My age is the same as that of April dear's. My gender is the same as that of Duncan's. I would not hesitate to say that I am unlike either, and perhaps this change in perspective will prove to be of utmost interest to our esteemed readers. Given that, let me proceed to discuss a rather touchy topic. Or topics. Either or. I might write about one, perhaps two.
Prom is an interesting thing for high schoolers. It gives us a chance to socialize, and for socially inept people such as myself, well, that is not something to take lightly. However, I find it for whatever reason somewhat difficult to find a date. Well, you might ask, why is that so? Perhaps that can be attributed to my own fault, whether it be a personality that doesn't rub well with others, or a general state of hideousness that inherently causes those of the other gender to flinch and flee from my presence. I would like to imagine that neither is the case, as well, I do not believe I am possessed of either a remarkably awful personality or a malevolent and disgusting outward appearance, though I am quite sure my ex would beg to differ on both accounts. That being said, let us continue. Yes, I do wish to go to prom, so long as the particular girl I wish to go with is able and willing to go with me. Yes, April, you do not need to yell at me for not going. Because I fully intend to go, so long as that happens. Of course, the situation is somewhat muddled and complicated, but I hold no rancor or resentment towards the girl or the other person involved. Things just don't work out sometimes. But why do we, collectively as high schoolers, mostly anyway, yearn to go to prom? It is a confusing and oft perplexing question. Having given you, dear reader, somewhat of a backdrop to my situation and perspective, let us delve deeper.
I have been told that prom is an American tradition of sorts, one that should be followed and upheld. Perhaps, but I believe it to be far simpler. It is a more formal occasion for socializing, as I have mentioned. It is every girl's dream to go to prom and see what it's all about, and whatnot, as April has told me. However, and I speak solely for myself, I do not believe I would like to go, except if I were to go with a girl I liked, or at least could bear the company of, since well, for me, it is nice to spend time around someone I enjoy spending time around.
Let's talk about something of more personal importance to myself. Would you say that people deserve second chances in a relationship? If one goes bad, and the person genuinely changes, would he or she deserve a second chance? I believe so. People make mistakes, they change, and they grow older and wiser, to some degree. It is perhaps one of the most painful experiences to know that you are different, changed, better, and not be given a second chance. To realize that your mistake, however impossible for you to make again, has resulted in consequences permanent and definite, with no real hope for redemption. Despite this, for whatever reason, it is often hard for us to give those who deserve a second chance a second chance. We question whether they are fully changed, or truly different. We remember their past mistakes, the ones they made that were so hurtful and painful to us. But I believe that to forgive takes true character, something more than the average person is capable of. To give someone a real second chance, to wipe of the slate completely, is something truly remarkable. It takes good judgment, strong conviction, and ultimately, great faith to do so. On a personal level, I have made a tremendous number of mistakes, all of which hurt someone I cared about. These mistakes have helped me grow as a person, maturing into someone I believe to be truly different. I would not hesitate to say that the me of today is not the same as the me of even two months ago. The past two months has seen in me tremendous change and upheaval, a permanent shift in character that really is only possible because of the mistakes I have made. Mistakes are meant to be made, and with that, I believe we are meant to forgive, but not necessarily forget the pain we have felt from them. While we cannot forget that pain, we should also realize that those mistakes, however hurtful, are ones we too can make, and ones that often make us better people in the end. Those who make mistakes, and freely admit to it and change as a result, are definitely worthy of our forgiveness. We are meant to forgive those who hurt us, and in doing so, we recognize that people are capable of growth and development in character.
I appreciate that you have read this far. My thoughts are not worth much, but there they are.
I bid you good day.
12 comments:
hmmm, i love this blog.
guest contributor, i've been thinking about many of the same things as you have, with regards to prom. i think that if I don't go, I may regret it the rest of my life, so if I don't go, I need to be doing something equally as memorable while doing said not-going. This would be, as I see it, bungee jumping.
But the other things you said too, I've thought them. And it's interesting (and relieving) to hear that I'm not alone in that.
Bungee jumping.
i feel lonely about being the only person that comments on this blog :(
I guess other people have better things to do than me.
Sara, more people should comment. Keep leading the revolution...or blog readers.
This PDO is in need of more guest contributors. Seriously guys, we want your input! Write whatever you want about anything (with decent relevance to the blog theme) and email it. It can be long, short, stupid, awesome, bashing, thrashing, hating, loving, whatever.
and Guest Contributor,
nice job on a stylistically unique post with an interesting point of view.
I think everyone should go to prom, unless they are determined to not have a good time. Then I don't want them there. But it makes me sad when people say they don't want to go. I think it's an awesome excuse to get dressed up and party ALL night.
Since prom has been discussed and I don't care much about that I won't comment on that; however, I think the rest of what you wrote is completely in correct. And although this may offend, you are wrong...Perhaps I should write a response post instead of just a comment...
I think that you would do well to remember that forgiving doesn't necessarily mean forgetting.
I think you would do well to realize that things are not always written about what they appear to be written about.
Arrogance is unbecoming.
I think that you would do well to remember that in the context of this post forgiving meant giving a second chance. And as a result since I think that second chances are not deserved, since if you really cared you wouldn't screw up the first time, I don't think they should get a second chance. So in the writer's sense, I don't think that he should be forgiven. (Or if the author was a female, she). I think you would also do well to realize that things may sometimes be what they are quite obviously written about as well.
Stupidity is not very becoming either. Probably less becoming than arrogance...
I disagree with mr (or miss) anonymous. People make mistakes, people learn and grow. I know I am not the same person I was a few months ago... I've gained a whole new perspective, and added meaning to so many things.
Second chances are definitely difficult, but it is possible for a person to change for the better.
If you go through such a change you'll understand why.
Yeah, people can change if they make a mistake once, or twice. Not repeatedly though. If they make the same mistake say 50 times I don't think they can actually change. Cause they had to know it was a mistake when they were making it. I mean you can't do something wrong that many times and not know it was wrong.
As for second chances, if someone wronged someone say 50 times or so then I don't think that person should give them a second chance.
Then if someone makes the same mistake that many times and not realize that it was wrong, then they can't just some time notice that they were wrong and truly change.
Wrong is based on a point of reference and so for one person something might not seem wrong, especially if there is never any discussion of wrongness of anything.
But, in my opinion, forgiveness is always the better option, animosity just breeds more of the same where forgiveness can lead to at least a neutral solution.
Intense.
I'd like to point out that I believe the anonymous commenters are not all one person. In case you missed it.
And while I agree with some of the points made by these anonymous commenters, I'd have to agree wholeheartedly with Duncan.
And that forgiving does not equal forgetting -- that is a very valid point and I agree with that as well. I think people have the right to judge whether or not an action is forgettable, but forgiveness is part of the healing process. Not forgiving is only a burden.
Okay Duncan, but what if there is discussion of wrongness every time that person does what they do, so that it becomes very very clear that the person is doing something wrong? Is it not wrong them. If someone says that someone can not do something and they still do that something is it wrong then? Cause I certainly believe that it is.
Well Duncan you can have your opinion if you want, but I was speaking towards forgiving with the intent of repairing the situation. Because in the situation I mentioned last post, then it would not be good for the person that was wronged, it could be a very terrible situation...
Yeah April is right, in this instance, cause there was one comment not by me...
Forgiveness can be healing, but not everything can just be healed and get better. I can think of a few instances where forgiveness can not occur. Not everything can just be healed so everyone can be happy again April, some wrongs can't be undone. How is not forgiving burdensome, you can just decide never to associate with that person again, that doesn't really make a burden...
Animosity may just breed more of the same, but I would just like to say, that asking for forgiveness isn't just saying hey can you forgive me, its actually changing, and like I already mentioned I believe...Some people don't change. I mean if you are a terrible person you will always be terrible...So I disagree with both of you.
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