Jacy+Watson

Assignment #1 My Hero

Today, many heroes exist in our lives and continue to be discovered today. To Joseph Campbell heroes are, “someone who dedicates their life to something bigger than themselves; they achieve or accomplish something beyond the normal human range." Fitting the internal narrative pattern of a hero as well as Campbell’s description, Mahatma Gandhi is a suitable example who took a quest that changed history. Coming from a high caste in India as a well-educated lawyer, Gandhi became aware of this issue when he was kicked of a train in South Africa even though he had a valid ticket. It was then that he began a political movement called the Natal Indian Congress, which promoted his beliefs of non-violent acts of civil disobedience towards political injustice. He returned to India, and began to protest for political independence from the British. Gandhi went on non-violent strikes, boycotts, marches, and many other acts of civil disobedience towards the British. He had to overcome many challenges such as remaining peaceful to all the attacks against him, the many trials and prison sentences, the fasting to keep the public interest, and continuing to press British opposition. There are six known assassination attempts towards Gandhi with the sixth being his end. He proved himself over and over again by keeping his protests non-violent, using his jurisprudence to stay within the law, keeping faithful throughout his prison sentences, and continuing to gain followers and support. On one of his most successful journeys, The salt march, Gandhi and his followers were able to successfully protest the boycott of salt by travelling around 250 miles to collect salt off a beach, which lead the British to recognize his nationwide influence and negotiate with him. He won fame, support, and even some reforms such as aid for poverty and status granted to the untouchables, the chastised group of widows in Indian society. His efforts made strides for India's political independence.

Sources: [|__http://www.history.co.uk/biographies/mahatma-gandhi__]

Assignment #2 My Perfect World

__** Respect Is a Given- **__ __** The Government Runs for the People- **__
 * We give everyone just the simple respect of being a human- We don't talk behind their backs as if they are in the room, we quit judging people for our differences because not everything that crosses our mind has to be said or believed, and we treat everyone like a friend (if you hate them that much then just stay away from them).
 * We want people to respect us- We try to be trustworthy and responsible, we actually try to be proud of everything we give to people, we act like decent people, and we do good things even when others are not watching.
 * __ Competition Runs the World- __**
 * We use positive competition instead of negative competition (jealousy, greed, trickery, and selfishness) to shape the workforce and make sure that hard work gets rewarded.
 * In college, the people with the highest grades get to work for the best companies. When you do good work, you get rewarded like a promotion or a raise.
 * Income is a representative of a persons effort. If a homeless man can do a better job then a high school dropout, then he should get the job. Everyone gets a fair chance as long as they promote themselves and keep their word.
 * Best idea wins-no matter if it was a six year old kid or a professional who suggested it.
 * Teachers and the military are paid more than celebrities and athletes, encouraging people to get a real job.
 * Only those who work hard have the opportunity to make a high income.
 * The government's decisions represent the ideas and interests of the people it serves. Somehow the citizens are able to have a greater say in the government and are able to make more decisions if need be.
 * Just like in Europe, the side that losses a lawsuit must pay for their opponents lawyers and any other expenses, so people cannot sue McDonalds for spilling coffee on themselves.
 * __ We Lost Our Fear of Failing- __**
 * Unless it is a practical fear (spiders, death, falling), than think of all the things we could accomplish if we didn't fear denial.
 * __ We Try To Consider Each Side of the Story- __**
 * We try to look inside someone else's argument or suggestion before we completely reject it. We try to find their reasoning so we can compromise and/or make better decisions.

All of this are things we can do in the real world-//**but it all starts with you**//.

[|www.someecards.com]

Assignment #3 Two Sided Gift

Just recently, my family has decided on adopting a new puppy, which has had both its ups and downs. Just as all puppies are, Charlotte is extremely high maintenance, loud, and in need of a few visits to dog school. She adds joy and happiness to our family, but not exactly with our other dog, Elsa, who is twelve years old and used to running the show. Elsa has gotten run into, her bed has been stolen, and sharing attention does not roll well with her. Tensions remain low but never less, exist; and are watched closely. Charlotte happens to jump, bite at your shoes, and jolt every-which way on a leash, and whine in her crate. As these issues seem common for a puppy, Charlotte does not keep these attributes at a minimum. Despite the trouble, Charlotte continues to make strides in training and adapting to her new home each day, and adds more than enough happiness to even out the count and tip the scales in her favor. We welcome Charlotte to our family, take the good with the bad- and regret nothing.

Assignment #4- The End of Childhood

Childhood is bound to end naturally, but the true loss comes with some realization or experience that causes the innocent mindset of a child to fade away.  As for me, the child's outlook began to weaken when I left my small, nurturing school where I had been since kindergarten and came to Woodward in the sixth grade. Since grades did not exist, I didn't recognize or know anyone, and the number of kids in the middle school alone out-numbered the total amount of kids where I came from, my first year at Woodward gave me a slight kick in the rear end- which joining the middle school basketball team on top of that didn't help much. I learned how the tedious grade system worked, and how to adjust to the unfamiliar and overwhelming settings of a place completely opposite than what I was used to. Pushed out of my comfort zone, I took the first step away from childhood. Entering the middle school was even worse, for the work load tripled and became even harder, grades meant more to me than my sleep, and I played two school sports instead of one, as well as in another league outside of school. For those who don't know, Woodward school sports mean practice four to five days a week from the end of tutorial to 5:45, games that may and likely will last even later, and a car-ride home in brutal Atlanta traffic. Let's add three plus hours of homework and other activities and here's my afternoon. Seventh grade was big leap from childhood. Eighth grade is a little easier, for I came back ready from seventh grade, a bit more independent, and less insistent on an A in every class. My growing ambitions for softball picked up the pace as I grew out of the league that just like my old school was a "twelve seasons with the same people" familiar, and joined a travel-team. With all of this, childhood has been wandering farther and farther from me. However, I still have a strong grasp on the few qualities of childhood I still dare to keep, such as an occasional spark of fearless tenacity and somewhat ignorance of a child to try again- unabashed and just as hard as the first time. Perhaps a spark of childhood kindles inside each of us- brought out from within us during our happiest moments, our biggest risks, our deepest faith, and our greatest mistakes. []

Assignment #5- The Flood

When the old earth cries out to the dark With one and final plea- For space to make its final mark From sea to shining sea

So night engulfs the sky And brings back earths humble start, Nature beats man and all shall die When technology is life’s heart

And this is the story of human’s fall But natural order prevails over all

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt

Assignment #6- Changes in our Stories

Change gives life wings- wings that bring about daily events in life, new mindsets and perspectives, and carry people through the surprises, growth, and situations of a human's life. Change drives static characters to become dynamic, improvements to be made thus progress in our world, and a purpose to act in life. Through the Myth maker stories, however, the metamorphosis of the characters and their worlds emphasize their imaginations dreams and nightmares of their life. King Midas exhibits this aspect of change through his choices and thoughts. When granted a wish, the greedy king wanted to show prosperity and authority through gold, thus, asking for the "golden touch." Still pompous even after his wish was removed, he was then punished by Apollo for his hubris with donkey ears. Embarrassed, he covered his ears and was afraid of anyone knowing about his ears. Such fears and dreams express metamorphosis, and why such changes occur.



http://www.stefanmart.de/13_midas/130e_midas.htm

Assignment #7- Changes in our World

The stages of life are some of the most significant changes humans experience. Especially as a natural and expected process of life, growing up can either be embraced or opposed usually based on which stage of life. Most children do not want to grow up. As teenagers, some anxiously await the freedom and changes that come with age, but some also fear the responsibility that also comes with age. During this stage, the dreams and the nightmares often clash to form two separate opinions. Freedom and starting your own life can be the double-edged sword, the good or evil, and the dream or nightmare. As humans pass through their middle ages and into their elderly stage, we can see once again the two sides of change- Either happily enjoying retirement and health care or fearing the loss of their independence or capabilities. Through life, we go through many changes that make us who we are and life what it is.



http://imgarcade.com/1/stages-of-life-painting/

Assignment #8- My Favorite Season of the Year

Throughout my life, the seasons that I always look forward to are the transition seasons- spring or fall- and though I favor spring, both seasons are loved for the same reason. As we see in the Myth makers, spring is the birth and the start of things, while summer is the playful youth that follows, and fall is more of a tranquil, relaxing time that to an archetype is middle age. Winter is the most relaxing time just as old age is, which can almost be a time of reflection, and spring then adds new life to the cycle. For in this cycle, the human year, nature must ease its way into the two equal and opposite constants- summer and winter. In the fall, the leaves change into a beautiful array of colors, the temperature steadily descends into its cold winter trough, crops yield their last assortment that help give fall its appeal, and the people habitually settle down for winter. Holidays bring families together in celebration and joy, and the trees put on their final show before they fall to the ground in a peaceful defeat. After the eventful, relaxing time of fall, the depressing, cold, and uneventful time of winter presides over the earth until its time is done. Then spring- cheery and beautiful spring- rises from the cold and frees us from the sorrows and bareness of winter. People come out of their homes once again, and natures art is restored to its full glory. Birds sing a song of birth and the promises the new earth will bring. Temperatures climb from the pit of winter and await the burst of summer. When summer hits, new energy is burned that was stored from spring as the children are released from schools grasp, and the freedom almost leads to a chaotic debacle of events as schedules struggle like sandcastles under the surge of sporting events, vacations, camps, and other plans. The heat of summer is then chilled by the breeze of fall and the cycle continues. Spring and fall are just like sunrise and sunset, for they both are the beautiful transition of two opposite constants like night and day. I happened to love and embrace such changes and all that both seasons bring to both the civil and natural world.

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/wheeloftheyear.htm


 * Assignment #9- Evaluation **


 * Analyzing and comparing the civilized and natural world, finding their parallels in order to answer the unknown, and revealing the truths behind human nature through cycles, the Myth makers unit helped us experience and understand the most simple yet the most complex subject of life. Through these stories, the archetypes, or cycles of life are identified and can be used to help cope with, understand, and anticipate the changes in our lives. For example, the loss of innocence explains how in life there is bound to be an end to the child-like state of mind. Understanding such times, especially as teenagers, could possibly help in addressing our fears or experiences, or even hold on to the desired aspects of childhood such as the lack of a self-conscious before it is too late. The value of the Golden Age and its fall to the iron age is also discussed, and such properties of the "Golden Age" can be taken to heart and put to use in daily life as the model lifestyle or positive influence. The archetype of the flood speaks of death, but then softens its troubling words with the promise for rebirth. Such stories prepare us for the end that is planned for our lives, and even can comfort us knowing that our generations will live on. It even can prove that the undesired lifestyle, or the wasteland, can be changed for the better if such evils are purged and new morals are introduced. When metamorphosis was explained as the imaginations expressions of the dreams and nightmares of our life, the reasons behind changes and decisions we make help us reflect on our decisions and understand these changes. In the song "A Hard Rains Gonna Fall," we learn that when we cannot change others actions, sometimes we can make a change if we keep our heads down and be the good that the situation lacks. In the story "Narcissus," we learn of the consequences of being too self-centered just as we learn about the troubles of greed in the story of "Midas." Just by learning the cycles of life, causes of issues and the evils in the world, we become that much more skilled in maneuvering around the world on our own. **

https://sagmind.wordpress.com/2014/08/07/astrological-archetypes/