~ “Normal is not something to aspire to, it’s something to get away from.” (Jodie Foster) ~
It is difficult trying to comprehend that all humans have common characteristics about them. Imagining that I am the same as a murderer, a vegetarian, a senior citizen, a high school drop out, a Nobel prize winner, and a human on the other side of the world is mind-boggling. But the reality is, that although every single person on the earth may have different values, appearances, and languages, every person has things about them that classify them as human beings. These things are the qualities we all have, that are independent of culture or beliefs.
The reason people don’t realize we have certain qualities about us that make us human, is because some people don’t exhibit all of the same qualities. They are all present within us, its just that people either don’t have the opportunity to express them, or they choose to hide them. Qualities like patience, kindness, courage, jealousy, acceptance, honesty, dishonesty, respect, tolerance, shame, joy, frustration, anger, guilt, love, insecurity, and skill can all be found in regular day life. There are both positive and negative qualities that come across, but this is mostly influenced by situation.
What’s more interesting, is that human qualities aren’t only discovered in your own life. It can be analyzed through fictional characters in movies, song lyrics, and literature. An amazing film I have seen, that is a great example of how when people change, different qualities become evident, is P.S. I Love You.
Even in this short clip, you can see the emotions expressed by the main character, Holly Kennedy, and the situation she is put through. Pushed to move on by the letters her late husband left for her, Holly must rediscover herself and find happiness in her life once again. Throughout the show, Holly struggles with insecurity, shame, grief, love, patience, happiness, faith, courage, honesty, guilt, and finally, acceptance. And more importantly, even though Holly is an American, lives in a big city, and was married to an Irish man, it has no affect on the qualities she has as a human.
A page-turning novel I have read recently, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, also shows the qualities humans, and those who were once humans, possess. I don’t think I have ever felt as many different feelings within a time period of my own life, compared to what was expressed through the writing in this book. Struggling to be together, Bella, a mere human, and Edward, a vampire, send readers through a roller-coaster of emotion. Although both are completely different, like many people around the world during various periods of history, they both exhibit similar characteristics that exist because of their personalities and human instincts. It just shows that any two people can share emotions like jealousy, sadness, and excitement, as well as qualities like patience and acceptance, that make them human.
Not familiar with this author or novel? Check it out and be prepared to be mesmerized!
By: Anonymous on April 1, 2008 
