Rachel Ek

Rachel Ek
Ms. Padden
Eng. 11
21 May 2014
Trending Transcendentalism
I do not exhibit every trait of a transcendentalist, but I do enjoy nature and believe that individuality is important. I also tend to be more rational than emotional. One of my teachers was horrified to find I had left a person dying of the bubonic plague on the side of the road. Although this was only a mock situation for a World History assignment, I left the man alone because I decided it was best for my assigned family. I rationalized that since there were no cures for the plague at the time, the man was close to death, and my family was with me, I had better leave the man instead of expose my family. Exposing them to the plague would be almost definite death. I weighed my options and the man one the side of the road was left behind. Obviously, I may not react this way if it were a real situation, but the desensitization that I seem to experience with exposure to violent media left and right may account for some of my disassociation with the pain of the man in the hypothetical situation. So like the fiery Scarlet O’Hara, the need of survival or basic needs often exceeds emotional consequences for me.
That example shows my logical viewpoint, but the nuances of not conforming are not as black and white as being logical or emotional. Everyone conforms to a certain degree; if they do not, they are disciplined or out-casted. For example, I often am referred to as a “nerd.” Even though nerds are often quite successful in their endeavors, the connotation is a derogatory one. The flippant whispers of “nerd” that stream my way after I receive a higher grade are reminders that I am not one of them. For studying and trying on the assignment, I am ridiculed.
On the other hand, I would not mind being deemed a nerd if it is intertwined with someone who works hard, just as I do not mind being considered old-fashioned for not supporting abortions. In the state of Montana and in the United States I am in the minority. The ruling of Roe vs. Wade legalized abortions, but just because it is legal does not make it morally correct. An argument often used is that the embryo is not human, but rather a mass of cells. I feel this is wrong because a random mass of cells do not grow into a baby unless they are, in fact, the beginning of a new life. To destroy the life of a vulnerable baby before it can take a breath is depravity, no matter the stage of development.
Fortunately, the natural world brings joy in contrast to the sad happenings such as abortions. The hard part is dragging people from their technological entertainment to notice it. Luckily, I have had the pleasure of growing up in an area without cellphone service, which has caused me to appreciate the natural world more. There are times that I sit on my phone looking up potential vacation spots, from the lush green of Ireland, to the sparkling waters of Hawaii. This boredom lasts until I realize that I could be enjoying the beauty of my hometown. From my backyard I have the view that no canvas can recreate or photo can do justice. These may show the same blend of colors, but they do not feel the same. There is no breeze to rustle my hair, no trill of a meadowlark’s high notes when it comes from an illuminated screen instead of nature. All of those shiny devices from laptops to iPhones provide distractions that are visually appealing, but they do not take the place of nature which entices all of the senses.
Enjoying nature is a very important part of transcendentalism, but my independence helps me transcend as well. The only thing that stands in the way of my transcending is my rational thinking that squashes my emotional response to many situations. I believe that I do transcend, but not regularly. This is a direct result of my busy schedule, which leaves little time for philosophical thinking and insight to life. In the summer time when I have more time for myself, I transcend more often. On warm summer nights, when every hole in the floor of heaven can be seen, I will often run barefoot in the cool dirt until I find my horse. Once on her back, with the smooth muscles of her hindquarters pillowing my head, I stare up at the sky and infinite space. I believe that is when I finally transcend.