Prompt: Choose an issue of importance to you-the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope-and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.
My issue is, happiness in America.
What is happiness? What does it mean for someone to be content with their life as it is? At what point does the line between the pursuit of happiness and the seven deadly sins become blurred? These questions have always been of great interest to me because from the day that you are born this idea of 'happiness' is instantly drilled straight into your brain.
But is happiness the same general idea for everybody? In Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness" his idea of happiness, however controversial it may be, involves "Feeling' lit feeling' like two A.M. summer night". So does this mean that the frequent use of a certain controlled substance, particularly late on a summer night, will lead to the immediate satisfaction of happiness? I guess that would explain the dedication and vigor behind the campaigners of Proposition 19. in California.
When asked what we want out of life, I'm sure this questioned has been asked to you at one point or another, the simplistic answer given 99% of the time is: to be happy. Now taking a closer look at this question I'll ask one of my own. Does this mean that 99% of people, by people I mean the regular working class citizen, have not yet attained happiness? Possibly, or that the particular person in question didn't have time or care to go into any specifics, myself included.
You may notice that with this particular topic I have included quite an abundance of questions, this isn't because I am trying to get myself prepared for law school or debate class. It is because so far, throughout the coarse of human existence, there has never been a decreed answer to this universal question, "What is happiness?", and personally I believe that was what was really going through the minds of people when they were asked what they wanted in life. In fact, if more than their personal image was at stake, the more realistic answer most of them would have replied with would be "to be filthy rich". Now don't take that with the hint that I am labeling every human being as a covetous pig, just making observations.
So back to Kid Cudi, is he really happy from 'lighting it up on a summer night'? No he is happy because he is filthy rich and he has the resources to not only delve into these activities, but the omnipotent facade of fame that says he can talk about it on a record and get away with it, however this isn't an essay about the corruption in our media so lets get back to the topic.
A study at Princeton University found that in the majority of America's population not having enough money caused emotional pain and unhappiness. But the happiness tipping point is about $75,000 - more money than that doesn't make a person cheerier, though it can help people view their lives as successful or better. So is this magic number the cure to all your sadness and problems? Tell that to the eight and nine year old children at the St. Jude Children's Hospital suffering from various terminal illnesses and lets see how that rocks your world. For these children their happiness involves being to wake up and see their friends and family the next morning and not having to worry about the next day, a trait that many of us could learn from.
So once again, what is happiness? Happiness is an emotion. So is sadness, love, hate, curiosity, revulsion, excitement, jealousy, contentment,depression, anxiety, fear, guilt and anger. All emotions have causes, causes which can be understood and controlled. Basically, happiness is what we make it, there is no strict definition. If you are happy living in a cardboard box under a bridge in the rain more power to you. Happy living as the regular working class citizen? Go for it. Kid Cudi was right when he said "That Shines Ain't Always Gonna Be Gold" because no matter if it is gold, silver, or platinum you need to embrace it for what it is and make it your own. Life is short, we don't get second tries, and in the immortal words of Bob Marley, "Don't worry, be happy."
Looking for any advice, tips, anything. Looking to get into UT/A&M.
At what point does the line between the pursuit of happiness and the seven deadly sins become blurred?
This is an interesting theme. You want to know when the pursuit of happiness becomes sin...
but... you do not mention sin after that, anywhere in the essay! Maybe you should continue this theme or remove it from the intro.
Also, I feel that your intro paragraph is missing a sentence at the end. At the end of that first para, I am wondering what the main truth is going to be that you express.
personally I believe I think this is always a weak choice of words, but you might not agree...
You may notice that with ...Now don't take that ...-----All this instruction to the reader can be sort of "off putting" to some. This is not supposed to be a lecture you are giving. It is supposed to be a humble, focused essay. So.. also, do not be so casual here:
So back to Kid Cudi, Is Kid Cudi really happy from 'lighting it up on a summer night'?
immortal words of Bob Marley, "Don't worry, be happy." -----I thought this was Bobby Mcferrin! But I could be wrong...
:-)
