Dying to Live or Living to Die
Somewhere in this world, there is probably a seedling growing in some crack on some rock that knows nothing about how or why it came to be; it just is. The seedling has the potential to become a great tree, but it will forever stay bound by that rock because it cannot get up to seek a better life. So there it stays, year after year, until a thousand years have passed. During that time, the great pine tree has seen civilizations rise and fall, and millions if not billions, of living things, have come and gone. In this world, everything eventually dies, but nothing ever lives to die. Everything lives for the chance of a better life. The tree spent a thousand years reaching for more sunlight and soil, though it will never be able to grow beyond its boundaries. You are different; you can grow beyond your boundaries. You are dying to live because you have hope that someday you will free yourself from your rock and grow to your full potential.
In the story, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, by Mark Haddon, the character Christopher is afraid to do things that aren't in his daily routine. He didn't like change; Christopher found comfort in practicality and knowing the outcomes. Until one day, he had enough of his father. The ramification is Christopher wants to live with his mother, and because of this, it results in a trip that changes Christopher's outlook on life forever. When Christopher gets to the train station, there is everything he doesn't like: crowds of people, new environments, and everyone talking at once. As a result, Christopher has a mental breakdown on his journey by himself. He then meets a police officer; he confides in him and asks how to buy a train ticket. The officer thought he was joking at first but did not judge Christopher for his inability to buy his ticket. Although the officer found Christopher strange, he did not judge him because he knew his brain worked differently. After finally getting his train ticket and making it to London, he, at last, made it home to his mother. Christopher gains the most confidence in himself and his ability to act independently. Just like the seedling that grew into something independent and powerful- Christopher did too. Everyone that knows Christopher would predict that he would never make it on a journey as big as this on his own, for even I had some doubt. Although many of Christopher's characteristics make him different, it does not make him incapable or retracts him from going through with something. Because he accomplished this huge journey on his own, he no longer will Christopher have others act for him because he can act for himself now. His different working brain may result in some minor setbacks and make things more difficult, but his grueling yet successful experience altered his character for the better completely. Compared to the pine tree, Christopher sets himself free and proves...
