[0623]

ПОМОГИТЕ ПОЖАЙЛУСТА!!!!!... если не лень конечно, ОЧ НУЖНО.

Мне надо выбрать из трёх моих сочинений с прошлого года, вот самых три лучших на мой вгляд. Мне и эти не нравяться, но если с чего выбирать то надо одно выбрать. Помогите, какое на ваш взгляд лучше? Спасиб заранее...

Вот, не самые лучшие но всё же...

1.In Pursuit of Happiness



Every individual attempts to reach it in life, philosophers of all times dispute over it in their arguments; however no one is really able to distinguish the exact meaning of it: happiness. I often wonder what it takes to uncover happiness and when it emerged into this world. I look around and I realize that none of the people I am surrounded by are truly happy. It makes me question the implication of happiness and if such actually exists. I do not know what I am required to do or not do in order to feel true and sincere happiness, but I am willing to find out, because it is my major goal in life. I am desperately looking for a recipe for happiness, if such is present. If I look and trace the word back hundreds of years ago it might uncover the ancient secrets of happiness and help me expose the answers to questions that settled in my mind: when does one feel happy, or is happiness just another illusory concept created by wishful society? Is my dream to just be happy a reality or a childish fantasy? Arming myself with a notebook, a pencil and a pile of dictionaries, I begin my journey for the pursuit of happiness.

I questioned my friends about the matter of happiness and the most general response to a question “what is happiness” was “a feeling of contentment”. Today’s most commonly accepted dictionary definition of happiness is “emotions experienced when in a state of well-being” and “state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy”. Nowadays happiness is associated with emotions due to a joyful event; however the definition is so vague that it is nearly impossible to understand what it takes to discover happiness. By the book definition, it could be triggered by a something as a small as a heart warming event to something as big as a life long achievement. The current definition of the word reflects our society and its values, seeing that we often over dramatize our actions.

The word “happiness” has gone through an extended progression throughout centuries. The word “happiness” itself can be traced back to as far away as thirteenth century. Its original roots as well as meanings, some of which are far beyond our understanding of happiness, can be discovered in various European languages. The root “hap”, or in other tongues “haep”, founded its beginnings in several languages. In Old Slavonic, it implied fitting, convenient, or orderly, which appeared from a Czeck consequence “fate”. Earlier findings of this root were in thirteenth century, in Lazamon, where the word meant chance, luck, event or good fortune. “Haep” might have been used in a situation of one winning a game or even flourishing in their love life. Another quite similar definition of this word can be uncovered in fourteenth century Old Norse, where “haep” was a common word for luck. In Old Danish, “happe” represented “by chance”. The root of the word “happiness” as we know it today, comes from the Old English "hap", which just means "something that happens". Old English also used “hap” for chance and good luck, while the verb “hap” meant to happen and to chance. Following those definitions, I question if happiness should be looked for or if it something that comes to one “by chance”. Few years later, in colloquial Middle English language, “happy” was used as an adjective to describe someone who is obsessed by or quick to use the item indicated. About the same time “happy” was given to portray someone slightly drunk, as well as an absolute opposite - pleasing. A strange association of alcohol with happiness existed all through out Middle Ages. Some words used with combination of happy signified “inclined to use excessively”, which can be related back to alcohol. As those roots from various languages evolved and progressed, a word “happinesse” was brought to life. The implications were similar to those of its roots: good fortune or luck in life or in a particular affair as well as success and prosperity. The word then advanced to indicate what is quite similar to our current definition: “a state of pleasurable content of mind, which results from success or the attainment of what is considered good” as well as “successful or felicitous aptitude, fitness, suitability, or appropriate”. In “Othello”, another one of Shakespeare’s masterpieces, Othello gives his own brief definition of spur of the moment happiness when he exclaims: “I am not sorry neither: I'ld have thee live; / For, in my sense, 'tis happiness to die”. In that particular explanation, happiness for Othello is death, which is exceptionally unfamiliar to us.

I believe that happiness is greatly unappreciated in our society today as well as in the past. While to many happiness is just spur of the moment event that lasts for a short period of time, most likely “triggered” by a good grade or just a convenient purchase of some sort, to me happiness is so much more. My definition of “happiness” is that it is like love, something we all want but cannot always know. It is an ideal, the perfection of which we cannot realize. Happiness is something I strive for, something I wake up every morning and live my life for. Happiness to me is eternal and I just wish I could find it to be one of those few who truly know the meaning of it. The relatively recent implication of the now day word “happiness” might not yet have evolved to its full capacity. Only seven centuries have passed since the root “haep” appeared, in seven more the true potential of the word would be discovered and may be then we would know what happiness really is.

Through past few centuries the definition of happiness has evolved to match the society and the way of living. It fluctuated between being drunk, luck and up to the current meaning of strong blissful emotions. Unfortunately, my search did not open any secrets. None of the definitions that I’ve come upon are close to my own visualization of happiness; however I’ve also realized that neither of them are wrong. I hope that in the future “happiness” would be taken as a more serious concept and that its definition would actually give a response to a subject that so many of us yearn to know: “what is happiness?”







2.Pride



Life’s a roller coaster, with its ups and downs. People fail, and other times they succeed. Those times when they, or someone they care for, accomplish something, they feel joy and the great satisfaction of pride for what they did. While pride is considered a natural feeling for something one completed, others argue that it is in fact the source of evil and one of the seven deadly sins. Various religious individuals dispute that pride was the reason that certain angels were abolished from Heaven, fallen angels. It is believed that they were overcome with pride which based a motive for them to believe in their “superiority” over God. However, they were not filled with pride, as pride is in no way arrogance, nor is it feeling above or superior to others. Pride is genuine feeling of inner fulfillment, a positive reaction to one’s achievements as well as a satisfaction and pleasure taken in one’s accomplishments. Someone enclosing pride has a sense of one’s dignity and value. Pride brings a sense of self-respect for being who you are.

At some point in life, everyone reaches at least one goal – whether it is obtaining an excellent score on a test or finally being able to step into that top school. Those times, when work and accomplishment of goals pays of, heart and soul are filled with pride. The realization that all the work done has finally paid off and that exact satisfaction that you feel inside is pride. The perfect examples of pride establish their roots in kid’s early childhood. All those times when a teacher praises students for successfully completing an assignment, the little hearts joyfully fill with their first bits of pride. Pride influences them to work harder then before and to perform better than others in order to receive those encouraging words again. It gradually sets their new dreams and provides fresh and unique goals.

Pride is an encouraging value, as it brings out and highlights the most effective qualities in a person. It helps an individual to recognize his or her value in society and find a purpose in life. Occasional encouragements from peers, relatives and more importantly superiors, whether it is a teacher or a boss, lead to an awareness of one’s value which is then followed by pride. Some might associate pride with arrogance and conceit, however the meanings of those two words differ quite a bit. Pride is a good quality that inspires more positive values. Arrogance and conceit, on the other hand, are both qualities that emphasize overconfidence, superiority as well as egoism. Many may feel intimidated by people who exhibit this attitude, however pride often attracts people.

Pride has an immense power over people; it can unite or separate millions of those who have self respect for themselves, their ancestors and their backgrounds in general. The national pride brings together people that are proud to be a part of their country. In the tragic event of September 11th, millions of people came together to support each other with slogans such as “I am an American” and “I am proud to be an American”. People of the country came to respect themselves for being citizens of this country, even though the nation was a victim of the shocking attacks. On the other hand, national pride can be two-faced, as Charles Caleb Colton said: “There is this paradox in pride--it makes some men ridiculous, but prevents others from becoming so. “ In a situation of two nations filled with prideful people colliding, pride might blind each one of them and the consequences can be unpredictable.

Various people percept pride differently, that is why it is important for one and all to know the true value and definition of this word. Some are ashamed of the feeling pride, because it is the sin from which all others arise, while others boldly announce their accomplishments. The diverse views on pride lead to different family morals and ideals. Some families, especially religious, prohibit extensive pride in their homes, whereas others support or even urge their kids to strive for appraisal and pride.

Pride is a positive feeling; however, the consequences of it bring together both appalling and exceptional events. Pride pursues our most tremendous moments as well as emerges in society as a whole after world wide tragedies. Pride separates friends along with uniting millions. If misused, the word “pride”, might result in false accusations as well as family feuds. Pride can bring happiness as well as cause anger between two people of even groups of people. Its power is unimaginable and its definition may vary depending on the circumstances. What is true to all the definitions of pride, is that, it is not eternal, or as William Shakespeare said in “King Richard ii”: “Pride must have a fall.”



3. Language Inflation



English is an incredibly beautiful and widely used language. Some of the most magnificent literature pieces were written in this language. However, the modern generation is not able to take full advantage of all aspects of English language, and in doing so, they deteriorate it and depreciate its absolute value. People change meanings and use words and expressions for the wrong purposes. It comes to a point where everyone is so used to it, that people are doing it uncontrollably everyday. English language is inflating and that is greatly affecting everyone, as people pay for it ethically and socially.

English inflation thrives, causing social issues. People seem to start getting into a habit of limiting their vocabulary and forgetting about the words that are not particularly used anymore. If before, people could come up with numerous variations of words to describe a pretty girls, now most will consent on two similar words. It gives an impression that by using only few of their favorite words they are dealing with fewer words, thus making their conversations less clear and precise. The regrettable process of language inflation is seen as time goes by. No one is going to waste their time trying to explain their feeling or situation using descriptive language and imagery, they would rather make it quick and short using only they everyday language. Thus miscommunicating, leaving out what could be the important parts and just plainly overseeing the best choice. Unfortunately, no one pays attention to those “unseen” problems.

More often, people are getting into a habit of overstating what we call small things, therefore they must do the same to the large things. Otherwise, they would appear small by comparison. However, that goes against ethics and at time contradicts istesl. When a word “incredible” is used to describe shoes, there are no appropriate words left to use when one stumbles upon falling in love or visiting Paris. In that case, a word more descriptive than “incredible” will have to be used, as to not make shoes and Paris equivalent. That leads to an erroneous use of language, not only that, it might even cause some uncomfortable situations, especially if a person unfamiliar to the English language is present. People might assume that the word means one thing, when really it is mean for a different intention or for exaggeration.

Advertising, marketing and promotion companies are the main source of language inflation. They want to make people buy the product that they are advertising and presenting to the public, however they do not consider the morals. In most cases, they only confuse, or even lie to their potential customers. Furthermore, when all “challengers” in a given market use superlatives, they leave the idea of relative judgment with self-contradictory or completely worthless. If, for example, all toothpaste companies announce superlative products, then, in comparison to each other, all their products are equivalent and neither is superior, therefore defeating their statement in the first place. None can differentiate between some of the products of McDonald’s and the Burger King, when their sizes and prices are all identical and no considerable distinction exists in their tastes. Not only advertisers compete between different companies, but also within their own product. Advertising exaggerates things, each saying that their product is better than before, better than other, superlative or just plainly the best. In so doing no matter how they have advertised their “old” product, their new one is better. If they previously said that their older product was “God’s gift” to people, then in result they have just confessed that their old product was not what they said it was, for if it were better it would not have been improved. Every year car companies advertise their automobiles, presenting the “best car”, “best deals” in history with the best warranties possible. However, next year they come up with a new model, a new price, and a new warranty, still claiming that that is the best deal one will ever find. If it were so, then they just established the fact, that they lied to the public either the first or the second time. Indeed, by following such advertising path, companies insult the intelligence of every possible consumer that bought their product when it were “older”. Moreover, misleading their consumers once again. Someone said “what is the difference between unethical and ethical advertising? Unethical advertising uses falsehoods to deceive the public; ethical advertising uses truth to deceive the public”, both of them use language inflation. In return, people pick up those language habits and use them in their everyday life.

English language gets more and more “inflated”, stimulated by advertising and media, exaggerated, misunderstood, fueled by mass animosity, or pure craving to make an impression. Masses communicate using wrong vocabulary, which harms them ethically and socially. People must see the damage done to them, and eventually to the language. By contributing to the language inflation, people put themselves in often uncomfortable situations, but most importantly they lower their standards and gradually assist the English language in losing its purpose and beauty.