A boy alone in the city... "Oliver Twist".

Have we ever stopped to look at the children wandering in our city? Have we stopped and think about why they are there instead of being at school or at home? It seems we have been accustomed to see them, that we almost do not notice their presence. In the film Oliver Twist there is a boy who is an orphan and who tries to survive in the promising city of London. However, when Oliver arrives to London he realises that living there is very difficult for everyone- except for the wealthy people, of course- so he has to face the cruel reality: or he starts robbing people for surviving or awaits starvation.

The fact presented above led me to think that in some cases, the lack of opportunities for children, teenagers and adults might lead them to incur in delinquency. The need for survival guide poor people to steal –so, if poor people rob for surviving, why some wealthy people rob? Juts for surviving? I do not think so!-.

Oliver, just like thousands of children here in Chile, swarm in the streets looking for an opportunity. The problem is: are there enough chances for children and their families to survive and to have a comfortable way of living, when there is a huge socio-economic gap that impede people to have a decent life.

The mistaken word!!

What is the cost of progress? Till what point people are going to leave aside their health in order to achieve the progress of the society?

When I think of progress, the first question that appears in my mind is: progress, for whom? Is progress implying a progress for all the people who belong to the society? Or it is just for some of them? The issue here is the term itself. We all want progress for our lives and society but, what are the risks, advantages and disadvantages of it? I think that just few people stop to think about this issue.

Many politicians fill their mouths with sweet words about progress, that it is needed, that we must work for it... however, do politicians realize that progress means?-at least for me- it is an improvement for ALL the people, in terms of life standard, security, education, health, etc.

The term itself is so overused that just few take into consideration its real meaning. It seems that progress implies improvements for the dominant class, which unfortunately, seems to “represent” to majority of people.

Self-esteem or arrogance? What is the limit?

When I think of Victor Frankenstein I start thinking about myself. In occasions, I have felt I can do whatever I want; whenever I wish, just because, and without any other reason that just feed my ego. Victor Frankenstein believed he was untouchable. He thought he was invincible and that the power of his own mind could achieve everything. But he was wrong, he just played to be God, he tried to change the course of the nature and he lost his battle against it.

Sometimes I have felt in the same way Victor Frankenstein did when he believed in the almighty power of his mind. I have caught myself with thoughts like “I can do this, it is very easy” when I have been faced with very difficult situations. But, how far am I from the reality? Is this feeling of “I can do it” real and healthy? Is my self-esteem alright or it is something very different? Like arrogance, for example.

Arrogance makes people thing they are superior when they are not. It makes people think that they can do everything just because they are better than others. Was Victor Frankenstein arrogant? Or was he just very self-confident?

I just hope not be almost dying for realizing my mistakes just like Victor did. I hope it was not too late for regretting all what I have done wrong in my life.

Nature...Have I stopped once to contemplate you?

Daffodils, by Wordsworth

Daffodils are reflection of nature in our lives, the essence of the simplest form of life. In this nonstop life, where humans do not have the time (or the will) to stop and contemplate nature, Daffodils come to amaze our sight and to teach us that there is beauty and peace in nature that has been hidden to our eyes due to our blindness caused by our too rationalized life.

However, when we start realizing that there is more than just concrete, reason, and objective elements in our existence, we allow nature to show us the mighty power of it, where beauty has its maximum expression.

When the author refers to “A poet could not but be gay, in such a jocund company” is trying to express that there is no comparison when eyes are opened to the attractiveness of nature. Nothing can be more gorgeous that witnessing and being able to read nature’s words.