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__//Lynden Miller's Wiki Space//__ //After a recent class disussion on the concept of humanity and an inspiring video as a jump-off point, we were asked to come up with a paragraph of our own thoughts on the topic, along with a photograph to support our opinions. Below is my paragraph, followed by the photos I found on Flickr. There were quite a few that I found that took my breath away, and each of the ones I have chosen represent a different piece of my understanding of humanity and of course pieces of my writing. (Below each picture is a brief statement about why I chose it/ how it relates to my topic.) At the very end, I will include a link to a song that I absolutely love. this part wasn't required, but I think it goes with my interpretation of the topic, and I hope it adds a certain extra element to my work. I love any opporrtunity to see the world through someone else's eyes, camera lense, or music, especially on a philosophical topic such as this. So, enjoy!// To be human is to be compassionate yet selfish, beautiful yet ugly. Full of joy and despair, love and hatred, life and loss. While ‘Humanity’ is a concept exceptionally intricate and multi-faceted, one thing it is not: perfect. Being human, in the simplest way, is to have faults and imperfections, to make mistakes and to reclaim your humanity from your misguided actions. Through these negative experiences when we are at our lowest points of vulnerability and hurting often come our greatest strengths, our brightest moments. Among the horrors of our broken world, we cling to this ‘humanity’ within us, this presence that is rooted to our very souls. We are not alone in these endeavours; we have been given the ability to communicate and have relationships, a necessity of humanity. This is also a part of being human, summed up in the concept of ‘Ubuntu’ : “the only way for me to be human is for you to reflect it back for me.” Not only do we see our own humanity in others, we give the same back. When we struggle or when we shine, there is a need for a sense of community or a higher sense of belonging. Through the darkest days there is always a light; for every negative characteristic there is compassion. Often this silver lining is hidden; our job is to find it again through compassion and relationships amongst the difficulty.

[|Photo 1]//Aside from the fact that I am a sucker for B&W photography, this is a beautiful representation of the idea that through the darknesso f our lives, there is hope, that shining light at the end of the tunnel.//

[|Photo 2] //Sometimes we reach out for a hand to hold, or just something to hold on to, and our grip isn't rock solid. "Sometimes it is enough to know it will be difficult." Sometimes it is enough to know there is someone there.//

[|Photo 3] //Reaching to hold someone's hand is the simplest act of compassion and tenderness. It can be an apology or an affirmation or a celebration. This is a quiet example of those relationships that offer 'mirrors' of humanity.//

[|Song: I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Daeth Cab For Cutie] //I couldn't resist. I make playlists for just about everything, and this just seemed like a natural extension. I could have easily had 10 songs on here, but you don't have to be here all day. This song is full of beautiful metaphors, and while it is mostly about love, (still an important part of humanity) it is about taking a leap of faith. Through the darkness, there is hope. When you are lost and weak, seek and you will find.// 
 * |||| || || CATEGORY || 2 || 1.5 || 1 || 0 ||
 * Introduction (Organization) || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;"> The introduction is inviting, states the main topic and previews the structure of the discussion/blog. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">The introduction clearly states the main topic and previews the structure of the discussion/blog, but is not particularly inviting to the reader. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">The introduction states the main topic, but does not adequately preview the structure of the discussion/blog nor is it particularly inviting to the reader. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">There is no clear introduction of the main topic or structure of the discussion/blog. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Word Choice || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;"> Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, and the choice and placement of the words seems accurate, natural and not forced. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, but occasionally the words are used inaccurately or seem overdone. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer uses words that communicate clearly, but the writing lacks variety, punch or flair. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer uses a limited vocabulary that does not communicate strongly or capture the reader's interest. Jargon or cliches may be present and detract from the meaning. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Accuracy of Facts (Content) || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;"> All supportive facts are reported accurately. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Almost all supportive facts are reported accurately. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Most supportive facts are reported accurately. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">NO facts are reported OR most are inaccurately reported. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Sources (Content) || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">All sources used for quotes and facts are credible and cited correctly. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;"> All sources used for quotes and facts are credible and most are cited correctly. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Most sources used for quotes and facts are credible and cited correctly. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Many sources used for quotes and facts are less than credible (suspect) and/or are not cited correctly. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Grammar & Spelling (Conventions) || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;"> Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Focus on Topic (Content) || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;"> There is one clear, well-focused topic. Main idea stands out and is supported by detailed information. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Main idea is clear but the supporting information is general. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Main idea is somewhat clear but there is a need for more supporting information. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">The main idea is not clear. There is a seemingly random collection of information. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Sentence Length (Sentence Fluency) || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;"> Every paragraph has sentences that vary in length. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Almost all paragraphs have sentences that vary in length. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Some sentences vary in length. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Sentences rarely vary in length. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Transitions (Organization) || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;"> A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Transitions clearly show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">Some transitions work well; but connections between other ideas are fuzzy. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">The transitions between ideas are unclear or nonexistant. ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 11pt;">Conclusion (Organization) || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;"> The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader with a feeling that they understand what the writer is "getting at." || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">The conclusion is recognizable and ties up almost all the loose ends. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">The conclusion is recognizable, but does not tie up several loose ends. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: arial,verdana,tahoma; font-size: 9pt;">There is no clear conclusion, the discussion/blog just ends. ||

Beautifully written Lynden. Thanks for the extra links and media support.

17.5/18 <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">

Part Two-- What Is A Hero?

“The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of the heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.” –Helen Keller. This statement pays tribute to the fact that even the smallest act of compassion makes even the weakest and smallest of us heroes. Most heroes are not even recognized; they do not wish to be recognized as one or maybe they do not even realize they are one. The truest heroes, in my eyes, are humble people who share their humble vision with the world. People who see the opportunity in their everyday lives to make a difference for the better. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things at extraordinary times. They aren’t really so different from anyone else, no more brave or strong, simply persistent in their beliefs that they feel strongly enough about to act upon. “Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves.”- Carol Lynn Pearson. Through their acts of heroism, these heroes show true humanity in its purest form: selflessness, in turn holding up a mirror for us so that we to can become everyday heroes.