Image Prison

This is an essay I had to write for English as a sophmore. I really liked the subject because it was something on which I have a strong opinion. I had wanted to post it some time ago but never got around to it until now.


Picture a man standing in a room with the door locked, and outside of the room dwells opportunity and failure. While in the room, the man avoids the failure, but misses out on all of the opportunity. This hypothetical jail represents the man’s image which keeps him in a comfortable state with little room for taking chances that could help just as much as they could hurt. In today’s world, popular culture portrays image as everything. With a bad image, people face almost certain ridicule and scorn, but with a good image, success lies just ahead because image becomes the mental picture, either conscious or subconscious, which people create of each other. This image forms a set of actions and attitudes which people begin to expect to seem in one another. As a result, people imprison themselves to the point where they no longer do what they want to do, but instead do what others except them to do. Thus, people should not need to actively care and focus on their image because doing so inhibits freedom and the ability to aspire to personal goals and dreams, regardless of what others may think.

At the most basic level, the person does not create image, but instead society and people surrounding that person formulate the picture. In fact, the individual’s only impact on their own image involves the possibility of influencing surrounding peers. Thus, pursuing image truly becomes a waste of money and, more importantly, time. After putting loads of effort into rituals and practices to keep up appearance, society may simply reject the image as insufficient which would make all the previous work pointless and useless. Of course, society could receive the image well, but that involves a lot to chance. People should focus more on what they can control and less on what they can only influence because what people control will inevitably have influence, even if not intended. Once an individual stops concentrating on appearance, more important and controllable aspects of life will move into focus and eventually influence image and others without the individual ever trying to accomplish such.

This concept of people creating an image without trying leads to a very important point. Image just happens; people don’t need to try to create it because it naturally results from their actions and character. However, when people do try to create an image instead of just letting it happen, they often try to present a false picture that can hurt relationships that go past the superficial level. Imagine finding out that a best friend known since childhood as loyal, trustworthy, kind, and caring actually talks badly about friends when they’re not present in order to impress others and only became friends with people in order to use them to “move up the social ladder.” Such a discovery would destroy any relationship and results from the false image created by the friend. Of course, the possibility remains that the image created by people actually reflects their true selves, but, as stated before, people create such an image without needing to care about it because it just happens. Lying never contributed to healthy, lasting relationships, and creating a false image inevitably has the same results.

Considering how trying to create an image can lead to hurting loved ones, then why do so many people care so much about their image? The reason lies in the fact that image has its greatest impact in regards to affecting acquaintances more than close relatives and friends, and many people get this twisted idea that the former peoples’ opinions matter more than those of the latter. Image only exists on the superficial level which people see of each other during brief interactions, and close relationships do not rely on this weak outer shell of an individual but instead on the true, inner, and unmasked characteristics of that individual. The people whose opinions should really matter in life base their judgments off of much more than the outward appearance which image creates.

By far, the worst consequence due to caring about image relies on how doing so leaves little room for change on the part of those who care. Image takes on a constant, immovable life of its own because people get stuck trying to please others by keeping their image up instead of aspiring to their own dreams and leaving behind the fears related with no longer caring about image. Once people become comfortable with the picture of themselves which others see, they no longer want to go against that appearance for fear of the possible outcomes. As a result, the individual acts in accordance to what pleases society because caring about image results in creating a false image, and the individual creates that false image under the parameters of what will impress acquaintances, or society. After people get fixed in this never-ending want to please the world, they start living behind the walls of their image, created by those around them, instead of moving about freely to aspire to their goals.

Even with all of the aforementioned points considered, the truth still stands that image plays an important part in today’s world. It can make or break many opportunities and set up good first impressions. However, people do not need to actively care about their image to see these beneficial results. The true image which reflects the inner characteristics and personality of an individual does not require care because it develops on its own in the minds of the surrounding people. Caring about image only serves to create barriers between what people want to do and what the world tells them to do, and, when they stop caring about that image, they begin to make their own picture instead of having society paint it for them.

Living Life

it's been forever since i've posted anything on my blog. i guess i've just been too busy living life. within such a short amount of time so much has changed to the point where i'm not even sure what happened. so much to ponder over and so much to do and so many people to be with. up until the past few days i haven't had a moment to just sit without having to think about or do something. it's all been so crazy. but it has all been good.

my prayer is that God will guide my path. it's so hard to know what to do and so easy to make mistakes. it's also too easy to end up taking over the reigns and running the show on my own. but that never works out well. and so i pray that God will guide me.

Feeling Down...

some various thoughts/feelings of mine at the moment:


i feel like i keep coming to the same realizations over and over again despite how much my life continues to develop. i still think that one of my greatest blessings is also one of my greatest curses and i still feel as though i will forever be apart. i no longer feel alone, but i still feel apart. this may sound like whining, but i feel like people just don't understand me and very few take the time out to try and do so. i also feel torn between two different lives - which do i choose? it seems impossible for me to live both. once again, blessing and curse.

though i think i'm doing well overall, there are still times when i really miss Poppy. it's hard to believe it's been a year to this day that my life was forever changed. my memories are all good, i have no regrets or doubts about our relationship, and i know that i will never forget him or the lessons he taught me, but there are still moments where i just wish he was here. whenever i was feeling down, i knew i could count on him for his own special encouragment, strength, and love. he believed in me so much that he made me believe in myself. i would not be who i am today if it weren't for him. in many ways, he's still with me, but i still can't help but miss him sometimes...

The Hope of Nations

when asked why i believe God exists, one of my many responses (for the one that i am about to share is not my only reason) is that i cringe to think of a world in which God does not exist. when i respond thus, the logical connection for most is that my next point will depict a world of chaos and destruction, but that is not what i see. sure, it is possible that such a world could develop under such circumstances, but such a development is uncertain. instead, i assert that it would be a world lacking in true hope, purpose, and meaning. there are those who would argue that humans can create their own purpose and meaning, but what happens to that purpose and meaning when the humans who create it cease to exist? i assert that their purpose and meaning would die with them as they themselves would almost undoubtedly assert that their thoughts would die with them. to not believe in God means to not believe in a continuation of the human essence, or soul, and thus no continuation of the thoughts, ideas, and beliefs of the human. those same arguers may assert that if the purpose and meaning are passed on to subsequent generations, then they do not die with the humans that created them. they are correct to make such an assertion. however, what happens when the next generations cease to exist? it is foolish for anyone to believe that the physical human world will go on forever. both science and faith tell us that the world will end, so to say that humans will not physically exist forever is more than reasonable. believing in God means believing in that which will never end. furthermore, believing in God results in drawing purpose and meaning from that which will not die out with the one seeking purpose and meaning. Nor will it die out with the eventual death and end of subsequent generations. thus arrises hope. hope comes from a belief in something better. in a world with God, one can have belief in a meaning and purpose that are never-ending adn thus better than ones that do in fact end as would exist in a world without God. is seeking suck purpose, meaning, and hope a crutch? can't we just accept the fact that life is life, no more, no less? why bother believing in a god when the same tasks can be accomplished without the purpose, meaning, and hope that comes whith such belief? i assert that hope, purpose, and meaning are the driving forces which push humans to acheive, and, the greater hope, purpose, and meaning, the greater the achievement. why do humans strive for greater achievemnt? because they hope for a better future, because they have a purpose and meaning which push them toward that achievement. a world without God means a world without or, at best, with weak hope, meaning, and purpose that will inevitably cease to exist. In contrast, a world with God means a world with strong hope, meaning, and purpose that will not die out, thus resulting in greater achievement.

Story Time

on my recent mission trip to san fran (which was life-changing, much needed, and all around great), everyone told their "stories" to their small groups. i've had to tell my story once or twice before, and each time i usually talk about a specific part of my life, usually whatever is my big struggle at that moment in time. well, this time was no different, but i did notice something recently as i've thought back on the trip. although most people usually end up talking about their current problems at some point, a lot tell at least part of their life story leading up to the present. usually this "background information" includes events, be them positive or negative, which have shaped them into their current character and/or led to their current struggle. well, after arriving at this realization, it wasn't long before i jumped to the next one: i've never told my whole life story to anyone before. don't get me wrong, i've gotten very deep and been very open when i tell my different stories on the various trips, but i've never laid that foundation building up to my present troubles which so many others seem to create. after these realizations, i added a question to the mix - should i tell my "life story" and, if so, to whom? as simple as this sounds, it is a question that, as i'm typing, i realize i have asked myself countless times prior to this moment and as of yet i have not found the reason or what i suppose is courage to do so. nothing in my life is secret - as a collective entity, everyone knows what i've done and what i've gone through. however, as individuals, none of them knows everything. it's almost as if each has an incomplete timeline, with some being more complete than others. my immediate family (especially my mom) probably has the most detailed and extensive picture of me, but outside of that small circle i feel like everyone else has an incomplete view of my life. i understand that i shouldn't expect nor want everyone to know everything that i've gone through, but it came as a slight surprise when i realized that almost no one outside of my immediate family, not even my closest friends, has ever heard what major events in my life have led me up to and shaped me into my current state and i'm not even sure that my family knows it all (though my mom might).

so what do i do now? to be honest, i'm still not at all sure. really, the only change is that i now realize the full question i have been asking myself for so many years instead of just looking at a part of it. as with all great deliberations in my life, i will pray and wait for God to reveal the path or uncharted territory into which i must tread, but at least now i have realized the question for which i seek an answer.

Moody without a Motive

so i'm feeling kinda down right now and i have no idea why. maybe it's cause summer is coming to an end or because i miss san fran and being with everyone 24/7, but to be honest i really am not so sure why i'm feeling down. soccer tryouts went well today (coach didn't even show up!) and i spent almost all the rest of the day with friends from san fran so i have no idea why i'm sitting here feeling sad at the end of it all. then again, i get wierd at night (it's true, i get really wierd - often it's angry/agitated or depressed or loopy) and i know that i have those good old teenager mood swings every so often which are just so much fun. i think i'm gonna go to bed, a good night's sleep always seems to make me feel better - there's nothing like a fresh, brand new day.

Picture of Love

i would ask you to close your eyes during this, but then you wouldn't be able to read the instructions. so, try creating the images with your eyes open, or read each step, close your eyes, picture the image, open your eyes, go onto the next instruction, and move forward. ok, here we go.

1. think of the person you love most; they can be dead or alive. when i say love, i mean actual love, not a crush or infatuation, but true, you would do anything for them, love. if they are alive, good, if they are dead, i'm very sorry and ask that you would picture them alive.

2. think about why you love that person so much. take time to really put into words/thoughts what exactly caused you to care so much about another human.

3. now, remember your fondest memory involving this person. what makes that memory so fond? what did they do that made that event so memorable?

4. how much does this person know about you? how much of your life do/did you keep hidden from them? if you hid parts of your life, what moved you to do such? and how would the person respond if they knew about those parts of your life?

5. this is the final step and i really suggest trying to imagine this as best as you can. after having so much love for another human, what if they rejected you? what if suddenly they no longer cared about you, but only for themselves? how exactly would you feel? and what if you had to watch that person destroy themselves? despite all your love and best efforts, that person chooses to scorn you and take on a life that will inevitably result in their ruin and there's ultimately nothing you can do about it because free will allows them to make their own choices, be them good or bad. to put an image to this concept (this is rather gruesome, but it gets the point across), picture the person burning alive in front of your eyes. the one human being who you love most in the world is dying a horribly painful death while you watch. however, there is a giant pool of water right next to them, ready to douse the flames that engulf their body. you scream and yell and do everything within your power to get them to jump into the water, and they hear you, but they will not listen. you witnessed the death of the one person in the world who you cared about the most, and you can't help feel as though it all could have been prevented yet it couldn't have because in the end only we have the power to choose life or death for ourselves.

now i bet you're wondering why i asked you to go through this experience. it wasn't for my benefit, but instead hopefully for yours. go back to the second point. how many of those qualities do you see in yourself? i would think most of us would want to put to use those characteristics which we find admirable in others (especially the one person we love the most). the third point was to get you to get a clearer picture of the person in your head and to emphasize the reason for the second point. as for the fourth point, chances are that the parts of your life (if any) which you keep hidden from that person are those of which you are most ashamed. after all, if you love that person so much (and chances are they love you just as much because love grows off of love), then you must really be ashamed of what you did and afraid of what they would think of you if they knew. the reasons for the final point were to show how painful love can be, how we can only give love (and not take it), and how we ultimately only have control over ourselves.

on a more spiritual note, imagine that you are the love one, and that God is you. this really applies the most to the last point. the fire is sin and the water is the grace/life brought through Jesus. i don't consider myself to be a very 'preachy' person, so i won't really focus on the idea that God has provided for our salvation and it is up to us to accept or reject it. what i would like to bring attention to is how you felt when you pictured that scene. if you truly pictured it (and if you didn't i suggest you go back and do so), i imagine that you felt a great amount of pain. if only your love one would have just jumped in the water like you so fervently tried to get them to do! well think about how God feels when you reject His love. what you felt was probably only a fraction of how God feels. please don't think i'm trying to guilt you into anything, that's really not how i function. i simply wanted to share something i found interesting; a glimpse of what i firmly believe to be the feelings of the Almighty in regards to the sins of humankind. of course we can never actually 'put ourselves in God's shoes', but it i don't think it hurts to at least try to understand that which is impossible to fully understand.