Living a deliberate life

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Living a Deliberate Life
In the twenty-first century society is living a life where individuals are often too busy to reflect on life, and its true meaning. People are often submerged in unimportant things. What is living deliberately? If, Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), transcendentalist essayist, were alive today, and he asked me if I am living like he suggests, I would have to answer, no. I think it is nearly impossible with all these new technological advances in the modern world today. Thoreau tells us, “The nation itself with all its so called internal improvements, which bye the way are all external and superficial…” Living deliberately means to simplify and value the important things in life.
People need to contribute time to important causes like community service, and volunteer work. On a few occasions, I volunteered at a food pantry, and it was a very humble, and valuable experience for me, an experience I will never forget. It was heart breaking to see all the people in need that are lacking the most essential things in life, like food. There were people waiting in line for about two hours before we even opened the door, just to obtain a number. I could hear people talking in line, while I was packaging the canned goods, and perishables. When the other volunteers opened the door, and started calling out numbers, then we proceeded to hand them their bag of food, they had this forever grateful look in their eyes. It was like the gratitude in their eyes pierced, and warmed my heart at the same time. It was a bitter sweet moment, and to hear it over, and over, was overwhelming. And on the other hand, there are other people in America, that the stress of their day is trying to choose the latest model IPHONE, or automobi...

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...ough to let me take care of her. Being there for them makes me feel blessed. Therefore, people should not take the little things for granted, because we do not know what the future holds.
Getting out more, and enjoying nature should be a priority in life. Hearing the birds sing early in the morning, smelling the orange blossoms in the spring, or taking a walk on the beach. Furthermore, taking a moment in time to look up at the sky, and take a deep breath, and admire all the beauty that nature has to offer. Enjoying valuable time with loved ones, like watching your child play the sport that they love the most, and see them smile while having a good time. Not letting any distractions interfere, like mobile phones, internet or social media. “Living deliberately” has a different meaning for everybody. Whatever that meaning is, embrace it and live a life with purpose.

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