History.
Yep. You all probably have seen that word before. You probably remember or are taking classes that are about history. Crazy right?
"I mean really, why do we even look at history?
They're all dead!"
*internally thinks, "is this offensive? Nah, just put it in"*
This was something a student told me a while ago. I had to contain myself in that moment, but it took all my willpower to not burst out laughing. The way how kids think and come up with stuff is amazing and hilarious.
However, after they had all gone to lunch, it really got me thinking. Why do we study history? They are, for the most part, dead. I mean, Old Julius Caesar's body would probably still have all the dagger holes in it if he wasn't burned.
Wait!! Why was he burned?
Ah. And that is history. I love those why questions. You see, most of those people that we study in history are dead and have been gone for sometime. However, take a look at this word - HISTORY.
HISTORY --- HIS STORY - yeah, I guess that is just a cheesy thing we history people love to say to get others interested in history. haha. - most of the time this doesn't work :)
But, what if I were to tell you, that history is about other peoples stories. What if I said it was about individuals. About Human Beings and their struggle to survive.
But why are they struggling?
Yes. History is a puzzle. It's like the biggest jigsaw puzzle ever created. But the most fascinating part of the puzzle are the people who lived in these historical moments. Those who were alive for such times as these.
You know the best and worst part about people. WE ARE ALL FLAWED. Crazy, I know. But, isn't it reassuring that we aren't the only ones who screw up and make mistakes in life?
Look at George Washington for example. We who live in the US, myself included, often look up to this god-like figure. We set him up on this marble pedestal and call him one of our Founding Fathers.
Washington...
I shake my head sometimes and laugh at this, especially when I realize I'm doing this to historical figures.
To go on with my example, let me tell you a few things about Old Georgie.
George Washington attacked a group of French Diplomats in May of 1754 - Jumonville Incident
This started the French and Indian War - sure the war would have happened anyway, but Washington was the first one to lead the soldiers that fired some of the first shots.
Then Old Georgie got trapped at Fort Necessity in July of 1754. Surrender
This of course screwed up a lot of stuff :)
George did not have a good start to his military career.
Then of course, we jump forward in time. Then there was the Battle of Long Island, NY.
This was in late 1776, after the Declaration of Independence - the greatest break up letter ever.
Then there was the winter of 1776. The American Revolution - the rebellion - was over. Pretty much at least. Washington had lost every battle and was retreating like a whipped dog. The Generals who aided him did not exactly support him. And the biggest problem was the american soldiers, whose enlistments would be over in eleven days. They were on the brink. On the line. And they took a deadly risk. The Crossing
Yeah. Washington had a lot of problems. He was slave owner too - not gonna really get into that discussion. However, he deeply cared for his men. He loved his country. He would have given his life for the Cause. He never gave up. Despite hardship, impossible odds, and oh yes - certain death if he failed (probably hanged or worse), George Washington led his people and by some miracle we won the war after eight long years. Throughout all of that time, Washington always seemed on the brink of destruction. Eventually, he started succeeding. Victories started happening.
Yorktown happened. And Victory in the War for Independence was secured. Washington did succeed, despite impossible odds. He overcame the impossible. He deeply cared for his friends. I mean look at what happened when he resigned as commander of the Continental Army, at the end of the war when so many loved and adored him:
Do you get it now? Why we study history? Why it's important. The other aspect would be learning from it (the whole "those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it" saying).
But this. It's relatable. How many of us have faced seemingly impossible odds, and overcome them? Or are right now facing the impossible? How many of us have had life beaten us down like a ragdoll?
I assure you, every historical figure out there. Well really, anyone who lived in a different time period, is relatable to you in someway. You have the internet. Just google it. :) :)
I encourage you to find that historical figure or person that is relatable, and to know them. To understand why they did what they did. To know the problems they faced in every day life. Was it a disability or handicap? Was it anxiety? Was it fear? And most importantly learn what happened to them. Don't focus on how they died or that they are dead now. Know and tell the story of how they lived.
@ 5:55
History is truly fascinating. It's like the lore from some fantasy book. It is so intricate and huge. It is full of depraved people, overcoming impossible things; yet, for the most part screwing up and failing tremendously. This is seen throughout all history.
But there is Hope. For those who seek it:
“It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end… because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing… this shadow. Even darkness must pass.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers --- link
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