Journal 4- Theodore Persinger

The photo in Holding On that most accurately describes the story is the photo before the profile of Donald Bean. The photo shows him standing near one of his dinosaurs, but as the viewer looks closer we can see his mouth slightly open as if he plans on speaking. yet his eyes are relaxed and not strained onto a single point. His outfit is lain perfectly on his frame perfectly expressing his personality. his hand is placed on one of his fiberglass dinosaurs, but it is not firm planted or even gripping the dinosaur. His hand is simply laying on a spine, he is not leaning but simply laying his hand on the dinosaur to show the audience that he is associated with it. This all combines to give the viewer a look on a child. Even though he is old and hardly the same height as one, but the photo can be most easily described though a scenario: on Christmas, a child is told to pose for a picture by their parents. The photo will be sent to the grandparents top show them what stuff they got and how excited they are. The child is interrupted from his glee to stand near the gift and wait while the picture is taken. His mind is on the gift and waits awkwardly while the picture is taken with their best Christmas gift. This scenario is what best describes Donald Bean in the photo. The profile is hinged on the ideas of wonder and eternal childhood. The picture featured for the profile gives an idea of Donald Bean when he wore a younger boys clothes.

The idea that I find myself holding on to is the importance of personal time. This idea is important to me. Too often are we caught up in how much money can be made and what kind of stiff we could afford but in truth all we need is free time to be happy. Studies have shown that material possessions do not contribute as much to happiness as free time does. This time is used for yourself, whether it be hobbies or watching shows or even sleeping it helps improve your overall well being. It seems obvious to everyone but what we forget is that happiness is not a destination or something to have in the future. It something that can be in the present and that your life is happening right now and we shouldn't wait until we have "arrived" to truly enjoy enjoy our free time. This is important to me because so often now people's values are misplaced and we should take into account not only income and impact for our careers but even more so how much personal time you need to function and prosper.

                                             
whatever makes you whole is what you should spend your extra time doing if you are not fulfilled elsewhere