Walt Whitman Poem Number 1

I loafe and invite my soul,

I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.

My tongue, every atom of my blood form'd from this soil, this air,

Born here of parents born here from parents the same and their parents the same

I believe what Walt Whitman is trying to explain by this quote is the little things in life that he enjoys. He is very much in love with his surroundings, especially nature. He finds happiness in the simplest of things such as a single spear of grass. He not only understands his role in society, but he also understands that he is just a very microscopic part of life that the world experiences. There all kinds of small components that contribute to making a person who they are. The tiniest little atoms of blood and the smallest piece of soil make everything what they are. Without these little components, the complex item cannot truly have its full identity. Without his long line of family, he himself would not be living today. His ancestors have laid the foundation of life for him, and now because of them he is able to reach his own identity. I believe Walt Whitman wants us to question the littlest things in life that contribute to us living a happy and healthy life. Do we really appreciate all the small things we are given in life? If we think about it, the smallest things are what truly makes a life priceless. 

My Father and his Profound Impact

When I was first born, it was not long until my Dad begun putting a baseball mit in my hand. My dad had one vision for my older brother and I, baseball players. He immediately started putting stuff in my left hand hoping one day I would turn into an alright left handed player. Unfortunately for him I turned out to be a right handed thrower but this was still alright for him, as all he really wanted was to watch my brother grow into baseball players and have as much fun doing it as he did. Baseball is very important to my family. My dad and my uncle grew up in a very competitive household where they were always trying to outdo each other in any baseball talent they had. He then went on and pitched at Pepperdine University where he probably did a lot more of baseball than he did of studying haha. My father has helped mold me not only as a baseball player but as a person as well. He has always taught me to make wise choices and work harder than anyone else on the baseball field. If you work hard in baseball, eventually when the time on the field ends, that hard work will carry over into something else and eventually you will be successful. I will never forget when I was about seven years old I told my dad I wanted to quit baseball because I was afraid the pitcher would hit me with the ball. Thankfully my dad instilled in me that quitting because you are scared is never an option. It is always so important that you work hard, and you are fearless when doing anything in life. My father has done so much for me and I could not be more thankful, because of him, I have learned that there is so much meaning in life beyond just the game of baseball itself.