believe in this idea of self-importance, David Foster Wallace argues that true value lies in our ability to sacrifice for others. In his 2005 commencement speech held at Kenyon College, Wallace strays away from the typical speech one may hear, about how you “made it” and how excited you should be to conquer the future. Instead, Wallace goes on to explain what is not talked about, such that the average American life sometimes involves “boredom, routine, and petty frustration.” Wallace’s speech discusses what it takes to overcome the annoyances in everyday life, but to also be conscious of our surroundings.

The Greek philosopher Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living” (Document 1). In this quote, Socrates is saying that people should get out of their comfort zone and live life to the fullest. This line, “Live life to the fullest”, has become popular especially in today’s culture. People today are now willing to do what seems to be uncomfortable to them and what does not seem normal so that they may life their life to the fullest potential. Another Greek philosopher, Aristotle, believed that human reason sets humans apart from other beings and that those who live with reason, are superior to those who do not (Document 2).

In David Foster Wallace’s Commencement Speech, he opens with a short parable about how a fish greets two other fishes and ask them how’s the water today, this parable introduces us to his message which is changing that default setting which is hard-wired into our brains to have a life worth living. I agree with his statement because this is’nt just the first time this formula has been brought to our attention. Many success people have said this statement in some form or fashion, we can even look at David Sedaris’s commencement speech.

How one should live his or her life is a concept that has been discussed for centuries. It is debated, written about, argued over, killed for, and envied. Advice is offered at every turn. Parents, family members, elders, friends, teachers, athletes, authors, politicians, all have their say. But only one’s self can decide how they want to live life. After a year of reading, discussing and arguing this point in English 9 Honors, it can be determined for person to live their best possible life then they should make the world around them a better place by treating others as they wish to be treated, doing everything to the best of their ability, and loving.

	Living is about making choices. The choices people make shape their lives for better or worse. Even the decision not to choose has its effects, often not wanted. But the individual who chooses to make positive choices and to act accordingly is more likely to see his or her life reflect his or her beliefs and desires. Usually the individual who chooses to take action is also willing to face the risks and obstacles that such choices involve.

As Christopher Johnson McCandless once said: “The core of mans’ spirit comes from new experiences” (Krakauer, 57). Society has given the majority of the human population a predetermined cookie-cutter lifestyle for which they must follow in order to be accepted. This includes which virtues to follow, how to interact with others, and what is and what is it not acceptable. For many people, fitting into this mold is the only way they know how to live, but for a select few, it is quite the opposite. This small group of individuals dedicates their lives to living outside of social norms and opposing others’ instructions of how to live their lives. They are known to many as

People face obstacles every day: the unbearable coworker, federal income taxes, and tupperware with no matching lids. Pressing issues such as these already contribute enough stress to life as it is, but for some, the obstacle is themselves. Whether this be because of guilt, poor self esteem, or mental illness, it is important to realize the toxicity of this dynamic and prevent it, as it can lead to serious consequences even more daunting than those of plastic wares. Ralph Marston, the writer of The Daily Motivator, states that because of the pressures that many people face each day, it’s important to avoid this type of relationship with oneself. Despite how difficult it can be for some to do so and the failure some meet, Marston’s point holds extreme validity and could prove to be beneficial when implemented in one’s lifestyle.

In chapter two of the book, The Achievement Habit, author Bernard Roth discusses the idea that reasons are hogwash. Roth feels that reasons are unnecessary and can be considered poisonous to people that use them. The second chapter describes how Roth developed this idea through his own experiences and those of others. A biography of Roth is claims that his main goal as a professor and author is to assist people to have a more successful lifestyle (“Bernard Roth”). Roth reveals stories to guide the audience in turning around their own lives. Roth’s development of ethos, pathos and logos is utilized to support his argument that reasons are bull.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style” (Maya Angelou)

In a Douglass College commencement speech titled “Claiming an Education” Adrienne Rich proclaimed, “The difference between a life lived actively, and a life of passive drifting and dispersal of energies, is an immense difference. Once we begin to feel committed to our lives, responsible to ourselves, we can never again be satisfied with the old, passive way” (4).

I feel as if the advice collected from Nick Sousanis is least useful, as it has limited application to one’s day-to-day life. The advice of Nick Sousanis is very similar to the advice collected from the Chinese fables; however, it is not useful in nature. The advice of the Chinese fables is more relatable to people in reference to living their daily lives, as it displays the comparison between changing your perspective and not, allowing it to be applied to daily living. Oftentimes, such comparisons have a greater impact upon people, and they permeate one’s life with greater ease. On the other hand, the advice of Nick Sousanis appears broad and overwhelming, as one is able to deduce the benefits of changing their perspective, but the advice

This paper will explore the power nine lessons, which are practices for health and longevity, and how I plan to use them in my life. I will use the vitality compass to examine which aspects of my life need the most work, and how I can further use my results as a way to guide my future habits.

Thinking of one’s own life as having no meaning is a difficult prospect for many, however; in his book The Achievement Habit, author Bernard Roth considers it to be paramount to success. Bernard Roth is a highly regarded and decorated professor at the prestigious, Ivy League Stanford University. This declaration goes against the common beliefs of what many like-minded self-help books instruct their readers to do. In the initial line of the beginning paragraph in the first chapter of his book, Roth states: “Your life has no meaning” (Roth 15). While this may seem to be a harsh and insensitive statement, Roth’s intentions in stating this are to the contrary. By utilizing the idea that Aristotle championed in Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle

Numerous books and articles are written daily to try to help the reader improve the quality of his or her life. Many are stuck in monotonous cycle: wake up, get dressed, go to work, come home, work some more, and go to bed. The cycle repeats and leaves people searching for ways to add variety and make tasks more streamline. Recommendations are usually along the lines of eating a good breakfast or finding something to be thankful for daily; however, rarely does an author try to show the reader how not to live his or her life. Authors try to encourage positive behaviors, but in the case of A River Sutra by Gita Mehta, the interactions between the narrator and other characters are used to show how living vicariously through others prevents personal growth.