Learn and Take Control of Life by Professor Bert Lorenzo

Welcome to a new academic year. I love a new semester. I especially love the fall term. I get to start fresh as some say. I can try new ideas in my courses. I revamp old ones and I get to share my philosophy of education with a new group of students.

Part of my philosophy revolves around my love of independence. Like Thomas Jefferson I argue an education should give us the tools necessary to live free. We must learn how to argue our cause.

Below I outline a curriculum I recommend to students who want independence. Some of this you can learn in school. The rest you learn through interaction with intelligent people and through contemplation.

1. Study history. All events repeat themselves. Only the players change. If you know what happened in the past you can test current opinions and can safely predict the future. Only those ignorant of the past say we can’t predict the future.

2. Master language. We make sense of the world and reason with words. With limited language you have a limited ability to reason and understand why things happen as they do. Also those who have mastered language can manipulate you.

3. Understand economics. You can’t gain independence without financial freedom. To do this you must understand how money works. Study the lives of the financially independent and observe their habits. Reject the view that only a certain amount of money exists and as long as others have it you never will. With millions of millionaires in America why can’t you join them?

4. Reject group think. You lose your ability to reason and you make emotional decisions when you let groups think and conclude for you. Groups survive this way. The leaders feed off the individuals. Always think for yourself. Practice your independence. This also includes your actions.

5. Have intelligent friends. Nurture relationships with people smarter than you. You will learn something new everyday and will always develop your mind. Most intelligent people probably do many of the things on this list too. Education requires change. Those who fight new, better ideas and ways to live don’t really want an education. Don’t lament if you outgrow your current friends. Rejoice!

6. Develop a life philosophy. Decide how you want to live and what you want to do with your life. Don’t let others define you. This includes family, friends, celebrities or the latest fashion. Remember those who stand for nothing will fall for anything.

7. Cultivate a sense of proportion. You will think the future looks bleak if you listen to too much television news and gossip. We live better today than kings lived 100 years ago and the future looks even brighter. Those ignorant of the past don’t realize this.

8. Practice gratitude. Thousands of people make our lives possible. We owe a lot to people we will never meet. When you do get the chance to meet some of the people who make your freedom possible thank them. Also constantly remind yourself how good you have it. This has a very liberating effect. Those ignorant of economics don’t realize this.

9. Protect your physical and mental health. Many young people abuse their health. Once you lose it you lose your independence. Start early in life with exercise and a good diet. Reject all drugs and alcohol and poisons to the mind we get from television, film, music and other media. Develop a good relationship with a doctor and speak openly about how you feel.

I wish you a productive, safe new academic year. To all first time college students I say, “look out”. What seems like a long time away-graduation-will get here sooner than you realize. Time flies when you learn and live independently.

Copyright Bert Lorenzo, 2007

A Tribute to America by Yasmin Moses

We all recollected the tragedy that unfolded on September 11, 2001.
Our America the beautiful was altered.
What we as Americans can learn from this loss is…
“Live each day without measuring it”
“Live for today and not only for tomorrow “
Despite lows or highs …
Leave animosity alone.
Dream immense dreams…
Questions still remain in everyone’s heart.
Is this tragedy supposed to teach us?
Why does life throw cruelty our way?
Needless to say, tell your loved ones “I love you” everyday.
Most importantly keep moving forward.

The Achievement that Makes Us Immortal by Chris Lam

2007 North Campus

College Prep Writing Contest THIRD PLACE WINNER

What in this world of ours deserves the title of “Greatest Human Achievement?” Where can we even begin to contemplate the thought of our greatest achievement and most positive attribute to the human race? Some would perhaps say the automobile is the greatest human achievement for its way of transportation. Others would say the television or the Internet for helping them to escape their daily boredom. Then some would point to performing and visual arts because they are ways to express the inner creativity that is usually locked away inside. All of these contributions, without a doubt, are positive attributes to our society and fellow human beings, but are they truly the greatest human achievement? How can we judge what is our most positive attribute to our fellow brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers? Well, the answer to this question is really quite simple. Throughout all of time, there has been one key element to our existence. This “mystical virtue” inside all of us has lived throughout the past, and it has withstood and will withstand the test of time. That, which I believe is our greatest human achievement, is the strong and mysterious power inside of us known as Love. Yes, the ability to give, show and accept love, combined with the ability to create love when it is needed, is not only wonderful and amazing, but it is this which, I believe, is truly the greatest human achievement.

Have I lost my mind? Some of you might be thinking that I am a college student who has lost his mind over the legendary and infamous college stress; however, I am not kidding when I say love is our greatest human achievement. For one thing, love is our rock through our toughest storm. For example, we as human beings face a dark hour every once and a while. However, the element of love helps us find our way through our darkest hour. It is our guide. Love is always chipper, cheerful and gladsome. In our darkest hours, to hear, see and know that someone loves you brings a smile to any face. We may feel miserable and alone at times, but the simple fact of knowing that someone, a mother, father, brother, sister, boyfriend, girlfriend or a simple friend, loves you puts a joyous smile on your face and a wonderful warmth in your heart and soul.

The world can be cruel, but we must always remember that we are never alone in this performance called Life. In my own personal belief, a gorgeous angel of eternal love and beauty watches over us in our time of need. We may feel lonely at times, but it’s because of this angel’s eternal touch of grace, love and beauty that helps us make the right choices in life, gives us manners to be polite towards others and allows us to give and receive warm hugs. In life there will be times when the world is shrouded in darkness; however, that darkness is broken when the eternal lights of love given to us from another shine through the depths of despair. Yes, we all feel lost every now and again, but knowing that another human being bathes you in their love lights your path and makes life seem a little more bearable.

Certainly there are those who will say that the Pyramids, the Coliseum, and other monuments are the greatest human achievement. Others will point to cars, phones, trains, television, computers and other electronic devices claiming they deserve the title of the Greatest Human Achievement. Yes, all of these things are glorious and amazing inventions; however, none of these inventions have withstood or will be able to withstand the test of time. Other inventions such as the telephone, television, Internet and other modern day devices have made our lives easier, but like the Pyramids, none of the modern devices will be able to withstand the test of time. Love, however, is the eternal spring that was born in the beginning of time, and as such, will continue to live on long after we are gone. Many things have survived from ancient times; however, some of the greatest artifacts from that time are the tales of burning passionate love. King Tutankhamen and Queen Ankhesenamu of Egypt, Marc Anthony and Cleopatra of Rome, and Princess Kaguya and the Emperor of Japan are just some of the many couple whose tales of passionate love were legendary in the past and still read about in history and fairy tales books alike today.

Love is also infinite. As human beings we can make as much love as we want. Our love does not simply have to end with one person or creature. In our darkest hour, we can always make more love to fill our world with light. We as human beings may feel that in our day and age, love is a source that is slowly fading away, but as long as there is one drop of pure love in our world, it can grow and blossom into a beautiful, youthful and bountiful source of love that can fill this world with the love that it so desperately needs. We may be in the depths of chaos, destruction, death and despair now, but with the element of love on our side, that darkness will soon blossom into light. Love does change things, and when we have faith in its power, the darkness that surrounds our world will blossom into some glorious and beautiful.

This world of ours, run largely by technology, can be a dark place, and many may wonder how the word love even comes to mind in this modern day era. The answer to that question is quite simple being that love itself is our greatest human achievement. We will all face a time of darkness, and this darkness may seem deep and endless, but we must always remember that we are never alone. Even in our darkest hour, the element and beautiful infinite power of love will always guide us to safety. It’s bright and cheerful being makes us all smile in our darkest day. If we didn’t have this rare gift of love, then the world would truly be a dark place and that would be the end of it. Thankfully, we have love. It is this gift of love that makes us who we are, and it is what makes our world a bright and beautiful place to live in and raise our children and future generations to come. We have many contributions to our society, indeed, but it is because of our ability to love and to give love that makes us who we are as human beings. This attribute makes love our greatest human achievement, and it always will be for the beautiful future generations to come after us.