First, family.
This week, I will be writing about expectations. Famed playwright William Shakespeare once said, “Expectation is the root of all heartache.” I wholeheartedly (haha, wholeheartedly) agree. In my opinion, expectations ruin relationships. Just assuming that another person will act a certain way constantly is unreasonable. For example, relying on someone to reply to your text in two minutes every time is not that bad if that is the kind of person they are. But once they just happen to take ten minutes instead, you feel ignored and lonely. Now, that example might sound dumb, but there are countless others. Goals, however, are an entirely different category. Setting goals for yourself and holding others accountable to their personal goals is a great habit. The difference between goals and expectations are that goals are flexible and forgiving, while expectations are set in stone.
One of the best ways to live a happy life is by setting regular goals for yourself. It will keep you on top of things, but not stressed. If someone starts to set unreasonable expectations for you, cut them out. Instead of constantly living under the watchful eye of expectations, relax and do your best without pressure. I am definitely not saying that you should not care at all. Caring about the world around you is vital. If you want to be truly happy, find a healthy balance between pressure and freedom. This way, you will not slack off, but you will not be anxious about what is to come.
This classic Greek myth tells the story of a young man named Jason and his search to restore his kingdom. Jason has the right to the kingdom, but the current king, Pelias, does not want to give up his power. Jason must go get the Golden Fleece in order to be crowned. He goes on an adventure with a group of demigods, encountering many challenges along the way. Once they reach the kingdom that hold the Golden Fleece, the princess falls in love with Jason and aids him along his journey. Princess Madea even kills her own brother and Pelias for Jason. Madea and Jason are madly in love throughout the story and have two sons together. Jason eventually becomes the king of Greece, but then pledges to marry another woman. Madea is outraged and sends her sons to kill Jason’s soon-to-be bride. She dies and Madea kills her sons because she thinks that they will never have a chance since they are murderers, and then she escapes.
Although the finger can be pointed at almost all of the characters in the story, I think that the tragic deaths in the end were Madea’s fault. She is the one who actually executed (no pun intended) them. Some people may say that Jason caused it because he was the one who forsake her, but it was ultimately Madea’s choice to murder. As it says in Mythology by Edith Hamilton, “I who gave them life will give them death.” (Hamilton 174). Madea made the physical decision to kill her sons, not Jason. I think that we all have the choice to make our own decisions. It is very easy to let others influence our choices, like Madea, but in the end, you are the only one that can make your choices.
Bring Honor to World Lit 