John Morris
Professor Shepherd
English Composition I
One who allows everyone and everything around him to have a major influence on himself will have no means of living except for conforming to what others want him to be. Those who are not affected by what other people think will be creative, able to shape their own life, and able to form their own ideas and opinions. There may be good influences in the world one lives in, but even specifically following each and every idea or piece of advice from any influence, good or bad, will not make one an individual when all is said and done. Also, if one chooses to do good, he must not just be doing it for personal gain; there must be a heartfelt purpose of helping others.
I have read over John Stuart Mill's quote many times now, and it has become one of my favorite quotes of all time. I know from experience that what he has stated is true. At one time I tried to conform to what everyone around me wanted me to be because I wanted to be accepted, but this did not make me feel any better about myself. It was only when I decided to be only the person that I am and want to be that I began to feel a great amount of self-esteem. As a bonus, I also gained more friends than I did when I tried to fit everyone's visions of me. One can find true joy as long as they act like the person they were created to be, expressing their own ideas, acting the way they are meant to act as long as it doesn't have a negative effect on the world around them.
This class has been very helpful to myself as a writer. All criticism, both through peer review and final essay grades, has helped me to develop my skills and become a more competent writer. I really don't know what I would change about this class; I have really enjoyed this last quarter, and I have set up my schedule to be in English Composition II with Professor Shepherd again during the Winter Quarter.
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