Writing

We have recently been writing short stories in my creative writing class. Unfortunately they are much more difficult than I expected. The biggest difficulty I faced was ending my story. Since I know so many facts about my characters I wanted to continue writing and building onto their lives. I felt that they deserved more than just a short story but rather a novel. My ideas for them are almost endless. I struggled with the ending because I did not want to completely close the story. The reader, I felt should make their own assumption as to how the lives of the characters would end.

The next issue I faced was the characters themselves. Since I enjoy reading, I found my characters to have similar personality traits. Another student in my class even commented on a similarity. This was challenging because the characters from books I have read often make a lasting impression. I wished to incorporate some traits but not duplicate the character.

After overcoming these few problems I think my story turned out well. Now I just need to think of a title.

1000 Years

Death and the afterlife is a sensitive topic. Everyone has their own belief system on heaven and hell or reincarnation. My belief, however, is a blending of the two. A teacher recently asked, in one thousand years where do you think you will be? My belief on what happens after death is slightly complicated. In order to describe where I will be in one thousand years, I must first explain my belief behind death.

After death, my body will be buried but my soul will hopefully go to heaven. Once in heaven, my soul will have a choice. It can either remain in heaven or be reincarnated on Earth. I think most choose reincarnations as an opportunity to achieve peace in the afterlife. My soul, I believe, would be reincarnated as a tree.

After reincarnation, the soul can choose again until it finds enough peace to remain in heaven. Now my belief behind heaven is complicated as well. Heaven is not a geographical location. It is a place where a soul chooses to remain. Everyone has a different heaven , although several can combine if it is desired. I also think that souls can visit one another in the different heavens.

The afterlife is complicated since no one really knows. Where do you think you will be in one thousand years?

Hope

I recently attended a field trip at school. The idea behind this trip was to connect students, mainly freshman and sophomores, to their peers around them. A group of students are chosen to participate in various activities that enable them to openly express their feelings in a comfortable setting. Out of respect for those involved I will not share exact details of what was shared but rather my experience.

I have participated in this project for the past two years as a anonymous guide for my fellow students. Currently I am a member of an organization known as The PEACE (Protecting Every Abused Child Everywhere) Project. Members like myself are invited to help the students around us be more comfortable and open to the day's activities. Our main objective is to give the students a comfortable place to discuss any issues that they may face.

The first year I participated in this activity I was very unsure what to expect. These students are the ones that sit behind me in class or a few tables away at lunch. I did not know if I would be able to open up to them. I was very wrong however.

Small groups were chosen and teachers were placed with each. In my group there was every type of person you could imagine. One student barely spoke a word while another would not stop talking. Some of my group members were open to the idea of sharing while another prematurely accused us of gossiping about what was said. As we answered the suggested questions, I was amazed to learn about those around me. The struggles faced by some were far worse than anything I have endured.

A year later I returned to participate again. This year, however, I came with expectations. My group participated and I was again amazed by what I heard. These are not random people I do not know but my peers whom I see everyday. I should help these people and appreciate them for they are all unique. Being kind is not something of shame but of wonder.

Hearing their extraordinary tales made me appreciate my own extraordinary life. The life I have is mine, not to be judged but to be lived by only me. My only desire is to live it for the better.