Fate.

Fate, the ability to control one’s future, is a common theme amongst songs and novels and is also a common and controversial topic in conversations around the world. The idea that people by nature have free will, as carm.net puts it – “freedom of self determination and action independent of external causes” – is a very popular belief. Perhaps equally popular; however, is the opposite belief, that people do not have free will at all. Illustrated by the Hermetic Philosophy Glossary: “All there is is Consciousness, there is absolutely no free will; everything is God’s will, the impersonal functions of Consciousness, manifesting as destiny, individual or otherwise; decisions have to be made so one makes them as if there is free will – the result is God’s Will.” Both sides have powerful arguments, and neither side can prove that they speak the truth.

            Slaughterhouse-Five and Forrest Gump both convey the idea that human will isn’t completely free. Slaughterhouse-Five argues that the book of life has already been written and that humans just exist on the page of today unable to foresee the pages to come and unable to change them. Forrest Gump implies that there are multiple hallways to go down, but in the end they all lead to the same place and that the only things that humans can change are the paths from major event to major event.

Evidence of the “pro-fate, lack of free will” outlook is easily evident in the quotes scattered throughout both works. Perhaps the most famous fate-related quote is found in Forrest Gump: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” This quote is both very similar and very different to the outlook in Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five. In Slaughterhouse-Five, the Tralfamadorians are the authority on fate. They let Billy Pilgrim know what the truth is: that the future is going to be how it’s going to be, and there’s nothing that Billy, or anyone can do about it. The future, past and present are all happening at the same time, and since the future wasn’t changed, it can’t be changed. These outlooks are essentially the same, but are surprisingly different if dissected. If there were absolutely no free choice at all, as the Tralfamadorians would promote, choosing a specific chocolate out of the box would not be a possibility because choosing exercises free will. Both outlooks have the end result the same: eating chocolate, or getting to the end result. To apply the box of chocolates analogy further: in Forrest Gump, it doesn’t matter what choices are made, i.e.; which chocolate is chosen, because the same end result will always be achieved, i.e.; eating chocolate. In Slaughterhouse-Five, choosing to do things differently is impossible, i.e.; picking a different chocolate, and obviously, the ending will be the same, i.e.; eating chocolate.

Comparing the feather in Forrest Gump to the ‘Poo-tee-weet’ by the bird at the beginning and end of Billy’s story yields similar results. The feather in Forrest Gump can float and twist any which way that the wind takes it, and it will always get to where it needs to be, but Slaughterhouse-Five’s birds will always say exactly ‘Poo-tee-weet’ at the same time, at the same place, and in the same pitch. The idea of the end result being destined shines with both the feather and the birds, but the ability for the pathways leading to destiny is only evident with the feather.

Forrest himself agrees with the analysis presented in the previous paragraphs, and he says so. “I don’t know if Momma was right or if, if it’s Lieutenant Dan. I don’t know if we each have a destiny, or If we’re all just floating around accidental like on a breeze, but I, I think maybe its both. Maybe both is happening at the same time.” Maybe it’s both happening at the same time – the ability to choose ones own path to get to where one must be. Agrees with the box of chocolates quote. Agrees with the feather. Partially agrees with Slaughterhouse-Five. They’re similar in that, they both recognize that free will is not present in every aspect of life, and they’re different in that Forrest Gump gives more power to the people – suggesting that people do indeed have some free will.

Is the future set in stone? Can it be changed? The answer depends on who gets asked, but Forrest Gump and Slaughterhouse-Five agree on one thing – that some things are indeed set in stone, and will always happen. Be it, eating chocolate or floating around in the wind people will always be where their destiny needs them to be. Can humans choose which doorways to go through, even if all them lead to the same place? Forrest Gump says yes, Slaughterhouse-Five says no.

The argument over the truth about fate, destiny and free will shall likely be an endless war because there is no way to know if choices can be made to change the would-be future. Is it possible to influence the future? Or maybe just change how to get from A to B? Or does nothing change at all regardless of the choices that are made? The truth is unknown, but there will always be great novels and song as well as persuasive arguments on every side of this volatile topic.

Will You Take the Effort to Cook at Home?

Will You Take the Effort to Cook at Home?

            Anyone enjoys dinner out on the town – whether it is fast food or at a fine restaurant. The stresses of our fast-paced lives make eating out an easy, convenient, and trouble-free alternative. However, does this mean that cooking at home is more demanding and less convenient than going out?  Indeed, eating at home might take some effort, but is it worth such effort? Absolutely! Food is essential to the growth of our bodies and to function in the everyday world. Without food, we would ultimately die from lack of nutrition. By reforming the way we approach food and getting a better glimpse at the positive side-effects of cooking at home, we can improve the hectic aspects of our daily lives. A study by Iowa State University stated: “A simple [home-cooked] meal, eaten with others while sharing conversation is worth more than the most elaborately prepared meal” at any restaurant. Cooking at home provides many more advantages than eating out. Taking the time to prepare a meal for your family will be beneficial to you in more ways than one. Obviously, saving money and time is the primary reason. However, there are additional, more subtle benefits. By eliminating eating out you can gain advantages to cooking at home and take you one step closer to improving your overall life.

            Over the years, cooking at home has proved over and over that it saves money and time that could be spent on more important matters. Iowa State University states eating out requires you to pay for your food as well as the service provided by your waiter. This adds up extremely fast if you go out as a family. Restaurants and fast food chains that buy the ingredients and provide the service have to sell their product for more so they can make a profit after paying all their expenses.  Staying at home provides you with the option of cheaper ingredients and subtracts the money needed to pay for your service. You are your service. When you cook at home, you usually cook in large quantites which produce leftovers. Leftovers serve two purposes: saving you money by stretching your dollar into not one meal, but two meals and saving you time the next day by not having to prepare another meal. Leftovers wait for you in the refrigerator calling your name, just begging to be reheated. Time is definitely a factor when preparing and eating food. Most people want to eat their food as fast as possible to focus their attention on other things they deem more important. Sitting in a restaurant twiddling your fingers while someone prepares your food is a big waste of time. By replacing eating out with cooking at home you can cut your time spent on preparing food, therefore giving you more for other matters.

Promoting quality family time and communication is a big indicator that cooking at home is beneficial in terms of improving family ties. Although family time could be spent in a restaurant, the quality of the time is often not the same. For example, if you are constantly on the run and are always eating out, you are rushed at dinner and focus more on the moment than time with your loved ones. This highlights the lack of concern family members display after a long day of work or school when hearing personal stories, therefore causing tension and the further divide between one another. An article at MissouriFamilies.org states that it invokes “togetherness, communication, and learning”... It breaks the barrier put up between family members, giving them an opportunity to communicate their real feelings and reach a better understanding of one another as individuals and the role they play in the family. Whether it is cooking together, eating together, or cleaning up together, cooking at home gives you a chance to reconnect with your family. Cooking at home is an activity that the whole family can join in on. Each family member can discuss their day’s events while helping prepare the chicken for a nutritious stir-fry with vegetables or cutting the fish into filets for a protein-packed fish sandwich with a salad as the side-dish.

Supporting a healthy, nutritious lifestyle is another benefit that is credited to cooking at home.  Foods consumed at restaurants typically have a lot more calories, fat, and salt than food you have prepared at home. Concern is arisen due to the increase in these additives because they are considered detrimental to your life. An article in Frugal Living simply states: “If you can eat meals at home and adopt a healthier lifestyle, you are less likely to develop health conditions.”

Most restaurants offer portions that are two or three times the size and calorie intake our bodies need. When eating out, you are less likely to eat fresh vegetable or whole grains which are essential to the development and functioning of your body. Cooking your own meals at home allows you to have full control over the ingredients: the amount of fat added, how many vegetables are incorporated, and smaller portioned sizes giving you the opportunity to go back for seconds. This helps you to create healthier food options, in turn providing positive outcomes such as living a longer healthier life and having more energy in your everyday ventures.

            Cooking at home lowers health care costs, which may be a problem for many individuals around the world. People don’t have the money to pay for several visits to the doctor’s office because of lack of proper nutrition. When you eat out, you are pressured to clean your plate because you paid for it, but when you’re at home you can store your leftovers in the refrigerator. This eliminates the excess calories and reduces your temptation for other foods, consequently cutting down on your visits to the doctor. According to organization AARP, cooking at home helps reduce the risk of becoming obese, therefore decreasing the likelihood of developing “serious diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.” By developing these diseases you could pay thousands in health care and as a result take money away from other things like rent for your house or entertainment on the weekends. In addition, many servers promote dessert which most people would not normally eat in their own home. This can lead to high blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol scores. “Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese and that costs and estimated $117 billion in health bills” (AARP). Cooking at home provides more nutritious value and saves you from ruining your life by contracting terrible diseases related to the bad nutrition of eating out.

By cooking at home, you start to appreciate and savor your food more. When you cook at home you have the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful aromas emanating from your pots and pans on the stove top while having the added benefit of being able to eat it afterwards. By cooking food yourself, you begin to appreciate the time put into the food and enjoy it more overall. A sense of accomplishment is developed with every single heart-warming dish you create in your kitchen filled full of wonderful memories. As you cook a healthy nutritious meal in the comfort of your own home you tune into all the sensory stimulus of smell, sight, texture, temperature, and taste floating around your kitchen. By tuning into the stimulus you fully experience the process of cooking and become more satisfied in the end.  The act of preparing and cooking your own meals helps everyone who is involved appreciate and enjoy food. According to Cooksaid.com, “mindless munching” is a problem acquired through eating out. In today’s world it’s easy to fall into routine of eating out and participate in eating food without thought. Cooking at home helps you learn to savor your food and become more in tune to what you’re eating and the act of eating.

Having the ability to cook according to your tastes and allowing you the knowledge of knowing what you’re eating provides for another solid advantage of cooking at home instead of eating out. Do you ever get worried about who chooses the quality of your food, who cooks it, and how they do it? The kitchens in many restaurants are largely unseen to patrons and are behind closed doors. When you cook at home you are in charge, not some underpaid cook or so-called executive chef. You choose the ingredients and you determine your own cooking methods. It provides you with more flexibility by having the opportunity to omit ingredients you don’t like or add ingredients that you absolutely love. Journalist Joseph Devine states that cooking your own food at home alleviates any doubts as to what you are truly eating, in his article “The Benefits of Cooking Your Own Food”. Do you ever wonder about the sanitary practices of the restaurant? When you cook at home, you are responsible for the cleanliness of your kitchen.  At a restaurant, we have no idea who is behind the curtain: How do we know that the cook washes his hands?  How do we know if the dishwasher really washed that pot? You could get ill from eating a meal if the chef didn’t properly clean a cooking utensil. Even worse, it could be harmful to your health if you have a food allergy.

Yes, cooking at home requires effort. By reforming the way we approach food and getting a better glimpse at the positive side-effects of cooking at home, such effort can improve the quality of our lives. Besides saving same time and money, cooking and eating at home is healthier because we can control the amount of additives such as fat, sugar, and salt. It lowers health care costs because healthier eating reduces the risk of acquiring deadly ailments or diseases. It promotes family interaction and communication which enables us to build and maintain quality family relationships. It helps you savior food and appreciate your shopping and cooking efforts. And it alleviates concerns about how others may mishandle your food. All these benefits are important because they help you to appreciate cooking and provide positive outcomes in your life. In short, the choice is yours: Will you take the effort to cook at home?

Works Cited

"8 Benefits of Eating at Home – Other than Saving Money." Passive Family Income. Frugal Living, Web. 9 Nov 2009. <http://www.passivefamilyincome.com/2009/03/26/8-benfits-of-eating-at-home-other-than-saving-money/>.

"Eating Out, the Healthy Way ". AARP. Nov 9, 2009 <http://www.lifeclinic.com/fullpage.aspx? prid=529131&type=1>.

Devine, Jospeh. "The Benefits of Cooking Your Own Food ". ArtLib. November 9, 2009 <http://artilib.org/20002418-the-benefits-of-cooking-your-own-food.html>.

Forthun, Larry . "Family Nutrition: The Truth About Family Meals". University of Florida. November 9, 2009 <http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY1061>.

Lempert, Phil. "Is eating at home better for your health?." Today. 07/12/2006. Web.

9 Nov 2009. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16084487/>.

Leon, Kim. "Family Meals ". University of Missouri. November 9, 2009 <http://missouri families.org/features/parentingarticles/parenting2.htm>.

Marino, Martha. "Background: Research on Family Meals ". Washington State University. November 9, 2009 <http://nutrition.wsu.edu/ebet/background.html>.

"Public Health Scene ". University of Minnesota. November 9, 2009 <http://blog.lib. umn.edu/sphpod/news/2009/03/more_about_the_benefits_of_hom.html>.

Steiner, Patricia. "Eat at Home: It’s Inexpensive, Nutritious and Promotes Family Communication." Iowa State University - University Extension (2009): n. pag Web. 9 Nov 2009. <http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2009/aug/110601.htm>.

"The Benefits of Cooking Dinner at Home." Cooks Aid n. pag. Web. 9 Nov 2009. <http://www.cooksaid.com/articles.html>.

 

Love?

Love?
 

Love is the strangest emotion. It is the only emotion able to bring humans to both extremes of the emotional spectrum, from the tip of the tallest mountain to the bottom of the deepest cave. Haddaway, in their popular song “Baby Don't Hurt Me,” sings: “What is love. Oh baby, don't hurt me. Don't hurt me no more” (Haddaway). These lyrics go hand in hand with how Atwood portrays love in her poem “You Fit Into Me.” She uses vivid imagery of hooks and eyes to make the claim that love is both enduring and painful, both harsh and everlasting.

To fully understand how she can portray love in both a positive and negative light in only four lines requires a line by line dissection of the poem. The poem begins as a typical love poem, saying “You fit into me / like a hook into an eye” (Atwood 1-2). Obviously a reference to a button-type mechanism, it brings forth thoughts of two things that were made specifically to be together, to hold each other. These lines also evoke thoughts of that one special person for the reader—how perfect everything seems, how the two lovers feel as though they were meant for one another. The speaker is obviously profoundly in love with someone.

Or is she? After a line of whitespace Atwood drastically changes the image by saying “A fish hook / An open eye” (3-4). This causes a significant shift in image—from the lovey-dovey-two-things-that-were-meant-for-each-other to suddenly one of pain, anguish and probably lots of blood. The very thought of a human eye with a fish hook through it is enough to turn the food in stomachs of even the most battle hardened people. Atwood makes use of this shift in image to make a deep statement on the nature of love itself. She makes the point that any relationship, regardless of how perfect, can turn into pain.

The juxtaposition of these two very different statements on love, separated by whitespace implies that love has a beginning and love has an end. In the beginning the two lovers feel as though they were meant to hold each other for all of eternity. In the end, they’re stuck together as a fish hook is stuck in an eyeball. It was painful for the love to turn to that; however, it would probably be more painful to yank it out. This raises the age old question: “do I take it out or do I leave it in?” just as before any breakup it is wondered if it removing the “hook from the eye” is worth the pain of a breakup, or if living with the hook in the eye is something that can be dealt with. Of course, a very interesting aspect of the fish hook into the eye is that the removal of the hook would leave a horrible scar, just as a bad relationship can scar a heart.

Love really is the strangest emotion: it’s the only emotion that can go from a feeling of perfection to the feeling of immense pain. Atwood’s use of the hook/eye imagery in You Fit Into Me shows how one feeling can be both enduring and painful, and can be both harsh and everlasting. Everyone will likely, albeit unfortunately, experience this at one point in their life. Everyone will have that one bad relationship that they don’t want to let go of. Atwood doesn’t say if it’s better to let go, she leaves that decision up to the reader.