Inspired?
"All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: That I am nobody but myself.”
--Ralph Ellison, From Invisible Man
How do the Inspired Bicycles presentation and the Ralph Ellison quote relate to your world? Do they provide you with a new perspective? How should we examine our lives? Who are we? How shall we live? Should we follow our dreams? What are our realizations? Can the presentation and quotation connect with your academic endeavors? Did they make you look twice? Did they inspire and motivate you? If you have seen one of these before, what is your new reaction? Other reactions? Please connect and comment using complete sentences. This blog post should be completed by Wednesday, August 28th, 2013 at 2:30p.m.
posted by Greg T at Tuesday, August 06, 2013
23 Comments:
After reading Ralph Ellison’s quote and seeing Inspired Bicycles I do look at things in life a little differently. In order to discover who you are as a person and what you are going to be in life is up to you and only you. Others opinions can be helpful, but other people’s opinions can influence you in good and bad ways. People want different things in life so when it comes to what you want you are the only person who can decide that, I think that’s what Edison is saying in his quote and how I see it. After watching the Inspired Bicycle video it showed me that in order to be really good at something you are passionate about you have to work at it. I think dreams can come true its just a matter of you wanting them to. If you want something then you have to do anything and everything to make yourself the best. The video did give me more motivation to do my best in school and in dance. It also showed that hard work really does pay off.
After watching the Inspired Bicycles video and reading the quote by Ralph Ellison I have decided that they relate to my life in a way that it is unique to me. They both show how the world around us will try to sway us into their perception and opinion on how we should live our lives. The quote and video introduce the idea of know ourselves, however, they mean that mentally. We should now ourselves more than others now us. We should know the destination of our life to some extent but these want us to go a step further. They want us to know the path, how we will get there. Along that journey we need to take advantage of every moment and make the best of them. These sources show in short that we need to just follow our dreams and our calling and forget what society deems as success. Forget the money, the houses, and the cars but remember the love and care and use that as motivation the true definition of personal success. When all is said and done, you need to feel like you fulfilled your dreams and not have worried about what society dreamed for you. The presentation and quote also match to my academic endeavors as well. My family wants the best for me and they want me to succeed. They want me to have a straight A report card just as much as I do. I am determined to achieve that. But as I said earlier it isn't the destination or in this case the straight A report card that matter to me it is the journey along the way. I want to learn and experience myself to the knowledge that will improve my life. I want that knowledge that I earn not to just be a way to achieve societal success but personal success. I want that knowledge to give me that straight A report card but I also want it to enlighten me and give me a further understanding of the world around me and how it relates to myself. These sources made me look twice. They showed that the views of our surroundings aren't what matter it's how we look out upon our surrounding and how they change us. The video and quote definitely inspire and motivate me. They made me want succeed but also push past the restraints of society and achieve in a way I only view as success. It makes me want to be the best that I can be. When I reach that point, instead of feeling that I've maxed out I will see the need for success and my motivation and drive will continue to push me farther. One of my favorite quotes in life comes from an NFL quarterback and he said, "People ask me which ring is my favorite, and I always reply; the next one." I find that quote to be outstanding and it doesn't just relate to athletics but life. When you've reached the pinnacle of success, guess what, there is so much more to discover.
Upon watching the Inspired Bicycles video and reading the very inspirational quote by Ralph Ellison, I have drawn some conclusions about how both of these pieces relate to my life. Both the video and Ellison send a very strong message about how the only life you can control, is your own. I believe that the choices I make on a daily basis, along with the way I see myself now and where I want to see myself in the future all have to do with one's own perspective on their life. However, I also believe that choices, emotions, goals and plenty of other things can be influenced and even sabotaged by other people's opinions. I think that everyone has asked for another person's opinion, whether it be because you are seeking help and support with a decision you're making, or maybe even just looking for constructive criticism. However, I firmly believe that when it comes to someone's own goals and ambitions, as well as big decisions that could directly affect their life, that should solely be up to no one other than that person who has to ultimately decide these things. Ralph Ellison makes a very good point when he says: "I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer." I can guarantee this quote directly relates to everyone in one way or another, because I truly believe that sometimes the questions that we have the hardest times answering are the one's we have to ask ourselves. Nobody knows you better than you do and both the video and the quote are very inspirational and motivational in terms of helping you find determination to do the best that you can do in every single situation. However, they also send a huge positive message about following your own dreams, and becoming inspired by absolutely everything around you, and falling in love with life because I think that if you don't follow your dreams, you're cheating yourself out of happiness, and you're settling. I definitely found this video and this quote so moving because they not only relate to my social life, but my academic life as well. Something I can take away from these pieces would just be sheer motivation to keep going, and stick with what I believe is best for me, because I truly know what that is better than anyone else. Even if I have to question myself sometimes to get there, I understand that that's apart of the individual journey that I, and every single other person is on.
After reading Ralph Ellison’s quote and seeing Inspired Bicycles, I can tell that it relates to my world because as a teenager, I am also looking for myself and I'm very naive. But as I am looking for myself, I can't rely on others to tell me who I am, I have to discover that on my own. Others can influence the things I do and the way I think, but ultimately I am the only person who can know who I am. I believe that is also what Ralph Ellison was saying in the quote, which I strongly agree with. It has taken me a while to realize this and I have also had to learn the hard way that I am decide who I am going to be. Also I have realized that is completely up to me to follow my dreams and how I will get there. I can’t let others tell me what to do, I know what is best for myself and how I will succeed.
The Inspired Bicycles presentation and the Ralph Ellison quote relates to my life because I am looking for myself as well. I think it is important to find what you want to do in life, this also relates back to school, there are many teachers and adults willing to tell you what to do, without leaving room to find it out for yourself. It provides me with a new perspective because most teenagers, including myself, look to adults to answer the life determining questions for them, grades also answer these questions, they decide our future and tell us who we are and what we are worth, or that’s at least what society tells us. I think we should examine our lives using experience, our own experiences, not following the very limited path of education. It is expected that we know all about ourselves by the time we reach the end of high school and make a decision on what we want to spend the rest of our lives doing, and I believe this is a very unrealistic expectation.
The video and quote relate to my world because I'm told everyday that who I am and what I want to do with my life isn't good enough for society. It gives me a new perspective on how many people believe that they can't do what they want and be who they are also known as drone beggars, its sad. We should all examine our lives as unique and who you are is up to you and no one else. Who we are is determined by others if you allow them but all it takes is stepping up and being you and doing what you love- just like in the video. We should live life to the fullest in our own way. Following your dreams is necessary, and if you can balance dreams with success its even better. The presentation does connect with our academics, in most cases academics determines our fate in life but in my case academics is just another requirement of society, and is used as a reflection of someone which is unnecessary in my eyes. The video and quote didn't really inspire me but made me realize that my views on the world are right.
Other people are always going to try and tell you what you want to do because people always told them what to do, and that's what's accepted. After reading this quote and watching Inspired Bikes, I want to stop asking others about how to be successful, and start asking myself how can I be happy. Danny MacAskill found a passion on his own, that he absolutely loved. He didn't have to work for hours a day to get good at it, he got to play for hours each day doing what he loved. I want to find what that is for me, whether it will make me rich or not, I would rather enjoy doing what I do and making a little money, then hate doing what I do to make a lot of money.
After reading Ralph Ellison’s quote and seeing Inspired Bicycles I started to look at things differently. If you want to learn who you are and what your going to do when your older, it is completely up to you and you only. If someone says your bad at what you do and you will never make it to where you want to go, use that as an inspiration and prove that person wrong. After watching Inspired Bicycles, it taught me that if you want something bad enough you will do everything in your power to accomplish that task. Hard work will pay off eventually. You just have to keep working at it, think positive and hopefully it will come true.
Watching the Inspired Bicycles video and reading the quote by Ralph Ellison has really made me look at my life in a brighter light. These two pieces of work have shown me that your life belongs to you and your the one who controls the outcome. Even if there are forces that try to push you back and don't want want you to achieve your goals they actually have no say in what you do and achieve unless you listen to them and believe yourself that you are not good enough. You have to ignore the people who tell you no and I believe that is what Ralph Ellison is trying to say in his quote. The video inspired me and made me want to be good at something I love. whether that thing be hockey, driving, mountain biking or being a good friend. I am inspired to find something I truly love to do everyday and I want to become as good at it as the guy in the video is at stunt biking.
The inspired bicycles and the Ralph Ellison quote they are both looking for something. In the video Danny Macaskill was looking for a way back home but also he was doing these insane tricks. In Ellison’s quote he talks about how he must find out that he is no one but himself by himself. This can relate to my world because I feel like that everyone, including me, are always looking for something if it’s be the next gossip or next best shoes. We are always looking for a way to achieve greatness in our lives. Both of the literary devices help put a new perspective on what talent there is in our world. For instance Danny was incredible and Ellison really put out good writing that makes you think and I also realize that there is always room for improvement and to abet others in improving their own lives. I am inspired by both of the Devices and they want to make me go above and beyond. I have seen the bicycle video before but it was even better to watch with sort of a purpose.
After watching the video Inspired Bicycles and reading Ralph Ellison’s quote, my views on life have not really changed. I have always seen life as an adventure. As I look more towards my future I do not stress as much as most do; I see it as, things happen to you because they are supposed and there is no way to change it. Although I do have my parents breathing down my back about my grades; I want to and know I need to go through life doing the things I enjoy. Along the lines of Ralph Ellison, I believe that you have to endure tough events to finally relieze that you are the boss of your own self. I have both plans and dreams but I do not believe that you can plan out your future to perfection. I would like to have life as easy as it looks in movies, but I am ready and some-what prepared for the hard climb ahead of me. My main belief is that I am young and I wont be for long. Being young I need to take advantage of all the things I have the ability to do. I want to travel, climb, fly, and test my body’s potential. I have to many things I want to do but, I am going to take life on like the waves in the ocean.
I think it's really just saying that we shouldn't let anyone tell us how to live our lives, because that's just what they are-- our lives. They belong to no one but ourselves, and whether we like it or not, it means we're the only ones who can choose what we do with them. But we can take it one of two ways-- we can sit and be upset that nobody's giving us all the answers, or we can make our own answers. I think that's what the Inspired Bicycles star was doing. He was doing something that pleased him, so who should stop him? The quote kind of tells me that of course, other people can guide you and inspire you along the way, like Ralph Ellison has inspired many, as has the inspired bicycles presentation. The video showed me that I should do my best in everything I aspire to do well in, like schoolwork, and even connecting it back to the Benjamin Franklin thing, my virtues. It inspired me to be more virtuous and try harder even though it is really hard to follow your virtues. The Inspired Bicycles presentation showed me that anything is possible and that with enough hard work, you can be the best at anything.
When first recieving this assignment I thought that these two pieces wouldn't relate to me at all. The surprising thing is that both relate to me at a high level and truly connect with me on a daily bases. Ralph Elison's quote relates to my life the most. Since as early as I can remember there has always been someone in my ear weather it being parents, friends, etc. trying to give me a guiding hand. Some I took to heart and tried to live my life to please them instead of pleasing me and what I strive for. The most I take out from this quote is that all your life others will try to guide you in a way they see fit.. But you yourself must be the one who chooses the path that you would like to travel while also taking others advice on the way. The Inspired Bicycle video I realized that if you truly want something in life weather it being good grades, to be good at a sport, or making a dream of yours come true. You must be truly dedicated at making that happen and must strive towards that dream or goal everyday. I feel like "Industry" fits perfect with these thoughts in mind. Every day you must be doing something to better yourself and be working towards something in order for it to happen.
The Inspired bicycle presentation and the Ralph Ellison quote have opened my eyes and made me realize that both of these relate to my life.in very impacting ways. They have changed my perspective in life from being not what people tell me i was as Ralph was saying in his quote and to just do your thing without fear of being judged. When we examine our lives we should focus on the good things and less on the negative because in the end that will ultimately get us closer to our dreams. When living you should live every day following your dreams, and when following your dreams you should just go for it no matter how crazy or bizarre it might be, don’t be afraid of intimidation from other people and let them make you think differently. The presentation and question have sparked a little interest in my academic career and have gave me some motivation to try to get through the school year even though I will face some tough obstacles. I have seen previous things like this before, but honestly my reaction to this one is that their are people living their dreams right now. Just like the bicycle presentation, that man is living it up just going around the world doing what he loves.
After reading the quote by Ralph Ellison and watching the Inspired Bicycles video my view on life has shifted a little. I have learned that although we may confide in others to help us along our lifes path it is ultimately up to us to decide what we want to do. That is not to say that we should shut ourselves out from the outside world, but to take note of what people say and choose the choices that will help us achieve our goal or dream. I also learned that if you want something bad enough and you are passionate and devoted to a cause like bicycling there is no telling how great you can become. The video made me want to chase my dreams and ignore the chatter of society or what they view as success. It made me want to strive in whatever I'm doing weather that is school or basketball and become the best that I can be. I know my path in life may get difficult and ill hit obstacles and get knocked down on the way, but its getting up and continuing to push that will allow me to catch my dreams. The video and quote in some way woke me up and made me realize that theirs no time to be wasted now is the time to act and begin my lifes journey.
After watching the bike video I realized that everyone is able to excel at something and all you have to do is find what that is.
After reading Ralph Ellison’s quote and seeing the short Bicycle video, I definitely can say I am inspired. I am inspired to make my own decisions in life, because in the end it is only going to hurt or help ME. No one else. Sometimes other people’s opinions may help you make decisions in life, but you can’t always rely on them. The bicyclist is an example of someone who found out what he loved and went out and did it. Doing something you love in life is very important. No one can determine what is best for you. Only you can do that because you are you. No one can determine what you love and what to do at life. I definitely think dreams can come true. It all depends on how hard you try for it. Also you must love what you’re doing and be confident in yourself. If you have no confidence you can’t get very far. The video really proves to me that you can do anything if you put your heart into it.
the Inspired Bicycles presentation and the Ralph Ellison quote relates to my world because I personally found them both really inspirational. I really enjoyed and was uplifted by how hard the man with the bicycle worked. It made me want to get out in the world and do something great. It showed me that if you work hard enough you can master something with immense power and strength. The quote was also impactful. It made me take a second look at my life. Often we are taught in school that if you don’t know the answer then raise your hand and ask a question. But, when we look further into the mind process no one can really answer the questions we have except for ourselves. I think that everyone need stop asking questions but solving them. I’m not saying you should never as questions but how will you truly learn unless you find it for yourself. You can’t ask someone who am I? You define yourself. You provide the answer.
Inspired Bicycles video has taught me that i can be whatever I want in life, if i have a passion for something and i work hard at it we are able to do anything. Pushing your limits as a person physically and mentally is important. It gives you a challenge that you have to push to accomplish.
I think the quote and the presentation don't relate to my life because I don't think that we should look at other people as better than us or more talented. I think that people judge or look at other people based off of what they do and not how they are as a person. I think we should just do what makes us happy and it shouldn't matter how other people see us. The quote and the presentation make me realize that if you put up with school for long enough then you can get out and then do what makes you happy. This doesn't motivate me it makes me think about how we do kind of pointless things constantly for about 18 years.
After reading Ralph Ellison's quote I found myself really connecting to what he said. In my life I always find myself wondering how everybody else does certain things, or how they have success in areas of their life that I don't have in mine. I am constantly comparing myself to others to try to figure out what I need to change. This quote made me realize that I should try to be myself and not worry about how other people do things. and that I should be asking myself questions about the person I want to be.
After reading Ralph Ellison's quote I found myself really connecting to what he said. In my life I always find myself wondering how everybody else does certain things, or how they have success in areas of their life that I don't have in mine. I am constantly comparing myself to others to try to figure out what I need to change. This quote made me realize that I should try to be myself and not worry about how other people do things. and that I should be asking myself questions about the person I want to be.
After watching the video by inspired bicycles, it made me realize what the world has to offer that we take for granted. He creates abandoned house, dirt trails, and pipes into his "play ground" something that many of us look at as just an abandoned house or a pipe, he looks at it and sees a good time. The video has made me realize how to look at things in different ways then the average person sees them.
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