Week 6 Writing Assignment

I will focus on chapter 8 “Lighten up” for 6 week writing assignment.
Especially, I will consider “celebration.”

I think there are countless celebrations in ordinary life. For example, section party, nomikai, “job well done” party and so on. Such parties celebrate completing job and big project, winning competitions or games or just gathering. Why people hold such parties with their friends, family and colleges? There are mainly two reasons for this. First, they share their happiness and accomplishment. Second, they promote solidarity within the group. In addition to them, someone work hard to hold such parties. In other words, they think parties as a goal. Although there are various ideas in such parties, parities make people laugh and ease their mind.

Shacklton also held various parties in his expedition. In addition, he even celebrated small things. He was extremely good at keeping cheerful mood in his group even though they faced big problems and despair in the expedition. Small pleasures and laughing in harsh condition make people keep their motivation, relationship between members, vitality. Moreover, people can forget discomforts when they are laughing. Those are truly “the spirit of celebration continued throughout the darkest of days, when cheerful rituals could easily have turned to deep despair.”

I have never experienced harsh condition like Shacklton’s expedition. However, I often face difficulties and stressful situations. For example, when I was up to my neck in assignment, I was always irritated because of lack of sleep. I could not think carefully, and I was in a terrible mood, but I could not neglect my assignment. Owing to this condition, more and more I felt awful. However, my friends always let me forget them when I am talking and laughing with them. It is just a meaningless conversation. Nevertheless, I could recover my mind, and I could keep going.

In addition, when I finish my task such as test, big assignment or school term, I always buy some sweet treats, or I do whatever I want. These are celebration for me. Thanks to them, I can relax and feel the ease. Also, I can feel to keep working again. Small celebrations make me acquit myself from mental stress, fatigue and distress.

In conclusion, Shacklton uses celebrations to keep his members’ moral. However, ordinary people also can use it effectively in their own lives. Celebration give them motivation and energy to drive themselves forward. Celebration is essential for human beings to live actively or happily.