Ayumi Hamasaki

Each morning we wake up to a future that is about to happen but yet is out of reach by default, unpredictable by nature. Are we ever ready for what’s ahead? We try to keep up but are clumsy at best in being present with all that comes our way. A while back we buried a friend. He had been sick, but his death came sooner than expected. We were barely able to keep up with the harsh pace of his illness and still struggle with his passing. Around the same time, I found a little kitten on the street, not even two weeks old, thrown away with the garbage. A carefully planned day turned chaotic the moment I picked him up. Life is not a program we can schedule for. We cannot will away events once they have happened. But we can choose how we respond. We can walk away, close our eyes, or accept them at face value, without getting caught up in feelings and judgment. We can see them as transitional moments, an interlude between what was and what will be. We can also adopt an attitude of readiness. Approach life with curiosity and open eyes, willing to embrace all that life brings, not just the parts that suit our agenda. For me, the following ‘practices’ are helpful in this regard. Know who I am. Beneath the playing field of my life lies the truth of my life. Reality is nothing more, or less, than a momentary reflection. My core is my foundation, always there for me, even during the most challenging of times. From this place, I can respond to anything in a way that’s aligned with who I…

Who is Steve Harmon? On trial for involvement in a murder, is Steve Harmon, a 16 year old with African heritage. He is tried for being a lookout for a drugstore robbery that resulted in the murder of the store owner, Mr. Nesbitt. This particular trial is set in Manhattan in the novel written by Walter Dean Myers, Monster. Many people’s first impression of Steve is a typical teenager capable of making foolish decisions. However, some believe that Steve is a conscious young adult who is aware of…

Life is filled with love and happiness, but every so often tragedy strikes. Tragedy can cease happiness to those affected, and it can completely alter one’s life as they know it. Tragedy can come in many forms such as death, sickness and natural disaster. In the novel The Unknown Americans Cristina Henriquez uses the characterization of Alma and Arturo to highlight the struggles a relationship can suffer after tragedy. In their case, their daughter suffered a life changing brain injury, and as…

Mom. Someone who has been there since the beginning. A best friend. Hair braider. PB&J maker. At this early point of my life this is how I viewed my mom. I was 11 years old, a new student, attending a catholic elementary school. It was a completely different environment for me. Considering the fact I was the only student in the entire building of my ethnicity, making friends was not easy, it had never been. I always came to my mom for advice and comfort, and somehow she would make all my worries…

It was a cold Friday evening when I left Seneca. I was really stressed and exhausted from the past few weeks. I decided to drop by the local pub on Yonge Street and grab a few bottles of beer before heading home. I went inside the pub and sat down at the bar. While drinking my first bottle of the night, an old man in his 60’s sat stool beside me. He reminded me of my grandpa, so I decide to greet him. He greeted me back. He asked for my name, and I likewise for his name. His named was Dick…

Love Languages Having that one friend you can count on no matter what is a special thing, that not everyone is fortunate enough to experience. Abby and me have been friends since my freshman year, and have a strong affinity for each other. We met in gymnastics, and instantly clicked. We have been inseparable since. Our friendship isn’t perfect, we have dialectal conflict just like anyone else, but we will always fight to overcome it. The fact that we share three of the same love languages, has…

As we go through life, we have many experiences that become pivotal and defining moments, moments that shape us into who we are today and even cause us to change our attitude or perspective on life itself. Two of the most defining experiences in my life happened around the same time, sophomore year. My life changed so much just within the course of a few months. One of these signature moments in my life was a happy one, the other, the worst thing I’ve ever had to go through. There are two days…

“Come on Mike Mitochondria you're slacking!” In Membrane Stadium, the Cells were losing to the Pathogens 4-1 with only fifteen minutes remaining in the game. Coach Nucleus, the brains of this whole team, had to think of something quick or they will lose. Unfortunately, their star player was hurt because of an illegal slide tackle. The game stopped and the Assistant Coach, Mr. Vacuole gave some water to the players. After the penalty kick, they were still down 4-2 with thirteen minutes left. The…

IN THE BRIEF MOMENTS FOLLOWING HIS DEATH, Senator Donald Welt was sure of one thing, he was dead. That much he knew for certain. But there were other things he didn’t know of course. The small things, the details. Who had shot him? Why had they shot him? What was next? That final question seemed most pressing for the time being, a question he claimed to know the answer to throughout his entire political career. It’s so easy for the living to talk about death, but for the dead it was no laughing…

Anish Singhal 17364 1. I often closed myself to God, doubting his ability when experiencing pain and suffering. Whenever I would be going through a dark moment in my life, I would often blame God for not loving me. Kairos helped me discover the truth of God, showing me that bad things are when we need God the most and must not doubt His plan. Always thought that since I turned myself off to God, God would do the same. Kairos showed me that God never turns His back on us. In my life, God is a…