“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”- Albert Einstein

               One lecture discussion that resonated with me was discussing time periods throughout history, what type of society thrived in those time eras, and what type of literature was being produced. As we discussed each era and the works of literature written during them, it made me realize how much a written work can reflect the time period in which they wrote in. This lecture helped me to piece the puzzle together and realize what society was like in different time periods based on the literature in which they were written in and helped me to better understand all of the written works I have read throughout my life time (i.e., The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald written in a time period that revolved around the pursuit of the American dream). The lecture also helped me to better understand the generation I currently live in and helped me gain objective, outside, and unbiased perspectives instead of my own subjective perspective. Learning about my generation also helped me to realize the parallels between us and modern pop culture, as well as the types of literature being produced.

               Aside from literature and the time period it was written in, it further continued into connections in my current life. I grew up with maternal grandparents from an entirely different culture than that of modern American culture, thus a lot of strict rules and regulations were placed upon me growing up. For a long time, I struggled with the thought that I never have and never will be able to live up to their expectations, and tried incessantly to please them or find a way to make them proud and to make them realize that I was not a horrible and detestable being. As I grew older, I learned to realize and accept that I will never please them or ever be perfect in their eyes, so why try? I realized that the most important thing was that I felt good enough for myself and I knew that in comparison to others around me (not to toot my own horn but), I was actually not the runt of the litter; I was actually different in the best way possible. It no longer mattered to me if my family did not dwell in modern society and American culture; I knew the difference and I was proud of myself whilst knowing I had a wonderful mixture of both cultures.

               What furthered my knowledge about my situation is really learning about the different time periods because not only did my maternal family grow up in a different culture, they were raised in a completely different time period, as well. A time period that had different familial standards, societal standards, and educational standards. Who was I to blame them for expecting me to be certain ways? They literally lived a completely different life; a much more conservative life as opposed to modern American liberal and unorthodox society. No matter how hard I tried or will try, I will never shake them of their beliefs, opinions, or values-- those are hard wired in them. This helped me to not only open my eyes, but to truly understand what has been attempted to be forced and imposed upon me since childhood. I no longer hold an angry stigma (at least not all the time) towards my maternal family because I can truly understand their perception by stepping outside of my own, which is the key to successful communication. Although perception was discussed in a different lecture, it was this specific lecture that made everything click together in my head. It has helped me accept that I am not immoral or miscreant, I am normal. I have accepted that I have always tried to be my very best me but still tried to please others, and I learned that I will never be able to please every single person around me, especially not them. I was judged by them based on their own values and opinions, not by my own nor the morals and values of the environment I live in and was given no flexibility; leaving me to feel inadequate and led me to be very scrupulous (which is not always a bad thing if done for the right reasons). It is best to be proud of who I am and know that I have taken all of the morals and values my maternal family has helped me develop while also blending them with my own time period and my own culture that I am living in. Just like a work of literature, I, too, am a product of my time period.