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Reflection and Development Within My life...

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Reflection and Development Within My life...

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As I continue in my life I would like to reflect on how I can make a difference. I have decided that I want to work with foster children after I graduate. By teaching them and being a mentor I have the ability to impact lives of children who do not have as much as I do. I will work extremely hard in school to accomplish this goal. Not only will I be helping children who need be but I will also be following my passion. I am being mindful of what makes me happy. I will continue to reflect on the actions I take in my life and how they effect me. If I find myself unhappy I will look within myself to find what will make me happy. I will not rely on others for my happiness, because as "Living Buddha, Living Christ" shows happiness comes from mindfulness within.

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From the beginning of the semester until now I have become far more reflective. After reading three amazing books that show how every individual has the ability to do something great, I have started to look withing myself for what greatness I posses. After participating in CBL and reading in class books I now realize that I am blessed with a good life. I am more capable of reflecting on the goodness in my life versus dwelling on the negative. I have learned a lot about mindfulness as well. "Living Buddha, Living Christ" taught me that in order to be truly happy I must look within my self and not look onto others. Happiness is a quality that everyone possess If they take the time to reflect on life around them. I believe that living mindfully and reflectively means understanding how every encounter you have plays a role in your life. A tree may just look like a tree however without a tree there is no air. And without air there is no you. Occasionally getting caught up in the moment hinders me from focusing on reflectiveness and mindfulness. In the heat of the moment you don't always stop and think. However I am learning to help myself by taking time out of my day every day to be alone with myself.

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The book that had the greatest impact on me was "Tattoos on the Heart". Seeing how one person had the capability take numerous different lives and completely turn them around was absolutely inspiring. I made me want to make an impact on the world. Listening to all of the different background stories of both children and adults touched my heart deeply. I realized just how blessed I am. However, I have the ability to make an impact and because of Father Greg's lessons I have decided that I will. While teaching a course at Folsom Prison, Father Boyle asked the prisoners to explain what compassion meant. While most were left speechless, one prisoner responded, “That’s what Jesus did. I mean Compassion...IS...God” (62). Father Boyle is a figure that follows the word of Christ. His presence has taught those who never had faith to place themselves in the shoes of others and learn that compassion for others is the example led by God. I too want to follow the word of God and dedicate my life to becoming one with others. Father Boyle left a tattoo on my heart that I will carry forever. I hope to one day look back on this novel and add the experiences that I have had.

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"Living Buddha, Living Christ" Mindfulness

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"Living Buddha, Living Christ" Mindfulness

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“We often think of peace as the absence of war, that if powerful countries would reduce their weapon arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we see our own minds- our own prejudices, fears and ignorance. Even if we transport all the bombs to the moon, the roots of war and the roots of bombs are still there, in our hearts and minds, and sooner or later we will make new bombs. To work for peace is to uproot war from ourselves and from the hearts of men and women. To prepare for war, to give millions of men and women the opportunity to practice killing day and night in their hearts, is to plant millions of seeds of violence, anger, frustration, and fear that will be passed on for generations to come. ” We as humans are not aware that it is not materialistic objects that will change the world, it is what is within us. Being mindful of our surroundings gives us the opportunity to better ourselves and in turn better the world.

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"Living Buddha, Living Christ" is a novel that predominately focuses on the theme of mindfulness. As discussed in class Mindfulness allows us to be more aware of our surroundings and how we as human beings fit into these surroundings. By focusing on ones personal transformation, the novel shows that the best way to live life is by taking care of yourself as well as other living things. All surroundings matter in a grand scheme of things, and it is in our best interest to learn to live as one.

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"I spent a good part of the 1990's visiting St. Ann's because it ran an excellent and innovative afterschool, in which I was able to talk in length with children and was sometimes asked to help with their tutorials" (Kozol 16). Kozol volunteered his time to the church to serve the children and adults that needed help and would rely on the church as a safe spot.

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The biggest theme of "Fire in the Ashes" is Kindness. Jonathan Kozol strives to give those in need a chance to succeed. It is out of the goodness of his heart that so many people were able to receive aid and change their life. Without kindness the world would be a very lonely places. Kozol uses kindness to show his readers that one small act of kindness can lead to a ripple effect of goodness.

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Elias was eighteen years old and working at Homeboy Silkscreen. An ex gang member, he took the responsibility of being a father and maintaining employment. “Because Father Greg and Homeboy Industries believed in me, I decided to believe in myself. And the best way I can think of payin’ ‘em back is by changing my life” (Boyle 105). Boyle gave his friendship and loyalty to Elias and as a result he went from having his life in danger to being successful.

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Boyle defines kinship as “not serving the other but being with the other” (Boyle 188).

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“Because you are alive, everything is possible.”

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From the beginning of the semester all the way to the end I have developed immensely. Looking back to the beginning I am shocked at the amount I have learned in such a short amount of time. The biggest aspect I have grown in was realizing my personal goals. After reading our three class books and participating in CBL I have found that although I am one person I can make a huge difference in the world. I have the capability to be the next Father Greg or Jonathan Kozol and make an impact on others. Coming into the semester I was not completely sure about what I wanted to do with my career in the future. After reading about different people who influenced the world for good I became sure of what I want to do. Upon graduation I would like to become an elementary education teacher with a social work licensure. Helping children in need is a passion that I am very excited to pursue.

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“she’s really blossoming...doing honors, getting A’s, and the school by reputation is one of the best ones in the area” (Kozol 37).

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Father Boyle had run into a seventeen year old boy named Omar who had been in and out of detention facilities for many years. Omar--who has been part of a gang-- asked Boyle how many Homies he has had to burry. When Father Boyle replied with seventy five Omar questions when all of the death would end. “Mijo, it will end the minute...you decide” Boyle replied (Boyle 111). It is then that Omar decided he was going to make a change in his life and be the difference.

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There are many themes clearly stated in "Tattoos on the Heart" however the two themes I took away the most from were compassion and kinship.  Throughout the book, Tattoos on the Heart, Father Boyle displays lessons of Compassion and Kinship which contribute to bettering the lives of others throughout the development of the story as well as personally touching the hearts of readers and creating a desire for change in the world. Father Boyle used these themes to show readers that by opening up your heart to others, every person has the ability to change the world.

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“You stand with the least likely to succeed until success is succeeded by something more valuable: kinship” (Boyle 179)