"This I Believe: Above the World" by Cadence Sinclair

This December, Advanced Composition students studied, wrote, and recorded audio essays. Students wrote and recorded their own "This I Believe" essays inspired by the weekly This I Believe Podcast. While we're publishing the text of each essay below, we strongly encourage you to listen to each student's audio essay for a more intimate experience.

I believe in the power of flying. All of my life, everything important to me had been concentrated in one town. Sure, I'd been on plenty of road trips up and down the east coast, but my experience mostly consisted of piercing headaches and claustrophobia. The places I had traveled to just didn't feel extraordinary. Perhaps they lacked glitter to me because the journey itself was so close to the ground, so gritty and stressful. Once we'd reached the destination, according to our MapQuest directions, everyone was exhausted and irritable. Most people don't feel as cynical as I do about road trips, but I guess it all comes down to my childhood aspirations.

When I can't fall asleep, I always imagine floating over sleepy cities in a hot air balloon at night: a soothing sort of travel, yet vibrant in its scenery. Peter Pan was also my favorite childhood Disney movie, and my favorite part was when the pirate ship soared into the Neverland skies at the end, blazing with pixie dust. I remember watching that scene over and over and wondering how I could defy gravity. I connect flying with the idea of running alongside infinity, beating time at its own game. It's this concept of going so fast that everything around you slows and freezes and you're enwrapped with the sensation of being magical and free.

Last summer, I buzzed over LA in a plane. Take-off was at midnight, and I remember yawning every few seconds and complaining to my parents about the fact that I was going to have to sleep sitting upright. As I waited in line at the terminal with my family, the world was blurry. As I made my way to my spot of the plane, I was stumbling and aching to finally collapse with my head rested against the window. Luckily, that seat was mine. I heard the great rumbling of our ascent at last, and once we were at level with the clouds, I deliriously rolled my hand a little to the left. Then I saw it: the gleaming city beneath the stars. I was awed by the surreal blend of a clear night sky and twinkling LA lights. It transcended any other sight I'd ever deemed 'pretty.' What I saw was worth more than a simple adjective. I couldn't wrap it up in a neat little box and throw away the key. I suddenly knew what it was like to sync watches with the gentle waltz of the cosmos, while still hovering just a breath above human busyness. From so far up, the busyness dissolved into a silent, radiant pulse, and the inky black sky teased me with its mysterious beauty. I realized how tiny people truly are, but how hard they try to be big and bright.

I gained perspective on that night, and suddenly I knew that through flying, I could embark on the greatest of adventures, travel beyond the ordinary scope. I couldn't figure out why every other airplane window had the curtain drawn, but I still believe wholeheartedly in the power of flying.

"This I Believe: Daydreaming" by Marcus

This December, Advanced Composition students studied, wrote, and recorded audio essays. Students wrote and recorded their own "This I Believe" essays inspired by the weekly This I Believe Podcast. While we're publishing the text of each essay below, we strongly encourage you to listen to each student's audio essay for a more intimate experience.

I believe in daydreaming.

I believe in letting your thoughts overtake you and creating your own fantastic reality. I believe it is my right as a pioneer of imagination to be whoever, wherever, or whatever I want to be.

I’ve been daydreaming since day one. As long as I can remember, the world just … wasn’t exciting enough for me. I wanted to do more, and become one of the greats. I didn’t know how, but I wanted badly to become somebody, instead of this boring, responsible student. I dreamt about becoming a hero to save the day. I’d fly and fight and rescue damsels in distress; a way to de-stress myself.

I believe that your dreams mean something spectacular. They have been philosophized and pondered about for generations, but no one actually knows why we dream. There have been several theories, but I’ve found that I can only settle on one reason: our minds are trying to tell us something important.

I believe that our soul is never truly asleep, and it is constantly trying to grow and evolve and lead us to who we are meant to become. When we sleep, all of our inhibitions and fears and common sense is thrown out of the window, and our deepest desires and ideals come out to play; an all-out brawl with no boundaries.

And now you see, in that drunken, dazed, half-asleep mind of yours, your dreams. Most likely, your mind is showing you something you need to see. Now what would happen if you take the next step to making your dreams become your reality? You would have to translate your dreams into your everyday thoughts: daydreaming. Daydreaming is the next step toward what you need to become. After that, it’s just making sure that you work hard at your goal to make it come true.

Daydreaming can exist at any time or place, as long as you can picture it clearly. Personally, I enjoy listening to music when I daydream; a sort of soundtrack to use as a framework. Quite often, to go along with my action dreams I would listen to heroic soundtracks or lyric-less songs. This would enhance and better organize the picture in my mind.

For the longest time I struggled with trying to find out who I am and what my plan of action is for the next few years. I didn’t realize that the answer was right in front of me, all of my life. I wanted to save the day, and I didn’t need superpowers to do it. I realized that all I really want in life is a good cause to fight for and devote myself to. I decided to actually leave the comforting nest that is my room and search for a new cause. I found so many new things: robotics, volunteering, and most importantly: people.

Daydreaming has become a large part of my life, and I’ve come to really respect it. It’s helped me through a lot of tough times. And of all the things I’m thankful for, I’ve really got to hand it to God for the imagination that He’s put into my mind. I am who I am today because of my dreams and imagination that I’ve turned into reality.

So whenever you find yourself questioning yourself or have doubts about who you are and what you’re supposed to do, just sleep on it.

"As Beautiful as the Sun" by Bliss

Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small.

            Concentration was coming to her about as easily as the sun might find its way through the middle of an ongoing storm. When she released the string, the arrow soared by, causing an enormous wave of energy to pass through her arm. Letting go generated a huge sense of relief, leaving a sort of contentment in the wake of the arrow. She exhaled, the great weight of the bow string finally set free.

            Breathe.

            THUNK.        

            Elle opened her eyes to her arrow resting on the edge of the bulls-eye. Barely inside.

            A slight draft of wind passed by, causing a few strands of her escaped hair to stir. The wind wasn't chilly, it was the kind of breeze that would meander through one of those perfect family picnics. Light, but strong enough to bring forth the smell of fresh air. The sun accepted the weather with a nice touch of warmth, the sky a flawless blue to complete the picture.

            The island beneath Elle cut into the sky-scape, free of any visible land that should have grounded it. An island in the truest sense; totally divorced from any other earth or sea. It drifted among clouds, greeting them as companions – but not equals. It was a solid mass, not to be confused with them and their promises of solidity.

            “Not bad,” a voice startled her from behind. “Could have done better, of course.”

            Elle turned cautiously around to face a young man with golden curls, his hair being the first feature she set eyes on. He was tall, well-built, and wrapped in a white shawl representative of the Greeks. His strong jawline and chiseled features reflected the ideals of the ancients: strong and dramatic. But there was a certain femininity there, too, lending his features a sense of tranquility and gentleness. He was beautiful.

            He eyed her curiously, his line of sight darting between her body and the target. The realization of who he was struck Elle, leaving her unable to speak; too many thoughts darting through her mind. It couldn't be... Apollo.

            “Elena, why do you call yourself Elle? Elena sounds so much authoritative. And beautiful,” he said, their eyes meeting.

            All she could do was shake her head and part her lips in an attempt to speak. No words came through.

            “Ah, well,” he looked around, “This is a floating island, like Delos. Do you know who I am now? I would be offended if you did not.”

            This time, a single word crept though. “Apollo.” She breathed a sigh of relief for being able to break away from her trance. Her eyes never left the god.

            “I have to tell you, Elena, your...” Apollo's words began to fade and the sound of his voice was gradually replaced by a ringing noise, until...

            Elle opened her eyes.

            Darkness. Apartment. Bedroom. Cell phone. Dream...

"The Greatest Invention" by Tom Bombadil

I was once asked, “What do you think is the greatest invention ever created?”  My first thoughts were iPods, computers, and cell phones.  Those are all amazing life-changing inventions, but then I was told to stop, take a step back, and truly think.  I could live without my computer; there is paper.  I could survive without my iPod.  I could easily communicate without a cell phone; there are house phones and a postal system. 

            My friend who asked me this question told me to go home and think.  Just think until I thought of something I could not live without.  As I lay in bed that night, one thought swirled around my brain, preventing me from drifting off into oblivion.  What is one thing that is so amazing I could not survive or would be devastating to be without?  What is that greatest invention?

            Finally, I drifted off to sleep while having the weirdest dream. 

            “All of the items have arrived, Ms. -----,” a tiny robotic voice squeaked.  -----glanced down at the little white cubic robot, and patted its head.

            “Thank you, Sandrine.  I will be there momentarily to start the show.” This was the biggest show to date.  -----stood up from her vanity, straightened her little black dress and confidently walked toward the stage for another show of “What is the Greatest Invention?”  She stepped onstage to thunderous applause and blinding white lights.  “Welcome!  Welcome to another amazing episode of “What is the Greatest Invention?”  I am your host, -----.  Now, let’s see these inventions!”  Suddenly, fifteen items were rolled onto the stage.  “We are going to start with the first item.”  With a flourish, Sarah pulled off the black cloth that covered the large, oddly shaped invention.  “A car!  Is this the greatest invention?  Are there any naysayers?”

            “Ay.  What about a horse?  A horse can easily replace a car.  They are more fuel-efficient, though slower,” a voice rang out.  ----- nodded thoughtfully and moved onto the next item.  That was how the show worked.  The host would remove the cover from each item and if there was an alternative for the item, then the invention was not the winner.           

            “The next item is…a supermarket.”  ----- lifted up the mini model of a supermarket, complete with robotic people and mini cars. 

            “People used to scavenge.  Shopping is not a necessity.  Food can be found elsewhere.” 

            “The next item is a tissue,” ------ called out while lifting up a tissue from a podium, as the man who contradicted the supermarket as the greatest invention sat down, much to the audience’s dismay.  They clearly thought supermarkets were irreplaceable.  However, without fail a woman mentioned handkerchiefs and the tissue was placed back on its podium.  ----- asked the crowd, “What about email?” 

            “Back in the day, we wrote real letters with stationary.  None of this silly instant messaging thing.”  The audience turned its collective head and glared at the old woman until she sat down

            “Next, I have up here a bicycle!” 

            “Bah.  We can just walk!” 

            “What about an oven?”

            “I use a fire-pit.  It saves electricity and power.”

            “A pen?”

            “Pencil”

            “A plane?  This is one important invention that revolutionized war and trade!”

            “Ships are just as usable.”

            All the items were rejected one after another.  Sometimes ----- could only hold up the item, or a model, before the item was rejected.  This was one of the most ruthless shows.  ----- was nervous because there were only two items left on stage.  “There are two items left on stage.  If one of these is not the greatest invention, then the show will be back next week.  However, if one of these is the greatest, then the show will shift topics to the greatest type of shoe.  Now, let us see these two items.”  With that said, ----- whipped off the covers with a flourish.  As the covers fell, the crowd gasped.  There was a refrigerator which was quickly booed because people could easily use cold boxes.  The other item was—

            I awoke with a gasp.  I knew what the greatest invention ever invented was.  The invention was so obvious I was surprised I never thought of this item like that.  It is so common and always there that I take this item for granted.  What would I do without it?  The whole world could potentially collapse.  Well, maybe. 

            I called my friend, not caring my clock was flashing 3:10am.  I knew the answer.  “The greatest item is a chair!”  I almost shouted my answer due to my elation, but barely held back.  The answer was so easy.  Without chairs, where would I sit comfortably or write stories and read books.  How would I travel in cars or learn in schools?  This simple invention revolutionized the world but is never remembered.  Chairs exist all over from full luxurious thrones to hard painful rocks. 

            I will always remember the chair as the greatest invention, not because it is flashy or unique, but because without a chair, my feet would hurt from standing all day.