The Diary of A Young Girl

May 07, 2007 01:40

This summer, hoping to accomplish something more substantial than I have in previous years, I have set a few goals for myself - nothing to extravagant, just simple tasks to complete. As the reigning king of Daniel's unaccomplishments, my reading list has been growing since I came to Pitt and the time I devote to reading has dwindled in such a fashion that I thought the matter was hopeless. However, with some newfound motivation and inspiration, I have been truly experiencing life quite fully. I am happy to note that reading has, once again, taken a spot of prominence in my life.

Among the books I have decided to read this summer is one of my favorites - The Diary of A Young Girl: Anne Frank. I read this book several times in elementary school but, overwhelmed, had not truly read through it since. Tonight, sitting in a warm bath and enjoying the scents of some lovely candles, I began to re-read the painfully intimate memoires of a girl who lived through a time when fear was everywhere and hope was missing. She is known for her famous statement that "inspite of everything" good still exists within each human. I agree.

Casually devouring the text tonight, though, I found a quote which I find incredibly profound:

"Writing in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not only because I've never written anything before, but also because it seems to me that later on neither I nor anyone else will be interested in the musings of a thirteen year-old schoolgirl. Oh well, it doesn't matter. I feel like writing, and I have an even greater need to get things off my chest."

Probably the most well-known diary in the entire world was written by a girl who never thought anyone else would open its covers - let alone publish it worldwide. It was startling to realize that the smallest, most private things we do can have a massive impact on the world we live in.

On a far smaller, much more humble scale, I experienced something similar this weekend. After a long shopping trip, difficult people, a late bus, and some disappointments at the store, I was heading back to my neighborhood on a crowded bus. Bitter and increasingly unpleasant, most of my thoughts were venomous to say the least. Finding an open seat, I sat down next to the window. A few stops later, a gentleman sat down next to me, not saying much at first. Contrary to my normal pattern of behavior, I was not listening to my iPod, so the man struck up a conversation. We talked about everything from African American fashion in the 60's to gang violence today. Through his warm-hearted openness to a stranger and his thoughtful demeanor, he completely changed my mood. He probably thought he was just killing time by talking to some punk college kid who wasn't really listening. In fact, however, he cheered me up, renewed my outlook, and reminded me of how wonderful people really can be.

Anne Frank's diary was published and has inspired generations, something she could have never dreamed of. The kind gentleman on the bus, in an attempt to pass the time, gave me a mood boost and kept me from becoming brash and rude. You never know what kind of good you might accomplish by simply living your life. Keeping that in mind, it seems there is only one thing to do.

Live.

- Daniel

anne frank, l'espoir, la vie

Previous post Next post
Up