Sunday, August 22, 2010
Apology
To those who are wondering if I am planning to post again or answer the comment on my last post, please forgive my temporary negligence. I greatly appreciate those who have followed or commented so far, and I don't intend to leave you hanging much longer. I've been busy preparing for the school year. Please check back in about a week. Thank you!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Valkyrie
I recently watched the movie Valkyrie and ended it in silent tears. For those of you who haven't seen the film, it deals with World War II Germany and some of the heroes who tried to put an end to Hitler's horrific government. The men and women who orchestrated this assassination attempt were German. They loved their country and died defending it. But they died, and Hitler lived on after them.
A question lingered in my mind as the credits rolled. Was it worth it? Most would say these heroes were unsuccessful. Yes, they gave their lives for a cause they believed in, but they failed to remove Hitler from power. The enemy of Germany and the world triumphed over them. It wasn't right. It wasn't fair. Was it worth their lives? I believe it was.
One of my favorite quotes from the movie was spoken by Major-General Henning von Tresckow (Kenneth Branagh) as he tried to persuade Colonel Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) to join what might have become a revolution. He said, "We have to show the world that not all of us are like him. Otherwise, this will always be Hitler's Germany." I don't know how true to history the film is or if Tresckow ever spoke those words. However, his cinematic representation certainly made a point.
Did these German revolutionaries succeed, then? They did. They did because today I am inspired by their courage. They succeeded because true heroes never die, even if they are not as well-remembered as they deserve, and they succeeded because the country they loved is doubtless stronger and freer today than it would have been without them. And the truth I take away from their tale is that if we live well enough that we inspire others to live similarly, it matters not whether we succeed or fail in our own plans; we have won victory for good. Hitler's triumph, like any triumph of evil, was not permanent.
I'd appreciate your thoughts and opinions on this. Do you see things the way I do, or do you disagree? Were the heroes of Operation Valkyrie successful? Was it worth their lives? Help me think about this topic from fresh angles. Thank you!
A question lingered in my mind as the credits rolled. Was it worth it? Most would say these heroes were unsuccessful. Yes, they gave their lives for a cause they believed in, but they failed to remove Hitler from power. The enemy of Germany and the world triumphed over them. It wasn't right. It wasn't fair. Was it worth their lives? I believe it was.
One of my favorite quotes from the movie was spoken by Major-General Henning von Tresckow (Kenneth Branagh) as he tried to persuade Colonel Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) to join what might have become a revolution. He said, "We have to show the world that not all of us are like him. Otherwise, this will always be Hitler's Germany." I don't know how true to history the film is or if Tresckow ever spoke those words. However, his cinematic representation certainly made a point.
Did these German revolutionaries succeed, then? They did. They did because today I am inspired by their courage. They succeeded because true heroes never die, even if they are not as well-remembered as they deserve, and they succeeded because the country they loved is doubtless stronger and freer today than it would have been without them. And the truth I take away from their tale is that if we live well enough that we inspire others to live similarly, it matters not whether we succeed or fail in our own plans; we have won victory for good. Hitler's triumph, like any triumph of evil, was not permanent.
I'd appreciate your thoughts and opinions on this. Do you see things the way I do, or do you disagree? Were the heroes of Operation Valkyrie successful? Was it worth their lives? Help me think about this topic from fresh angles. Thank you!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Intro to Life
Hello, world. My name is Jordan Kelly, and I've decided to start a blog. I believe that life is a learning experience no classroom could contain. Here I will attempt to enhance my life and yours through the written word.
I have many hopes for this blog, the simplest of these being the growth of discipline. I want to live life to the fullest and create something new every day, but I have never stuck to that goal as firmly as I should with my writing. Perhaps this will help me, but my overall goal is much broader and less centered on myself. I wish to chronicle the quest of life - a series of hopes, dreams, questions, and points where who a person is meets who she can be and she decides which of those people will live.
I myself will play the protagonist. I will tell of life as I see it and describe the paths I walk and their effects on me; the people I meet and what I learn from them; the battles I fight, the weapons I use, and the injuries I sustain; and perhaps most importantly the havens along the way where I find wisdom, peace, and love. I invite you to join in this tale by sharing your own stories, opinions, questions, and even criticisms. During our journey together, we will interact with inspiration, intellect, hope, and truth. We will explore the battle between good and evil. We will meet strong opinions. Hopefully most of us will greet them with respect for their bearers even if we cannot respect the opinions borne. However, I am well aware that some have never learned such respect, and I will face these people without fear or anger when they appear. If you feel you can do the same, please join me. If not, I do not mind standing alone once in awhile.
This is my quest - to become who I can be instead of remaining who I am. I share the quest with you for your benefit and mine. Please challenge me, question me, encourage me, criticize me, heal me, wound me, rebuke me, respect me, love me, and hate me as you will, on one condition: come with me!
I have many hopes for this blog, the simplest of these being the growth of discipline. I want to live life to the fullest and create something new every day, but I have never stuck to that goal as firmly as I should with my writing. Perhaps this will help me, but my overall goal is much broader and less centered on myself. I wish to chronicle the quest of life - a series of hopes, dreams, questions, and points where who a person is meets who she can be and she decides which of those people will live.
I myself will play the protagonist. I will tell of life as I see it and describe the paths I walk and their effects on me; the people I meet and what I learn from them; the battles I fight, the weapons I use, and the injuries I sustain; and perhaps most importantly the havens along the way where I find wisdom, peace, and love. I invite you to join in this tale by sharing your own stories, opinions, questions, and even criticisms. During our journey together, we will interact with inspiration, intellect, hope, and truth. We will explore the battle between good and evil. We will meet strong opinions. Hopefully most of us will greet them with respect for their bearers even if we cannot respect the opinions borne. However, I am well aware that some have never learned such respect, and I will face these people without fear or anger when they appear. If you feel you can do the same, please join me. If not, I do not mind standing alone once in awhile.
This is my quest - to become who I can be instead of remaining who I am. I share the quest with you for your benefit and mine. Please challenge me, question me, encourage me, criticize me, heal me, wound me, rebuke me, respect me, love me, and hate me as you will, on one condition: come with me!
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