Being remembered

     

        Do you fear oblivion after your death? What impression would you like to leave on the world? The concept of oblivion is discussed three times in this book.

The first time is Hazel and Augustus’s first meet. Asked what he feared, Augustus answered oblivion. Hazel, on the other hand, thought that all human beings will be forgotten at the end of the world, maybe tomorrow or after a trillion years. Until then, all of us will become a speck of dust, so there’s no need to worry about oblivion. The second time is when they went to Amsterdam (the movie version: after Augustus’s cancer deteriorated). Augustus said that he feared that he was not able to lead an extraordinary life, leave a mark on Earth or die in exchange for some service of good, which irritated Hazel. Augustus was too obsessed with the idea that he wanted the world to remember him and admire him, while Hazel believed that he got love from his family, friends, and her, and that was enough. The third time was at the end of the book, Augustus mentioned that he thought Hazel was special for she chose to love deeper instead of being remembered wider.

The concept of leading an extraordinary life has been rooted in our minds. Since we were children, we have been taught to become successful people. For people’s birthday wishes or New year’s resolutions, becoming a better person or living a better life are common hopes. Indeed, if you become an extraordinary person based on social standards, you may become an influencer, and thus possess the power to change the world as well as leave positive effects. However, is it a blessing or a curse that we are desperate to pursue being extraordinary and being remembered? From my perspective, I don’t quite agree with this idea, but I have to admit that this idea is correct in some way.

Throughout my life, I keep expecting myself to become a better person, so I always do my best on academics, attend many extra-curricular activities to enrich myself, and be responsible for all things in my life. However, sometimes I feel so exhausted that I just don’t feel like doing anything, and feel so helpless and unmotivated toward the overwhelming tasks. Furthermore, it fluctuates my emotion and thus impacts my productivity. Then, I realized that my obsession with becoming a better person turned out to be an invisible but heavy pressure on me. This reminds me that, while the intention of becoming a better person is good, too much force can lead to a negative influence.

          On the other hand, while leaving a mark on Earth can be easily associated with being successful, it can be done in another way. At the funeral of one of my family members (sorry but I still don’t have the courage to reveal who he is), the sorrow could be easily told from every participants’ face, showing their unwillingness for him to leave the world. I also heard many people talk about how kind he was as well as how sincerely he treated his friends. That’s his way of being remembered, not by the whole world but his own little world. Maybe the science of being remembered is not about living a grand life and having huge effects on society, but being a kind person in your limited life and living forever in your loved ones’ minds.

(Optional to read)

Finally, I’ve finished my first book! Although I thought reading books, particularly written in English, may be a tough and tedious task at the beginning, it seems that I gradually find my interest in reading, thinking, and writing down my own reflections!

I would like to ask you guys if you have any recommendations for my next book. Rather than science fiction or romantic stories, I prefer books that help me review myself or contain the philosophy of life. Comment your recommendations pleeeease<3

Or have anyone here read a book called, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry(一個人的朝聖)? I’m interested in this book, but I’m afraid that my language proficiency would not allow me to choose it haha. Please tell me something about this book if you have read it before! Thank you!