English 11
Final Journal Piece
by Michael Pratt
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” –Stephen R. Covey.
I believe this captures modern society in one sentence, especially society’s youth. We do not appreciate what other people have to say. We only want to hear what we like, and we want to force our opinions and beliefs on other people. If the other person has something important or meaningful to say, too bad for them; what I have to say is more important. But there’s a reason LISTEN and SILENT have the same letters. What we young people do not understand is that we can learn so many new and important things if we simply close our mouths, open our eyes and our ears and LISTEN. I am a very big talker, I know. I talk too much, and I annoy people. However, I also know when to listen. I am able to recognize when something someone is saying is important. Believe it or not, I actually do have an ‘Off’ switch.
Now, I’m going to go against everything I just wrote. Sometimes, it is better to be talkative, or to even know HOW to talk. I’ve won a Provincial Championship for public speaking (in French), so I know how to stand up and be confident and talk. Not everything I say is garbage. Sometimes, if there is stagnation in a conversation, there needs to be someone who can simply have the courage to talk and keep the conversation alive. So there are times when it is better to be a talker. Because if there are no talkers with wise and knowledgeable things to say, there will be no opportunities for people to be silent and listen.
Breanne Anderson
Nov 20, 2013
Blk: 3
Turf
Turf. Little black “pellets” composed of ground up retired tires that will no longer glide across the hard asphalt, day in day out. No longer the support of a family’s transportation. No longer able to pick up the adventurous rocks that roam the city streets and back roads, later sending them hurtling at top speeds on a mission to get somewhere new. No longer withstanding the abuse of weather that Mother Nature throws in its direction, from snow to hail to rain to sunshine.
Now, the black pellets are spread across a vast area to add cushion and bounce while exposed to all seasons. Although these pellets are no longer all weather tires, they still hold some of the same traits as they did previously.
Forget average transportation, these pellets are looking forward to a new life filled with adventure, never knowing where the end destination will be. Whether they travel with the aid of bags, shoes or simply get caught in your hair, these pellets know their way around. Ending up in places such as garages, wheel wells, beds, showers and washing machines. These little creatures see the light of day that no tire would ever experience.
Final Journal Piece
by Michael Pratt
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” –Stephen R. Covey.
I believe this captures modern society in one sentence, especially society’s youth. We do not appreciate what other people have to say. We only want to hear what we like, and we want to force our opinions and beliefs on other people. If the other person has something important or meaningful to say, too bad for them; what I have to say is more important. But there’s a reason LISTEN and SILENT have the same letters. What we young people do not understand is that we can learn so many new and important things if we simply close our mouths, open our eyes and our ears and LISTEN. I am a very big talker, I know. I talk too much, and I annoy people. However, I also know when to listen. I am able to recognize when something someone is saying is important. Believe it or not, I actually do have an ‘Off’ switch.
Now, I’m going to go against everything I just wrote. Sometimes, it is better to be talkative, or to even know HOW to talk. I’ve won a Provincial Championship for public speaking (in French), so I know how to stand up and be confident and talk. Not everything I say is garbage. Sometimes, if there is stagnation in a conversation, there needs to be someone who can simply have the courage to talk and keep the conversation alive. So there are times when it is better to be a talker. Because if there are no talkers with wise and knowledgeable things to say, there will be no opportunities for people to be silent and listen.
Breanne Anderson
Nov 20, 2013
Blk: 3
Turf
Turf. Little black “pellets” composed of ground up retired tires that will no longer glide across the hard asphalt, day in day out. No longer the support of a family’s transportation. No longer able to pick up the adventurous rocks that roam the city streets and back roads, later sending them hurtling at top speeds on a mission to get somewhere new. No longer withstanding the abuse of weather that Mother Nature throws in its direction, from snow to hail to rain to sunshine.
Now, the black pellets are spread across a vast area to add cushion and bounce while exposed to all seasons. Although these pellets are no longer all weather tires, they still hold some of the same traits as they did previously.
Forget average transportation, these pellets are looking forward to a new life filled with adventure, never knowing where the end destination will be. Whether they travel with the aid of bags, shoes or simply get caught in your hair, these pellets know their way around. Ending up in places such as garages, wheel wells, beds, showers and washing machines. These little creatures see the light of day that no tire would ever experience.