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Today was the day where I handed up my phone and was without it for the day. Honestly, it was no big deal. Fasting for things that consume me and take time away from God is a great way to get closer to Him. Plus, Ms. Moran, you know my phone, it dies every five seconds and I'm stuck waiting for my brother any! The only negative effect that this experiment had on me was knowing the time for when I went out to lunch. Even then, my friends had phones and I asked them. Communicating with people in person is a very important way to create friends and offer adventure in your life. What importance does staring at a phone 24/7 have? Phones and so many other materialistic objects are just things the Devil uses to hide satisfaction. But, in the end, nobody ever gains anything from these materials and the cycle continues! Stopping to look around the world and helping others see truth and opportunity is one million times better than looking at a light...Why waste my time when family and friends are what you really need.

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"There I feel that nothing can befall me in life, - no disgrace, no calamity (leaving me my eyes), which nature cannot repair."

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“Men do what is called a good action, as some piece of courage or charity, much as they would pay a fine in expiation of daily non-appearance on parade. Their works are done as an apology or extenuation of their living in the world. I do not wish to expiate, but to live. My life is not an apology, but a life.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

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“Science does not know its debt to imagination.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

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“Nature is a setting that fits equally well a comic or a mourning piece.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

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"The sky is less grand as it shuts down over less worth in the population." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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"Yet it is certain that the power to produce this delight, does not reside in nature, but in man, or in a harmony of both."

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AGe9gD16sJ28SAFTSc6GPl3JlsksyXioZ2fawi5GoWA/edit

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"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.” When Henry Thoreau says this, what he means is that a person who may seem strange or too outgoing, is just a way to show that they have different views and opinions than the rest of society. Just because one may go against the crowd, does not make that person "weird," but rather is confident and strong in their beliefs. I think that that is a very important trait that all people should carry. Just as Ralph Emerson has preached throughout his essay, "Self-Reliance," that society in a whole bunch of conformists who try and control your actions. Be the nonconformists who goes left when everyone goes right, the one who rises up and the one who stands their ground.

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“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment” (Emerson).
Wow! This quote from Ralph Emerson has got a very deep and inspirational meaning behind it. I am all for Ralph's views on society and the strength it takes to be able to overcome individuality. Emerson states in the quote, "...a world that is constantly trying to make you something else..." (Emerson). I feel that there is a huge emphasis on the word constantly in this idea. Ralph is telling his view on society by describing the conformism and pressure that floats into today's world. Pressure and not being yourself contradicts the transcendentalism belief to strive to be the best you that you can become and not let the views of others affect you.

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The author, Henry David Thoreau depicts his view of society as a consuming group of people that conform the world to become the same general personality. He believes that everyone should be able to express them-self and not let civilization pressure them into becoming like the rest of the world. Society has become very sensitive to opinions and even some of the facts. I feel like I have to roam my school watching what I say because someone might get offended by something that has nothing to do with them. Nosiness and "stalking" is also another issue that our world has. Others are too worried about other people's problems and treasures yet they neglect to respect themselves and worry about their own issues. I tend to agree with what Ralph Waldo Emerson had to say about nonconformity and choosing your own path. It is very important to live life to the fullest and not to live to surpass the pleasure or needs of another. We came on this earth for one purpose, to glorify God and spread His name across the world so that many may rest in heaven. But, today's world is so conformed to sticking to one idea and not opening their eyes that they miss the wonderful opportunity to live an eternal life.

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Isolating myself from the rest of the world, the rest of society, the rest of my family, would be such a challenge to overcome. This long journey that separates me from life may as well be the last time I will ever hear another voice. I feel like it would be very important to personally say goodbye to my closest family members who would deeply miss me when I go on this journey. I do not want my close ones to be filled with anxiety wondering where I am or something terribly wrong happens to me. I would not bring any type of technology or communication because going on this journey will give me a first-person perspective on the transcendentalism lifestyle. I would bring some flint for starting a fire to give me the ability to thrive in the wild. A few blankets and supplies to build my shelter will also be a necessity to give me the skills in living. I feel that it is VERY important to let my friends and family know that I would be going on this adventure as well as bringing supplies to not hinder my survival.

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Confidence is the most important factor in pursuing a dream and attaining what you think it takes to be the next best. This quote inspires others to push themselves to reach out for their dreams and not let anyone get in the way. To not let another's opinion distract you from chasing what you think your future will hold. Thoreau describes, "Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler" (Thoreau). Do not over think your beliefs and feel like your dreams are too out-fetched because anything is possible if you work, put your mind to it, and most of all, have confidence in yourself.

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Regret. This day pokes the back of my mind each and every day, sometimes, a lot more than other days. When I think of my decision, all I feel is the pain, the regret and the immense contemplation over what I had done. Let me take you back to the fifth grade. It was around Easter time, late March, and my friend and I had prepared all year for this special moment. My friend, I will just call him John, and I was chosen by our music teacher to perform at a sort of talent show that was based at Lake Riviera Middle School. Once a year, students would get picked to perform their special or hidden abilities. I was chosen for singing, while John was selected for playing the flute. So, once or twice a week, we would leave a class early and practice our talents with my music teacher. This man was the most laughable and jolly guy I probably have ever met and would always know how to crack a joke. Anyway, there was much thought put into what song I should perform on this special night. Days and days went by, each creeper closer to the end date. One time, when I was home, my mom suggested I sing Amazing Grace because that was my Great Grandfather's favorite hymn. She even thought that since he loved the song so much, that we should invite him from Staten Island to come and see me! I thought that was a tremendous idea! My Great Grandfather was a man of God, a true warrior who fought on the side of the Creator.
The next day I go to school, so excited to announce my song to my music teacher! But, before I could unzip my lips, my teacher had said to me, "Hey, I've thought a lot about this song choice and I think I found the perfect match." I honestly didn't care what he had to say because I had the song set in my mind, but do you know what he said to me? He said that I should sing Amazing Grace because he felt that I had the perfect voice for it. I was blown away! I informed him that my grandpa adores this hymn and that my mother and I had even discussed this. This was truly a message from God that I had to sing this. But what kind of message would this mean?
Of course, a roadblock! My music teacher later informs me that the show had been responded for some reason, I believe the rain, until next Tuesday, March 26, 2014.Now, before I tell this part, I need you to know that I was told, when I was home alone, to never answer the door and the house phone. Brrrrrring brrrrring! I checked the caller-id and it stated my mother's friends name. So, like the "always obedient" kid I was, I didn't answer it. Brrrring brrrring! Hm, this time it was my Great Grandpa! I wanted to answer it so bad but I wanted to respect my mother's orders. Three times my grandpa called, each rang louder and louder, one more tempting than the other. Then, silence had lost its heartbeat. No more calls, no more ringing, no more worrying.
Fast forward to about 4 hours, around 8 pm, and my family and I get a phone call... I glanced into my mother's eyes and I could see my reflection on her teardrop. "Boys, Great Grandpa ju...just...d...d...died" I grabbed my dog and threw myself o my couch and cried an ocean into the cushions. I would NEVER be able to sing to him, his favorite song, Amazing Grace. And you know what I hated myself the most for? NOT ANSWERING THE PHONE CALLS! I asked myself that question one billion times every day hoping to find an answer but there was none. I wanted to hear him say "I love you great grandson" just one more time, just one more time.
Now I never knew why God didn't let me sing to him, but I have faith in my Savior that He had a plan. And as I became older and more mature in my walk with Christ, I believe He answered those unanswered questions. I grew closer to the Lord and my eyes opened up. Now, even today, I become very sidetracked and tend to wander off the path of God. But, by surrounding myself with the people I love and care about and can share stories with other believers, it makes me a lot closer to both God and I believe a lot closer to my Great Grandpa.
Now, I didn't walk away from the talent show, as I had denied wanting to do it for so long, but my family was by my side the entire time. They said to not do it for me, but to do it for Grandpa. I took their words very much to my heart and that I do not regret. I dedicated the song to my Great Grandpa before performing, and even choked up during it, but I was proud to stand on that stage, before the crowd, before my Grandpa, in the shining lights. Not only did I represent my family, but I represented my God and my Grandpa, and there is nothing more I could have asked for. And for that, I would love to say this, without God, I would be a mess. He has crafted me and sculpted me to be strong in the mind and keep my faith and trust in His works. Because at the end of the day, nothing in this world will ever be taken with you after death. So don't focus on your past, but focus on the future and what it takes to represent your faith. Philippines 3: 13-14 states, "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."