Essay #1 revised

Temptation is what grabs someone’s attention. It may lead most people to bad things, and someone may not realize that they end up hurting others along the way. Other times, it could be for the right reasons that people are being tempted, but no one may seem to agree. So, 'it's sometimes necessary to do things you know are wrong in order to achieve an important goal.'

  Reaching a goal to be proud of an achievement could bring people down and mistakes will be made in the process, but not what was intentionally wanted. Even though chasing a goal for all the right reasons is difficult, but by having someone to give support, anything is possible. It doesn't mean it is a selfish act; everyone has the same reasons that anyone else that would want to achieve an important goal, would do, in order to be satisfied. Sometimes it is necessary to do the wrong things in order to achieve an important goal because it could be the best or worst decision that was ever made. Even though mistakes will be made, everyone will learn from them because no one is perfect and mistakes shape personalities and strengthen people’s wisdom. Most people learn differently from their mistakes. For instance, being in trouble for the same thing countless times, but it teaches people to try again and never give up no matter how hurtful it may be.

In the beginning, the word 'temptation' was used, it is true; temptation can bring the best or worse out of people, but what influences the decision of people to do so? Usually by following temptation could be for various reasons. For example, trying to fight for something with a passion; such as love for someone or something.
Also, being around the wrong influences could lead others past the main goal to something worse and unexpected. Even though these may influence decisions of many, it is also important to think about the goal and the people that may get hurt along the way, or if the goal is worth fighting for.
Remember that the heart only gives out emotions, but does not think like the mind; the mind depends on knowledge, not feelings. Such as thinking of the consequences first before going into action because trust and respect maybe lost. These are all things to consider when fighting for an important goal. 

Therefore, never give up on goals or dreams, and let no one tell you what to do with your life because life is not always about following other people’s opinions; it could cause people to feel regretful and weak. Discovering a path could lead many possibilities that would have never been thought of; learning from mistakes, even after many trails will help in the present and future. 

Making decisions will help now and later on, and even though the process of following a goal may hurt people; sometimes it is necessary to do things that are wrong to achieve an important goal.

Power Always Corrupts The One Who Holds It - REVISED

            John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton once said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."

                 Beyond all else, the world yearns for power. Throughout the history of man, rulers, peasants, philosophers, and leaders have all committed countless murders, genocides, and masterminded a number of duplicities. All committed in the attainment of power. These men start off kind-hearted but with time and exposure to power they become corrupt. Power is a mighty force; it affects the way people behave and dominates one’s mind. It is in a way a powerful drug that can lead one’s life downhill. Power always corrupts the one who holds it.

               It is human nature to always want more. Power boosts this selfish nature to such a high extent that many become corrupted. This has been going on since the beginning of time. Back in the day leaders of different countries fought for land. They believed the more land they owned, the more power they obtained. For example an unclaimed land with an abundance of resources meant cheap supplies to build things that could be sold for profit. Whilst countries may already have an abundance of resources, leaders see this unclaimed land as an opportunity to gain power over more people and power in economics. The leaders desire more control and power then they already have, and are willing to fight one another to prove that they are the best. They no longer care about the safety of the people, they desire more land and will do anything to obtain it. This situation has caused countless wars being fought which resulted in many deaths and poverty within citizens.

              There are two types of power, socialized power and personalized power. There is a simple distinction between these two types of power. Socialized power is power used to benefit others while personalized power is power used for personal gain. Leaders often use both powers equally to govern a society, group, or business. The corruption begins when the personalized power starts to dominate. The leaders gain but often from the follower’s expense. For example, Marie Antoinette was a French queen that was despised by the people of France. In the beginning the people of France had no complaints towards the way she and King Louis XV governed, but Marie Antoinette was soon dominated by her personalized power; she bought a diamond necklace worth more than the income of France in a year. The necklace had cost many lives because France was already in debt, and had no money to help feed starving citizens. The personal desire for something extravagant combined with the domineering effect of personalized power was the cause of corruption for Marie Antoinette.

                Power has a drug-like effect on humans. Some may describe it as intoxicating, and feel a rush of excitement from even the tiniest tastes of power. Once power has been embedded into the human system it creates the need to gain more. Scientists have discovered the feeling of power is similar to the effects of cocaine. The rush of power increases testosterone and in turn leads to raised dopamine levels, also known as the brain’s reward system and is very addictive. This effect is also obtained when humans consume cocaine. Too much dopamine leads to arrogance and impatience as well as many other negative effects. This excess amount of dopamine is why people with power act impulsively and outlandishly. The addictive side effect of power evokes negative behaviour much like a drug addict with no drugs to consume. The negative behaviour and the addictiveness of power is what cause corruption to power holders.

                Power may arguably be a human’s most vicious enemy. It can boost the negative side of human nature; the desire to want more, and can have similar effects as a dangerous drug. While there are two types of power, personalized power is the more domineering type and humans are easily susceptible by it. Many leaders start off with good intentions but due to the extreme power on their hands they are lured to the dark side. It is indisputable that power always corrupts the one who holds it. 

Violence Can Bring Positive Change- REVISED

                                  Violence Can Bring Positive Change                    Melissa Lin

George Orwell once said, “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

When the word “violence” is uttered the first things that many think of are negative. It is common to picture fighting, blood, and death. Is that all violence is? The word violence has been misconstrued for it is only ever used to describe horrid fights or rebellions but there are always two sides to a story. Despite the common misconception of violence and its negative effects it actually has the ability to bring about positive changes.

   Violence is not just inflicting pain; it is also a sign that shows you when things need to be changed. Only when you get hurt do you realize that something is wrong, for example the Egyptian Rebellion in 2011. The Egyptians had many reasons to rebel, but one of the major factors was the safety of the people.  They had brutal police forces that beat the peaceful protestors unconscious. When the string of attacks became continuous the people of Egypt realized something was wrong. People who were supposed to protect them from dangers were the ones inflicting violence to innocent citizens. The violent attacks on the people were a sign to the citizens that they needed a change, and through a rebellion the positive change came. The President resigned and the brutal police force attacks have come to an end.

   Violence is the most effective way of getting the public’s message across. The French Revolution is a perfect example. Due to the corrupt government, French citizens were starving, in debt, and had no say in the wellbeing of the country. When Marie Antoinette was informed about her citizens asking for food, she did nothing to help them. The French citizens were furious, and decided it was time for a serious change. Several years later, when the revolution began Marie Antoinette’s head was severed. This act of violence displayed the hatred and disapproval of Marie, and heeded a warning to the next person in ruling. The public used the violent act of beheading their ruler to demonstrate the anger in the country.

  Another example of violence bringing positive change is the Lower and Upper Canadian rebellions. For many years, the colonists had no say in government and were ruled by oligarchies who only wanted to benefit themselves. They asked for change by writing a list of grievances, and the British denied them. The answer displeased the colonists, and rebellions broke out. They used violence to display their message of wanting a democratic government system. Although, the colonists did not win the rebellions, their voices were heard. Today, in present day society a democratic system of government is currently running. This freedom  to vote and have a say in government would not have been present if the colonists did not use violence to get their voices heard and message across.

     Violence should not always be looked at as the criminal; it does more than just inflicting pain on others. History is full of violence, but without those violent battles we could not be living as comfortable as we are today. The acts of violence can heed us a warning that things need to change, it is an effective method to get the public's message heard. Misconstrued and shamed, violence has always been looked at from a negative angle. Think about what this "awful"  violence  has brought us, a democracy, safer living environments, and freedom. Step back and view this violence from another angle and it is evident that violence can bring positive change.