Not Too Far Off
While I was a teenager about to go off to college, I watched <em>Death of a Salesman</em> at the theater. At the time I was struggling with the transition I was about to embark on, but I found a deep connection to Biff's character. I felt like I was always running a never ending marathon for the amusement of those around me. After seeing Biff finally stand up to Willy and tell him that he was tired of trying to be something that he could not achieve, I felt a sense of clarity. I had to pursue what I wanted in life not just seek the approval of others. I started to implement this attitude in my daily life and saw that I began to enjoy life much more. You never know what will be your changing point until it blindsides you.
Arthur Miller
<em>Death of a Salesman</em> by Arthur Miller
Spring 2014
Brian Finke, 21, Student at Texas A&M
not-too-far-off
Darkest Before the Dawn
Due to the oil and gas industry plummeting in 2016, my dad lost his job that he had for over 30 years, right before I was about to leave for college. I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of guilt and anxiety for the duration of that summer. In addition to this, I was unhealthily dwelling on all the new transitions that were to shortly come. Having to live on my own, find a new group of friends, and ultimately, adjust to the course load that university was going to demand of me were all weighing heavy on my mind.
I was mindlessly listening to music one night when a particular lyric caught my attention. “It’s always darkest before the dawn,” from Florence + the Machine’s “Shake It Out” quickly resonated with me upon hearing it. Hearing these words at this time of my life helped me realize that just because things seem difficult and unbearable at the time, it doesn’t mean that they will always be that way. Hearing the right string of words at the right moment can have a profound effect and I am thankful that the Humanities celebrates such moments.
Florence + the Machine
"Shake It Out" by Florence + the Machine
Summer 2016
Natalie Huebel, 22 years old and a student at Texas A&M University.
darkest-before-the-dawn
Response to a response
I was in my English class and we were talking about humanities moments for extra credit. We talked about <a href="http://humanitiesmoments.org/moment/robbins-finding-freedom-from-familiar">a woman who disagreed with the "mimetic" effect</a> and she claimed that people have a desire to be different. I agree with this idea but I also believe that each human has a purpose in this world. Each individual is born with a burning desire inside of them to fulfill this purpose and live their lives to the absolute fullest. This gives me hope that one day each individual will discover something that makes them feel alive each day and causes them to live with purpose.<br /><br /><em>Curator's note</em>: This contribution refers to the Humanities Moment "<a href="http://humanitiesmoments.org/moment/robbins-finding-freedom-from-familiar">Finding Freedom from the Familiar"</a> by Hollis Robbins.
Hollis Robbins
The Humanities Moment "Finding Freedom from the Familiar"
10:30 am Feb, 21 2018
Jacob, Johnston 20 years old. College student at Texas A&M University
response-to-a-response
God Wink
Today I went to Smoothie King after I left the gym, like I always do. As I neared the drive thru window, a little voice inside my head told me, “pay for the person’s order behind you.” Without hesitation, I handed the cashier my card and asked him to add the next person’s order to my bill. With a strange look on his face, he agreed. He then returned with my receipt and my smoothie and I pulled away.
When I got home I glanced at the receipt and realized that what I assumed would be an $8.00 act of random kindness, turned out to be $25.00. I immediately thought to myself, “wow! I tried to be generous and this is what happens?” I reached for my phone to text my mom about what had just occurred when I noticed the unread daily text message my preacher sends out. Sure enough, the text message read “Generosity is rarely about money. It‘s more about the willingness you have to share a blessing with other people. –Acts 20:35”
In that moment, God reminded me of why I chose to be generous; not because I thought it was a cheap favor, but because I chose to show kindness.
Acts 20:35
April 25, 2018
Stephany Rankin, 22, Student at Texas A&M University
god-wink
Live with a Humanities Mindset!
As a society we are so often encouraged to go about our days in such a way that builds our own futures. This is great and all, but we need to think of the effects of always thinking of ourselves. This standard attitude of underhanded selfishness is so prevalent that seeing a person take the time to recognize the future of another individual or group of individuals and actually take action to improve the future of that or those individual(s) has been given a series of special names: charity, or donation, or social service, or community service. Why not make it a part of every day to chase our own dreams at the same time as fighting for futures beyond our own?
Kenneth, 20, student at Texas A&M University
live-with-a-humanities-mindset
To Pimp a Butterfly
Some would say music is the most powerful of the arts. The album <em>To Pimp A Butterfly</em> by Kendrick Lamar is just that, powerful. The overall theme of the album revolves around the black experience in America. This album is an emotional, gut wrenching roller coaster. With George Clinton and Thundercat production, <em>To Pimp A Butterfly</em> has an authentic Afro-Funk sound to compliment the layered, complex subject matter in the lyrics. Kendrick speaks in depth about how having slave ancestors affects him in an honest and vulnerable way without compromising strength. <br /><br />This album made me question whether I had spent enough time thinking about the effects of over 400 years of slavery. I highly recommend this album to everyone interested in the American black experience!!!
<em>To Pimp a Butterfly</em> by Kendrick Lamar
2015
Alex Azzi, Student at TAMU
to-pimp-a-butterfly