Criminal Masterminds

For Sara

Our question delt with critical listening. Essentially, it said that we are taught how to think and read critically, but what does it mean to listen critically. Additionaly, how do we balance listening to the voices of the masses versus our own internal voice. Looking back now, this essay sucks and I can't believe they gave me as much money as they did. I must be a good interview. Here goes:


“Follow your parts,” was all the band director ever said before he started a recording of some college band playing the song we were working on. Follow your parts. This task requires the band member to pick out their own instrument, amongst a dozen or so others. The same can be said for listening critically to one’s life, picking out the one voice that calls to each individual amongst many others shouting around them. At the same time, one must look to the piece as a whole to find guidance as to where one fits in the grand scheme of things.
I spent the last four years of my life attempting to make sense of these voices as I began my search for an occupation. Many around me told me exactly which fields to pursue, anywhere from medicine to mortuary science. “You’ll make good money doing this, you’ll gain a good reputation doing that.” Such aspects may be important to some extent, however they become a sort of disease, prohibiting one to pursue their calling, if such standards become all the individual lives by. In order to live a complete life, one must look to that which brings a sense of self, that which completes the person. As a compassionate debater with a knack for knowing my limitations, I found myself naturally drawn to law. While I realize this now it wasn’t always so easy for me to accept. Late nights and angry people? No thanks, I’ll become a scientist. The study of law presented me with an opportunity to pursue my passion, defending those unable to do so themselves. Once I overcame my obstinate self, I succumbed to the calling, the one voice out of many telling me to do otherwise.
Once one learns what their part is, one must look to those around them to find where one fits in accordance with the world around them. This involves input from many different sources. As a child we learn from our parents what we can and cannot do in public. As we get older, teachers, coaches, grandparents, and other mentors join our parents in guiding us as we attempt to figure out life for ourselves. Older still, we begin to rely more on peers and less on mentors. Throughout life, I continue to find that the more I think I know, the less I really know. It is the people around me, mentors and peers, who correct, me guide me, and shape me into the person I am. To some extent, it is those around me who enable me to listen to myself. As headstrong as I can sometimes be, their voices check my obstinance, and listening to their voices, strengthens m ability to find and listen to my own.
Band teaches one many things, the most important being listening skills. The ability to listen objectively and analyze one’s own part, as well as the parts of others, so that everything comes together harmoniously. Such is life, listening to ourselves and others in a manner that allows us to live together, teaching and learning from each other to achieve the best of our potential.

posted by Rianna @ 12:54 AM