Comments on: Balancing idealism and realism http://akhilak.com/blog/2010/03/21/balancing-idealism-and-realism/ By Akhila K. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Akhila http://akhilak.com/blog/2010/03/21/balancing-idealism-and-realism/#comment-3427 Akhila Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:11:00 +0000 http://akhilak.com/blog/?p=745#comment-3427 Thanks for the comment! I will definitely think about this problem further. It's not easy to balance our lofty goals/hopes/ideals/dreams with the day to day hard work and reality of what needs to be done to achieve our long term visions. I'm no expert on balance, but if I find any effective solutions, I will definitely write a post on it! Thanks for the comment! I will definitely think about this problem further. It’s not easy to balance our lofty goals/hopes/ideals/dreams with the day to day hard work and reality of what needs to be done to achieve our long term visions. I’m no expert on balance, but if I find any effective solutions, I will definitely write a post on it!

]]> By: Aucunknowntruths http://akhilak.com/blog/2010/03/21/balancing-idealism-and-realism/#comment-3426 Aucunknowntruths Sun, 31 Oct 2010 15:27:00 +0000 http://akhilak.com/blog/?p=745#comment-3426 I hope you do succeed in finding balance. I too am looking to balance my 'lofty' goals with the realisms of being a medical student and the path to being a doctor. I hope you continue to explore this idea further, especially on the blog, because I would love to see more insights on this difficult subject. May you be at peace. I hope you do succeed in finding balance. I too am looking to balance my ‘lofty’ goals with the realisms of being a medical student and the path to being a doctor. I hope you continue to explore this idea further, especially on the blog, because I would love to see more insights on this difficult subject. May you be at peace.

]]> By: Akhila http://akhilak.com/blog/2010/03/21/balancing-idealism-and-realism/#comment-2566 Akhila Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:02:10 +0000 http://akhilak.com/blog/?p=745#comment-2566 I think "justice" is such a broad concept - there are so many meanings. There is social justice, 'legal' justice, distributive justice...and so on. So I think there are obviously countless ways to work towards 'justice' whether you're directly assisting someone, working on broader policy reform, writing and exposing the truth, or teaching. I want to do law because I see so many ways in which law can empower people and improve their lives. I see so many flaws in the criminal justice and immigration systems of our country and indeed around the world, that need to be remedied. I want to play a role in directly assisting someone, thus being a part of advancing social justice. But I also think there are other ways to use teaching or education to improve lives - you just have to adopt the 'social justice' mindset if you're going to do so - that is, teach something practical or make sure that your students develop a passion for social change. I think that route is almost harder because I've personally given up on trying to make people care..most people simply never will. And personally, I don't want to deal with that and...it's a hard job to take on :) good luck! I think “justice” is such a broad concept – there are so many meanings. There is social justice, 'legal' justice, distributive justice…and so on. So I think there are obviously countless ways to work towards 'justice' whether you're directly assisting someone, working on broader policy reform, writing and exposing the truth, or teaching. I want to do law because I see so many ways in which law can empower people and improve their lives. I see so many flaws in the criminal justice and immigration systems of our country and indeed around the world, that need to be remedied. I want to play a role in directly assisting someone, thus being a part of advancing social justice. But I also think there are other ways to use teaching or education to improve lives – you just have to adopt the 'social justice' mindset if you're going to do so – that is, teach something practical or make sure that your students develop a passion for social change. I think that route is almost harder because I've personally given up on trying to make people care..most people simply never will. And personally, I don't want to deal with that and…it's a hard job to take on :) good luck!

]]> By: nayoung http://akhilak.com/blog/2010/03/21/balancing-idealism-and-realism/#comment-2564 nayoung Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:20:04 +0000 http://akhilak.com/blog/?p=745#comment-2564 You make a really good point that being realistic doesn't mean giving up your idealistic vision. It means putting it into action! <br><br>After having read this, it seems to me like we're both working for justice, but in very different ways. After taking Ethics, i learned two things (besides the actual philosophies of ethics): education is the beginning of justice, and law is the enactment of that justice. This is why for a while, i was interested in both and had trouble choosing between the two, but i ultimately chose education because i thought i'd personally find more fulfillment in teaching. In a way, i guess education is the idealistic path to justice and law is the realistic path. Maybe this just means i'm trapped in my idealistic self? :P You make a really good point that being realistic doesn't mean giving up your idealistic vision. It means putting it into action!

After having read this, it seems to me like we're both working for justice, but in very different ways. After taking Ethics, i learned two things (besides the actual philosophies of ethics): education is the beginning of justice, and law is the enactment of that justice. This is why for a while, i was interested in both and had trouble choosing between the two, but i ultimately chose education because i thought i'd personally find more fulfillment in teaching. In a way, i guess education is the idealistic path to justice and law is the realistic path. Maybe this just means i'm trapped in my idealistic self? :P

]]> By: Akhila http://akhilak.com/blog/2010/03/21/balancing-idealism-and-realism/#comment-2556 Akhila Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:49:07 +0000 http://akhilak.com/blog/?p=745#comment-2556 You're so right - always easier said than done. Thanks for the good luck and I hope you achieve all your dreams in the fight for social change & journalism too ;) You're so right – always easier said than done. Thanks for the good luck and I hope you achieve all your dreams in the fight for social change & journalism too ;)

]]> By: Meenal Vamburkar http://akhilak.com/blog/2010/03/21/balancing-idealism-and-realism/#comment-2555 Meenal Vamburkar Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:58:58 +0000 http://akhilak.com/blog/?p=745#comment-2555 Balance is definitely key--but always easier said than done. Good luck with everything! =) Balance is definitely key–but always easier said than done. Good luck with everything! =)

]]> By: Akhila http://akhilak.com/blog/2010/03/21/balancing-idealism-and-realism/#comment-2553 Akhila Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:24:07 +0000 http://akhilak.com/blog/?p=745#comment-2553 This is so true. Things can change SO much in just two years, and I have no idea who I'll be or what I'll be passionate about after two years. All we can do now is to work towards our dreams and passions while choosing things that appeal to us today. I realized how hard it is to balance all my huge dreams because I had to turn down an AMAZING opportunity for another one... and it was definitely tough. But I just hope I made a good decision.<br><br>I definitely want to get out there and do all the things I've missed out on! I took the time recently to explore Chicago and go to all the places I haven't been in the past few years. It was great! I definitely want to spend as much time as I can with my friends before I leave. I want to make the most of my university, since it's the last time I'll have there.<br><br>Thank you! I'm excited too and I hope the next two years will help me hone down what I would like to do in the long run. This is so true. Things can change SO much in just two years, and I have no idea who I'll be or what I'll be passionate about after two years. All we can do now is to work towards our dreams and passions while choosing things that appeal to us today. I realized how hard it is to balance all my huge dreams because I had to turn down an AMAZING opportunity for another one… and it was definitely tough. But I just hope I made a good decision.

I definitely want to get out there and do all the things I've missed out on! I took the time recently to explore Chicago and go to all the places I haven't been in the past few years. It was great! I definitely want to spend as much time as I can with my friends before I leave. I want to make the most of my university, since it's the last time I'll have there.

Thank you! I'm excited too and I hope the next two years will help me hone down what I would like to do in the long run.

]]> By: Akhila http://akhilak.com/blog/2010/03/21/balancing-idealism-and-realism/#comment-2552 Akhila Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:18:44 +0000 http://akhilak.com/blog/?p=745#comment-2552 I certainly hope you stick to your idealism. I'm still idealistic, but I also feel the need to balance those hopes and dreams with some concrete career path and some stability. So, the challenge is finding something in the middle. Something that will allow me to dream big but also allow me to accomplish my goals in the short-run. I certainly hope you stick to your idealism. I'm still idealistic, but I also feel the need to balance those hopes and dreams with some concrete career path and some stability. So, the challenge is finding something in the middle. Something that will allow me to dream big but also allow me to accomplish my goals in the short-run.

]]> By: Grace Boyle http://akhilak.com/blog/2010/03/21/balancing-idealism-and-realism/#comment-2551 Grace Boyle Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:58:22 +0000 http://akhilak.com/blog/?p=745#comment-2551 I really like how you talk about being a senior gives you the chance to "distill." I remember feeling that way. Although it was only two years ago, mountains have been moved and life has been changed soo much. <br><br>I think being a graduating senior is so fulfilling. I was in high-gear, I did all the things I had been waiting to do because I knew it had to be done this last semester in college, I kept learning and I finally realized that this isn't the peak of my education, just a piece of it and that the horizon really is vast. <br><br>Good luck with the last semester. I'm so excited for you :) I really like how you talk about being a senior gives you the chance to “distill.” I remember feeling that way. Although it was only two years ago, mountains have been moved and life has been changed soo much.

I think being a graduating senior is so fulfilling. I was in high-gear, I did all the things I had been waiting to do because I knew it had to be done this last semester in college, I kept learning and I finally realized that this isn't the peak of my education, just a piece of it and that the horizon really is vast.

Good luck with the last semester. I'm so excited for you :)

]]> By: Meenal http://akhilak.com/blog/2010/03/21/balancing-idealism-and-realism/#comment-2550 Meenal Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:38:47 +0000 http://akhilak.com/blog/?p=745#comment-2550 Aw, I'm glad you see that being realistic doesn't mean you give up your passions. My own idealism is going pretty strong, but I have a feeling I'll be singing a different tune this time next year... Aw, I'm glad you see that being realistic doesn't mean you give up your passions. My own idealism is going pretty strong, but I have a feeling I'll be singing a different tune this time next year…

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