Life, as a Character
In just about a week, three WordPress writers I keep watch on have all written fantastic posts pertaining to life, or something related to it, in a much more narrow perspective. Matters such as jobs, retirement, family, or simply growing old. They all are daunting, and scary things, mostly because they are all inevitable and as humans, we are forced to make the best of what we can with them. Just be happy, that is the sole purpose of life. I hope, at least.
We all begin our race to the finish line with one swift, and painful motion out from our mother’s womb. It is a messy but fantastic process, the miracle of life that ends ultimately in death. Our own purpose is not to die, however, but to live a fulfilling life. Parents never cease to seed high hopes for their off spring and give the aid in hopes of watching their hopeless newborn turn in to a self sustaining adult. Of course, not every maternity ward originator claims that label, but he or she always carries at least some glimmer of a proud parent behind himself or herself.
When looking in to the past, the idea of growing is barely tangible. I do not remember being two, but someone around me undoubtly does remember that stage of my barely lived life. I do remember being in second grade, and given the gift of eleven or so Samantha dolls from American Girl, only to choose a new one, with a full head of hair unlike my original with a receding hairline. I remember fingering my options in the dining room, pulling each doll’s hair to make sure it was in just so. Then, choosing the one that felt like it fit best in my arms and then retreating to bed with her. My choice remains confidant, and my memory of that bonding moment strong. Samantha has traveled every which way with me since, and sits proudly in the fourth bedroom I have resided in since receiving her. Growing up is such an impressionable experience, undoubtly.
The greatest moments of growing come from those moments of harsh realization. The idea of reaching that moment in life when you are an adult, not because you are of age, but because you have physically and emotionally matured and show some proof of having done so. That moment is defined in high school as the moment you obtain the job you so desire. That job you tested for, at a measly computer in a barely technologically advanced computer room. I hardly remember what my results read, but part of me doubts it mentioned blogging, Twitter, or politics. I used to be interested in working with children, and books, but now I feel it would just be a waste.
If not all men and women reach the notion of being highly successful, then what is the point of living a life motivated by occupational opportunities? I am sure, as you are reading this; you are welding together in your mind a defensive argument for the life you have chosen to lead. Your life does not rely on a job, which is what you are thinking. I will be the first to tell you that you are lying; your job is the means to an end. That end being the ability to afford food, shelter and a bite of general happiness and some type of hopeful retirement plan as Invisible Mikey pushed in to my attention. Money does not always lead to that warm feeling in the depth of your heart, but some is always a comfort to have.
Alas, the thought of a steady financial flow and dream of a comfortable retirement is mouth watering. My father and Grandmother gifted me an IRA when I was sixteen. I appreciated the thought that one day it could present me with a sum to which I could live on without having to work. Now, with the downwards and rarely upward economy, the account has staggered and could hardly be pointed to as successful. Instead, I hope to one day have “fuck you” money. That money you sometimes stumble upon that gives the ability to live how ever you choose, at a moment’s notice.
Does this make having an occupation and raising of some type of wealth the sole purpose? Of life? Of happiness? Or, is it something else? Is it the folks we meet along the way? She’s Boxing Clever; a writer full of undeniable soul, in a recent post sums it up, as those who you keep successful relationships with should not make you feel obligated to do so. That being the key of a joyful, healthy relationship. I agree, if there is an obligation, is there truly a pay off? I do hope, however, that those who make casual appearances on the way do hold some miniscule purpose, I hope.
She’s Boxing Clever mentions a specific relative, a sister-in-law, who when it came down to it forced herself upon SBC’s family as an obligation. In fear of just regurgitating what was a memorable post, that is where I will stop in describing it. SBC’s piece did make me think of someone specific.
A particular family member of ours’ has never been incredibly close with our family, we have never tried to cultivate a meaningful relationship and to avoid offending those in my family that read this, I will avoid mentioning whom specifically. I am not as brave as SBC, not yet.
We have seen this relative on the odd holiday, especially since moving unbearably close to their home, but the presence has never been welcome and mostly ends in being a physically painful burden. I came to the harsh and dizzy realization that a proper relationship would never be present between this person and myself when I was only a freshman in high school. My parents had long felt the same way.
Although the description of this relative, and the events that perspired are vague, I am sure they ring true for some reading. Is an unrewarding familial relationship worth the possibly burden?
There is one reason for living that was not brought up this week. Live purposefully and happily to please your creator, God, or whatever religion you so choose, if any. Live well now in hopes of there being a heaven, somewhere out there. Personally? No thank you. I will live for myself and for nobody else. God is someone who I cannot hold faith in. God has never shown his or her face in my life, so why should I live my life for him or her? The Bible, and many other religious writings hold wonderful stories and morals, but none to rely on for the possible afterlife.
To some, the most frightening thought is to live and then loose it all. Not loose financially, but mentally. Invisible Mikey has showered us faithful readers with great memoir like posts coming from his place of work. Alzheimer’s patients quite possibly give the bleakest outlook of life. As impressive of a life they may have lived, if in the end they loose their mind to it, was it worth it? I would like to think so.
What is the purpose of life? It is a haunting question lurking in the back of all of our brains, slowly gnawing at our souls and blackmailing us in to giving some type of answer out of sincere desperation. It is also the meanest question of them all. If you have no answer, then why are you still here, taking up space on this ever crowded earth?
As you may have already guessed, using obvious context clues or not, I do not rely on religion for life as some do. Instead, I have found dabbling in philosophy to be much more interesting and fulfilling. Philosophy does not promise something that has never been successfully proven; instead, it offers ideas that are intellectually filling and spiritually reliable.
Existence precedes essence: existentialism. I dare you to read that three times fast and then attempt to explain it, truly. “Man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world – and defines himself afterwards,” You are free to believe what you feel most fitting, but since the eleventh grade I have swooned of the words of Jean-Paul Sartre.
Life is a tricky event to explain. We are born to live, and live to die. We live to leave the legacy of a healthy child, who in turn repeats the aforementioned cycle. It is a dirty cycle; one filled with pain, and despair but one that is most often overcome by bouts of euphoric happiness. That is what I would like to live for. The euphoric happiness, the thought that the choices I make are the sole purpose of life. If not that, then what?
September 25, 2010
Come One, Come All
These next coming days will probably be the only days I stick to a severely biased news network and do not mind doing so. Why? Well, because for once, they are beyond right and I cannot seem to do anything but nod in agreement with them. The network? Fox News… Now, please, stop shaking your finger at me. The issue? Immigration. I know, immigration has been so drawn out and chatted about it is almost unnerving. But, as long as there are border hoppers and illegal workers illegal immigration will always be relevant, so why not chat some more concerning it?
Everyone knows the deal with illegal immigration. I mean deal as in definition, so far very few parties have made out well in this illegal situation and I am sure you can guess by process of elimination that so far, America has not been one of them. In 2007, America’s immigrant population reached 37.9 million, this including both legal and illegal immigrants. This statistic translates roughly to one in eight of those residing in America to be immigrants. If one would like to go further and know how many of those immigrants happen to be illegal, it is about one in three. Where do many of them hail from? Nearly half of the Mexican immigrants in America are here illegally, along with one half of Central American immigrants and one-third of South American immigrants. It may sound like the singling out of an ethnicity, but it’s not, it is just a cold hard truth.
With this constant flow of negative statistics, a person has to wonder: why are these immigrants coming, and staying, illegally? Is it for the American Dream of that darling cape with a white picket fence? Ah, to have two full sized bathrooms and a breakfast nook. Or is it because they are safer here in the good ole’ United States? I mean, who really wants to stay in Mexico with this unending drug war? No hands? I didn’t think so. Then what is it?
If you could enter a country, nearly free of financial cost, send your children to school without having to pay taxes, and possibly receive government financial aid, wouldn’t you jump on that border crossing band wagon? Welcome to America, land of the free.
I know, illegal immigrants do participate in their share of work, and at a depressingly low cost. Remember, this low cost is generally paid under the table, tax-free. It is that cost that makes these illegal immigrants attractive, and so employable by corporations and small businesses alike. Actually, so employable that they are among the highest percentage of employed people residing in New York City today. Citing recent Census statistics, Mexicans, as the one of the largest immigrant groups present in New York City, are more likely to be employed than an actual New York City native. This employable nonsense is not something that is only harbored in New York City; it is spreading among the country too. Illegal immigrants are taking jobs that should rightfully be handed to those who live in America, legally.
If only the problem with illegal immigration stopped with those who have become employed over legal American citizens. There is also the crime to think about. First off, illegal immigration is a crime punishable by the United States government. A family of illegal immigrants crossing American borders and staying undermines America’s national security and puts a drain on national funding. Though, statistics can be found that illegal immigrants are less likely than an American native to commit a heinous crime due to fear of being deported, isn’t living in America illegally and forcing Americans to pay the way heinous enough?
If all of this is true, then why did Stephen Colbert appear in Congress fighting for rights of immigrants currently residing and working in the United States? He may like to speak out for those who are not usually heard, and fight for their rights but… Why would you give an illegal resident Constitutional rights? I may not have been there when the Bill of Rights was first drafted, but I am immensely confident that “We the People” meant Americans, and those legally residing in America.
Colbert’s show of meager intelligence and mockery was just that, nothing more. Essentially, his satirical notion came down to those illegal immigrants holding agricultural jobs. Colbert, before addressing Congress did participate in a day’s work to become a sort of self-proclaimed expert.
Farm work may be grueling, but does that mean a legal American would deny such a job? I would like to think the answer to that question would be a ‘no’.
Stephen Colbert’s appearance may have been nothing more than a headache inducer, but the Democratic Party seems intent on making illegal immigration more of an everlasting migraine. It looks as if Colbert may have had one thing right, many of them may be out of jobs come November.
This notion in turn brings me to The DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act. If I were to go with the nutshell explanation of what The DREAM Act really is, I would tell you it is amnesty for illegal immigrants between the ages of twelve and thirty-five. Oh yes, amnesty. How? By receiving credits in higher education or serving proper military service, those illegal immigrants previously in the United States for five years, can apply and be granted American citizenship. The cost? Well, that would mean American taxes paying for those four years of high school, and the possible years before that, required by any higher education institution. And an illegal immigrant participating opts to go in to the military? Those positions are paid once boot camp is completely. So yes, the Democratic Party wants to pay illegal immigrants to become legal.
Then, what does the Republican Party so desire within the realms of illegal immigration? Do not fret; this issue was rightfully addressed in their newest “Pledge to America”.
This whole debate may sound like it is leaking from a Conservative’s mouth, or maybe even a Tea Partier’s political leanings but isn’t it just common sense that illegal immigrants are illegal? This then striking the possibilities of a well-rounded education, employment opportunities and equal rights… Away? That is what I had though, but who knows, maybe it’s not common sense and somewhere along the way a large group of Americans forgot what “We the People” truly means. Or, maybe that meaning has just evolved in to more of a “Come one, Come all, here is my open wallet” type of interpretation.