How Images Affect Us

Throughout our lives there are certain things that truly affect us; people, events, a dream we once had, even something as simple as an image we once saw can impact our lives, causing us to think about things differently. Maybe you watched a scary movie once where a monster lived under a child's bed and now at night you can't help but think of that monster when you lay in bed at night. I bring this up because this week's topic in my English class is what image has had an impact on our life. While my example is of a monster under a child's bed, that's far from the type of image that makes a lasting impression on my mind.

An image that would have the power to leave an impression on my mind would have to be somewhat personal, which is where this image comes into play:

If you can't tell, the man in this picture is in the hospital with cancer, but when I look at this picture I see someone who is on top of the world and still has his whole life to live, even if fighting an uphill battle. This image embodies strength, power, and also courage, because I know from firsthand experience without those qualities, the journey through this illness is impossible. 

Words don't depict what this image does. There are only so many words in existence, but when you look at a picture, no words are needed . It's as if you can feel what the person in the picture is feeling. Maybe you don't feel what he is, but then again, who can but he? No one knows exactly what it feels like to be him, looking out at the city. No one knows what it feels like to be me, except for me. We all are our own person. We all only understand ourselves best. 

I do know how he feels, though. I've been in the same position in my own hospital room, peering out the window at the city surrounding me, surveying my own world, with my own life I've only begun to live.