A Negative Potrayal of Curiosity?

The 2 myths Pandora, a Greek myth and Orphan boy, an African myth, warn us that curiosity can lead to change, both negative and positive. Examples of this are, when curiosity leads to Pandora to open the box, and causes humans to suffer. While in Orphan Boy the old man follows Kileken which unveils the Orphan Boy’s secret and the old man to undergo loneliness. Whereas the positive effect of curiosity was in Pandora when all the creatures shoot out of the box except for one, Hope, this is saying that there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and in Orphan boy the man realizes his mistake, realizes that sometimes you have to trust the person and bury your curiosity 6 feet under. Orphan Boy and Pandora are just 2 examples of myths that put a spotlight on curiosity, and its positive and negative effects.

Pandora Photo- http://pygar.deviantart.com/art/Pandora-115764837

Orphan Boy Photo- http://www.amazon.com/Orphan-Boy-Tololwa-M-Mollel/dp/0395720796#reader

Creation Myths. Similar or Different?

“Each time, storytellers clothed the naked body of the myth in their own traditions, so that listeners could relate more easily to its deeper meaning”- Joan D. Vinge. There are a number of common elements in all creation myths. Some elements are given more depth and are the main idea in a myth, while in other myths they are a sub theme or not at all mentioned. The explanation of natural phenomena, how the stars, moon, etc. were created, the cleansing of the earth, and human nature are just some of the most emphasized elements in creation myths. Both Pang Ku and the Norse myth mentioned how the creator sacrificed themselves to complete the Earth. This explains that natural phenomena is a common element in many creation myths. The cleansing of the Earth is another common factor included in creation myths. The Yoruban myth where a flood washed away the imperfect humans created by the gods and the Mayan myth where the gods conducted a flood sending all the humans they made away with the water, are just 2 example of myths that include the theme of cleansing. Another common building block in creation myths is the reasoning of human nature. In the Inca myth god carved out humans, and later realized that they were of no use. The gods in the Inca myth guided them through everyday chores. While in the Chinese myth, Pang Ku, the loss of the creator caused people to have pain and suffering in their lives. The explanation of natural phenomena, the cleansing of the Earth, and human behaviour are some of the, many common elements in creation myths. It astonishing how such different cultures, and countries so far apart from each other, have similar ideas. And as Joan D. Vinge said, different cultures have different values, and those values are added to creation myths, but the big picture is startlingly similar to all people.

Discovering My Name.

Mitsu, not complicated, just plain Mitsu, and so is the meaning light or honey/ nectar. How many of us go around every day and forget someone’s name (I know you have your hand up). We’ve all been in a situation where we meet someone whose name escapes us. “Hey, what’s up….buddy.” When we employ phrases like “hi buddy,” or “chief,” or “what’s up…big fella,” this hints the person that their name is forgotten. So is a name really that important…YES!, my name however can have both a disadvantage and an advantage. The story behind it just as simple. In India, before picking a name for the child, the parents have to ask a priest what the first letter of the child's name should be, after looking at the time and date of the baby's birth, the priest then draws out the letter. My parents knew someone named Mitsuie, so they decided to name me after her, playing around with the letter and ending up with Mitsu, and luckily the letter that the priest picked was M. That's all nothing special, in fact my parents didn't even know the meaning before they decided to name me. Of course they made a list, the names they chose were mostly lame, except for Mitsu which was the only Japanese name, or even the only one not Indian. My name feels like a bubble around me, its my own brand. Giving me an identity giving. Some parents keep names that may not be appropriate when they are adults, and the child thinks of changing them, for example my cousin. He changed his name more than 3 times in 2 years! I surely wouldn't do that. Hopefully. So there, the story behind my name. I love it, nothing could suit me better. It's unique, it's me, it's plain Mitsu.

Why the quote? Why the Picture?

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
-Lao Tzu

This quote and this picture tell me how we don’t even realize we have started on a journey, but that one step makes the big difference. This picture is a metaphor, showing how a baby takes its first step, it is unsteady and unsure but when it does come over the fear, it doesn't get tired of trying it again and again, and finally reaching his destination, leaping into its mother’s arms. I thought that this metaphor was powerful as it too shows the beginning of a journey, and connecting it back to the quote, that taking that first step, making that first decision is the most important. To me this quote tells me not to hesitate, take the first step, take the risk and before you know it the journey is set for you to take.