Week Two Response

I had a mixture of feelings about this week's reading. Bunn's piece had an overall useful message for those trying to improve their writing - read with intention. In this case, read with the intention to become a better writer by looking at why the author made the choices he or she did. I found myself asking questions about Bunn's choices quite before he suggested the reader do so. Why did he include students' perspectives when he could have said the same things himself? What happened to the enjoyable nature of his writing that he began with that quickly died when he switched from storytelling to advice giving?

His message was received, although I would have been happy with a condensed version because, whatever the purpose was regarding his choices, I did not much enjoy them.

Rubin's readings evoked both irritation and enjoyment in me. I read the chapter on mindfulness first, which prompted the most annoyance. I saw the "I" repetition at first and then began her stubbornness to not follow her own advice – to try new avenues for bringing about happiness. Her resistance to trying meditation even once and yet, ironically seeing the benefit of titling activities as “meditation” had my anger level rising. Perhaps she somewhat misjudged her grasp on the meaning of mindfulness.

I enjoyed chapter eight much more and was glad I read it last. I found peoples' suggestions for spiritual leaders interesting and the focus on present moment and death was nice; I especially liked the epitaph at the end. The subject matter of her book makes me want to like the book itself and the writer, but alas it doesn't. Nonetheless, I am glad that she took the initiative to try and become happier and that her journey has and likely will continue to help people do the same, regardless of how it effects me personally.