Summary Of Roger Ebert: The Essential Man

It is impossible to determine the value of life in financial terms. For example, my grandmother passed away a couple of years ago. She left behind many valuables for all the family. It saddened me when my aunts were fighting with each other over properties and money. In fact, they even stopped talking for months because they were not satisfied with what they received. Although people can assign monetary value, a life’s true worth is in the emotional legacy we leave behind and the memories we make with our friends and family. In Chris Jones article, “Roger Ebert: The Essential Man,” Jones interviews Ebert, and gives an insight on what Ebert’s life is like despite having to undergo many surgeries, and losing the ability to speak. I find

People do not realize how blessed they are just by being able to wake up to a whole new day. In “Hamlet’s Soliloquy,”, from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Shakespeare an English poet, playwright and actor, Hamlet says “The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them” (lines 3,4,5). This quote is an example of how most people allow negativity to take over. I disagree with Hamlet because, no matter what may be going on in your life, ending your life should not be part of a solution. There is always something positive you can obtain from life struggles. The key is to analyze things and find the good that remains. For example, one struggle that I have faced in my life and has made me appreciate life more was when I arrived to California. I was eight years old when I first came to Santa Barbara, and did not know any English. This was a great struggle for me because I did not think I would be able to learn it, and also I thought that people were going to make fun of me and bully me because of my circumstance. Luckily, I was able to persevere. I learned English fast, and was able to get back on track and catch up with all my

This quote is the perfect example of a way to stay positive. When you have a struggle, do not think of how this will affect your future, rather go back connect the dots and see what led you to be in the place you now are. Many people spend most of their lives and time working, trying to obtain as much money as possible, thinking that the more money you attain, the more you will be able to enjoy life to the fullest. In “‘You’ve got to find what you love’, Jobs says,” Jobs asserts, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Dont let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice. And most important, have courage to follow your heart and intuition” (par 23). I agree with Steve Jobs because I believe that you must find what you love to do and follow your intuition, rather than choosing a job you do not like just to attain money. Everyone must learn to appreciate life, and live each day as if it is your last, asking yourself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” Most people, myself included, go through the days without doing any interesting things or being lazy. We all must be more conscious and appreciate the gift of life we have.