“Is appreciation of daily something that we are missing?

Throughout time, we can see that many individuals surround themselves with so many activities and works during the day. They spend all their days filled with things to do that they forget about how beautiful life can be. This can be seen through the soldiers that fought during World War 1. It was then they realized how much they missed their old life and how they wished they were able to do more during their time as citizens of a town. Soldiers such as Paul Baumer from All is Quiet on the Western Front said that he missed collecting books and being an Iron Youth with his friends from his class. It is safe to say that whenever major events appear in one’s lives, people tend to reminiscent on times that were stress-free for them. The war provided trauma to the soldiers, and all they could think about was how they missed their youth because they have become “old folk now.” During the 7 samurai, the villagers were focused on the raiders and their own crops. During this time period, they forgot how great their lives were before all these struggles came up. After the defeat of the raiders, the villagers were able to return to their lives. They were singing, planting and harvesting crops, and enjoying their lives. It is seen through many films and books that people tend to forget how life itself is a blessing.

During the time period of World War 1, imperialism and industrialization was still occurring. This meant that men and women were working for long periods of time in the factories to produce machinery or clothing. They spent long shifts working to provide for their families. Because of this, there was little time to enjoy what life is truly about. All that was known to them was work, work, and work. Take my advice; take days off for yourself. Enjoy life to the fullest and never forget the beauty of the living. Don’t overwhelm yourself with things to keep you busy. Live your life, the way that you want to live it. 

“The night lives, I live. I feel a hunger, greater than comes from the belly alone.”

All is Quiet on the Western Front: Chapter 2, Page 25