John Setnicar

Per. 7

Meaning In Life

It is very easy for us to become wrapped up in our daily routines.  In a sense some of us live like Sisyphus, because we may be slave to our monotonous schedules.  It is true that no one is subject to the fate quite like this mythical character, in that he cannot escape the prison that the Gods put him in, but many people may find that they are doing the same things every day at a dead end job.  In addition, this could be especially true for students, because we go to school every day, in the same classrooms, with the same people, with the same teachers, with no hope of change, or at least for the time being.  I think that when we find ourselves in ruts like these, like Sisyphus, we need to find happiness in the smaller things. 

I believe that when we are in school bored out of our minds there are definitely still moments of happiness in the day to look forward to.  For me pre-calculus and AP Environmental Science are the least compelling classes of the day and they are my first classes.  I feel that once they end, I have finished rolling Sisyphus’s boulder up the hill and at this point I can watch it roll down as my schedule improves from there.   Granted I am still bor ed, but the anxious await for eighth period lunch is enough to give me strength to get through the day.  I usually eat the same meal every day, but I usually look forward to the social gathering more so than satiating my hunger. 

Thus, in conclusion anyone’s day or life can seem very boring, but it is how we perceive our existence and what we make of it that truly matters.  Mersault’s life does not seem appealing to me, but so far I do not detect any indication that he is unhappy so who am I to judge?  Sisyphus’s is doomed to a world of an eternal routine, but even  he can find happiness in certain moments.  If he of all people can try to make the best of his situation ,than so can we.