My Favorite Text

This semester has not only offered me an insight into the Latin American culture, but an in depth perspective to a person’s character and nature. My favorite text that we talked about this semester was Ines of My Soul.  This book helped me gain a better understanding of the conquest of Latin America.  It described the conflicts between the Spaniards and the native Indians, the way the Spaniards treated women and slaves and the spiritual views of the Spaniards.  I found it very interesting how their motivation for exploration was based on obtaining gold, their past time was used to drink and have their way with women, and their tactics to get the Indians to build their towns.  This might sound harsh, but that is what I saw on the surface of the text regarding this culture.

It made for an interesting novel, but what fascinated me most about the novel was the main character of the novel, Ines.  I grew to appreciate her as a strong, independent woman.  At the beginning of the story, her free-spirit caused her to be condemned to a life at home without a husband, however, we find that her free-spirit and independence does not allow her to settle for this and she goes in search of finding her husband.  In actuality, we find that she used that as an excuse to find freedom and adventure for herself.  I appreciate her willingness to not give up when they were in the desert and about to die of thirst.  Her resourcefulness saved them.  I also appreciate her willingness to sacrifice herself for the sake of those around her when it comes to fighting for her people.

The main reason why I enjoyed this text is because I felt a connection to this woman and could relate to some of the same character traits that she possessed.  It was inspiring and educational.

Sacrifice and Love

Under the Same Moon

The movie, Under the Same Moon, is about a nine year old boy, Carlito, living in Mexico with his Grandmother, while his mother has been in Los Angeles for the last four years trying to become a US citizen and earn enough money to make a life for her and her son.  As the movie progresses, the Grandmother dies and the son decides to travel to find his mother.  The story is about his adventures along the way to get to his mother.

My favorite part of the movie is when Carlito is on the bus with Enrique, his traveling buddy, heading to Los Angeles and Enrique explains to Carlito that his mother still loves him and that is why she has been in Los Angeles for the last four years.  He explains that people do hard things for certain reasons and Carlito is that reason for her.

Why is Carlito that reason for her?  It is referring to that undying love that one person has for another.  In this case, the love of a mother for her son.  That is the reason why we sacrifice for others.  It is a matter of loving someone else more than we love ourselves.

In class, I liked how Dr. Mack explained that with attachment seeking behavior it is a way for someone to feel safe.  Once that person feels secure in that attachment to you, then that love grows and it no longer becomes about loving ourselves but a love for someone else, which makes it easier to sacrifice, like Carlito’s mother did.

However, I also see the connection of sacrifice and love for others with Enrique and Carlito as well.  Through the movie, Enrique only cared about his own survival.  His love was focused on himself and not others.  As the attachment and love grew between Enrique and Carlito, when it came time at a vital point in the movie, Enrique did not question the need to sacrifice his own freedom in exchange for Carlito’s freedom from the police officers. 

When we love others more than ourselves, we are more willing to make sacrifices for others.

Experience

“Ultima said to take life’s experiences and build strength from them, not weakness.” 

(Rudolfo Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima, 261)

Bless Me, Ultima is about a young boys journey through his childhood to manhood.  He has several questions about life and through his experience and guidance by an old family friend, Ultima, he is able to find the knowledge that he needs to guide his future path.

At the end of the book, Antonio, the young boy, shares what he has learned from Ultima and I especially like this quote about taking life’s experiences and building strength from them, not weakness.  Even though Antonio has seen much in his young life, he is learning to take the good out those experiences and better himself.

This is a valuable lesson that we can all take into our lives.  We all have challenges, but if we focus on what we can learn from these experiences, then we will be a stronger person.  This reminds me of the scripture given to Joseph Smith by the Lord when he is in Liberty jail and he feels like he can’t endure this trial much longer.  It says: “…know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” (D&C 122:7)

Our experience shall be for our good.  Here again is that important life lesson, if we choose to abide by it.  If we don’t then it becomes a weakness.

There is an inspirational story about a man named Tony Melendez who was born with no arms.  This could be a weakness, however he chooses to make it his strength.  He learns to play a guitar by using his feet.  He makes beautiful music while playing the guitar and singing. 

He said, “God has given me strength. God has given me my family and he has given me my music which makes me feel strongly connected with Him. That helped me grow… It has calmed my heart…” 

His experience has made him grow and become stronger, just as Antonio's experience has made him grow and will continue to make him stronger in his life. It can do the same for us.