This is the second AP for our Humanities class, Journalism. This unit was all about photography and how photos can have more meaning behind them than just the image. We learned about how to take photos, key terms like aperture, shutter speed, and the Rule of Thirds, and how to analyze the images. For this AP, we used what we learned to interview someone of our choice, asking them their definition of the meaning of life. We then captured an image that we thought might best show the meaning behind our interview. Below, you will see who I interviewed, the photo I captured, and their definition. Enjoy!
The Meaning behind Life
What is the meaning of life? It is a concept that is very hard to define and many people spend their whole life seeking an answer. However, nobody will ever be able to give a true definition because it is purely subjective and individual to each person and their experiences. So, on this quest to attempt to define the meaning of life, I asked myself what would be the best way to figure it out, and so I decided to interview my mom. I thought that someone who had gone through as many experiences as her, and someone who is a mother - who has given life - might know the meaning of life.
My mom is the most important woman in my life. She has influenced me immensely throughout my years, and I have so much more to learn from her still. She was born on December 25, 1971, and she had me 32 years later. Ever since then, we have never been separated and we have had a very close relationship.
I always admired my mother ever since I was young. Especially when my siblings were born, I thought it was the most spectacular thing - how one person could grow a baby and then give life. And through observing that gift of life, it then always made me wonder, what was the meaning?
I sat down with my mom, already knowing I had questions. Three main questions came to mind at that moment, but I know that just 3 questions will never be the full amount that I have.
We started by talking about how life is a special thing that many take for granted. She pointed out how there is so much to be thankful for and so much privilege in just simply being healthy. After talking for a couple of minutes, I decided to lead with my question of what the meaning of life is, and ask supporting questions after.
She pondered for a moment, trying to formulate her answer. As she was thinking, she was looking down at the floor for a minute, so I knew she had her answer when she slowly looked up at me. Simply, she stated, "Everybody has a purpose and that purpose is why you were put on this earth, so the meaning of life is to fulfill that purpose". I thought this was interesting because I do believe everyone has a purpose but just like the question of the meaning of life, I don't think anyone can truly define their purpose either. So, I liked the correlation between the question and the answer's theme.
I know my mom has always been perceptive and has had good intuiion her whole life. She had talked to me before about having 'visions' or premonitions about her future and present times going on in her life, so when I inquired about any specific moments she might remember being the cause of her definition, her answer didn't surprise me. She explained that when she was 5 years old, she had a vision about her life and that her calling would be to help people. She then recalled that everything she did from then on, she was always happiest when she was making a difference in people's lives and helping them reach their full potential.
MEM. KT and Kids. 2021 |