3. Angelou says she doesn't even like to talk about her bad dreams because talking about them "gives them too much power." Do you think talking about bad dreams or bad news or other bad things (or feeding into the "drama" at school or in life) gives those bad things more power? When have you know this to happen?
Yes I definitely agree that talking about these things, or even thinking about them in some cases, gives them way too much power. Especially with drama. A lot of people will say things like "I hate drama", but they continue to let it consume their lives. I think just staying away from it, and from people who let them surround their lives, is the key to getting away from it. By talking about it you are giving it more reason to exist. If you push it away, and refuse to give even the thought of it the time of day it can't affect you.
5. After going through a major trauma at age seven, Angelou didn't talk for almost five years. Could you live this way? Do you talk too much or too little? What could you learn if you listened more and spoke less? How could you grow as a person by speaking more?
I don't think I could live that way. I'm way too talkative, however I can't say for sure how I would act if I had faced the same obstacles she did. If you sat back and listened to what people had to say more than talking, a thing I have trouble with, I think you would gain so much more knowledge about people, their lives, and just the world in general. At the same time, I feel it is important to speak up and voice your opinions. Without sharing your thoughts and letting others know how you feel about certain issues you will have trouble making an impact on things you wish to change.
7.Angelou says she often has "total recall" of the events in her life. Are you a person who remembers everything or someone who remembers almost nothing? Which is better to be? Which periods or times in your life are clearest? Fuzziest? Do you have beter recall of the times you consider happy or the ones you consider sad or embarrassing or uncomfortable or humorous?
I would say I remember at least 75% of my life. I think it is much better to remember everything because I feel you will gain more knowledge from the people and experiences you can remember. Even small details you pick up from conversations you've had may end up being something you can connect to something you go through later in life. However, if you don't remember everything I think there are benefits to that as well. I think it would be nice to not remember a negative comment about a place or a person I heard in a conversation and be able to talk make my own judgement. I think the clearest part of my life would probably be ages 14-18, just because they have been the most recent. However, I do have a pretty good recollection of elementary and middle school as well. The parts I don't remember too well are just the average days that have no importance. When I'm on those days I kind of feel like I'm just on autopilot, not really paying attention to whats around me. I remember the happy and sad days equally because I feel like those serve the most purpose.
I know just what you mean about those days on "autopilot" and it's a little sad/overwhelming to think how many of those we accumulate throughout our lives. I also think you're right about people claiming to "hate drama" but continually feeding into it. Seems like some people have nothing else to do or talk about.
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