Sthefani Ren

Persistence Of Desire by John Updike

Love Is Not Meant To Be Forced John Updike’s short story ‘The Persistence of Desire’ tells a story of a man named Clyde who returns to his hometown in Massachusets, for a doctor’s appointment, and while doing so he runs into his former lover Janet. Clyde is conflicted by his desire and his present life. ‘The Persistence of Desire’ is a story based on what could have been if Clyde had taken a different path. John Updike’s short story is written to introduce that love can not be forced and some things are best to be left behind. He achieves this justification by introducing Clyde the protagonist as a character who is dwelling on the past and as a person who desires someone who no longer feels the same affection for him.

Every day by David Levithan

Purpose Too many times we question ourselves and we ask what is our purpose? ‘Evey day’ by David Levithan explores an intriguing and beautiful soul that lives a different body every single day and a different life. This extraordinary soul goes by the name ‘A’ he lives every day with care and kindness. Everybody he encounters he adapts to their life and goes through the day by living the life of someone else. ‘A’ tries not to alter or interrupt anyone’s life until he meets Rhiannon the girl he is madly in love with. Levithan writes to us to explore the life of someone who must find purpose within every day passing by.

Our Sanctuary

Our Sanctuary Many children in the nations of this world call their schools homes because it is the only place they feel safe. Sometimes home is elsewhere in the comfort of others. Barry, author of “The Sanctuary Of School” writes about her experiences as a child as a seven-year-old who felt lost and alone when she arrived home where her parents were and felt at home with her classmates, teachers, crayons a place Barry felt she could express herself and be noticed by someone. Home can mean many things it can mean the warmth of others, a place, a person, an object it can mean anything that brings safety and carries us back home because among all things school was Barry’s sanctuary.

Who I am is enough

Monday Or Just You Don't change for anyone. You are beautiful just the way you are. And the independence you carry with you keep it with you, always. Because who you are is enough. Whatever you need to walk away from doing it. You are so much than the things that hold you back from loving who you are. There are no obstacles in being who you want to be. I know that you feel like you are falling deep bottom and there is no way of knowing what you will find underneath but I promise you it’s worth trying. I will be there for you. If you need me. If you are broken take yourself back home. And I want to help you do that. To set yourself free.

Where do we go from here?

Moving forward can be really challenging and heartbreaking but it can also be really liberating. If you are the girl who gave up all her friends to accomplish all your dreams I am with you. If you are the guy who left his girlfriend to put your career first I hear you. And if you are the girl who works her butt off day and night to make her dream come true I am most definitely with you. I know that you cry yourself to sleep when things are hard and nowhere feels safe, I know that your heart breaks when you see her picture on Instagram and she no longer talks to you. But can I say something? Everything and everyone you left behind you did it for you and that is not selfish. You said, "I choose me" and I am proud of you. It is a hard thing to do to choose yourself for the first time. Look at your doctor, lawyer, world traveler, journalist, the artist you did it. And it was all because of you because you ran wild you ran out of your comfort zone. And hear me out life gets really real and if you're the girl who wakes up excited over school registration right now I support you. In fact, I admire you. You know like they say, "do it big or not at all." And I don't want you to get the wrong impression here I want you to live up to these words fully and courageously like the butterfly.

Unity

Friends, now more than ever I hope we can come together as one. You matter. And you are perfect the way you are. Now, today, we have to change. And the world will only change as we change. You have the power to change your heart. Use your power for good. Use your voice. Friends, stand together. Do not let anyone define who you are or take away who you are. Members of the youth, be free. And wild free. You are our voice. You have the power. Parents and grandparents, please understand. This is a different generation. Please learn to adapt. Please learn to trust who we are. The new world we are building we want you to be apart of. Please don’t push us away. Always remember, together we are stronger.