I feel as though I should preface this blog by stating that this is my very first experience with studying social theory or for that matter, any kind of theory course. With that said, obviously, all of the information that we have discussed in class is absolutely brand new to me and therefore mind blowing to think that there was a time when entire groups of people did not question their ruler in any way for fear of death. They did not concern themselves with personal wants and desires because doing so was seemingly pointless during the time of the Middle Ages. I was instantly interested about learning about how people in society came to possess the morals, values and beliefs that they have. Honestly, I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I had not given much thought about it prior to this class. Now having peeked into the past, I feel as though I have personally taken the lid off of Pandora's box and now there is no turning back to the mind set I possessed before. Perhaps because I am going through a stage in my own personal life where I have slowed myself down long enough to to see the real beauty that simple life has to offer. I now literally take time to smell the roses! That being said I feel as though I most connected with the idea regarding the "Enlightenment Era". As I find myself in a period of "enlightenment" following a tumultuous seven year relationship. I was able to identify with how the Europeans' minds changed and evolved so drastically after the reign of oppression that the kingdoms and churches of the Middle Ages held over them as discussed in our reading titled" The Prophets of Paris: Saint-Simon and Comte", written by Collins and Makosky(2010.) Life was described as "the physical hardships being scarcely imaginable", and that "people knew their places only because they were kept in them". I empathized with them because I understand how it feels to be restricted in personal growth and led to believe in a certain set of "rules" and that they were to be obeyed and how any deviation of said "rules" would be punishable, just as the Europeans were restricted in their ability to think for themselves by the laws governed by the kingdoms and churches of their time. After the King's power was overthrown, the people were free to build a new order that was based on principles of reason and justice, which is exactly how I feel now that I am free of my "oppressor". I related to the Europeans because I too understand how important and life altering the "Enlightenment" period is, I feel as though I am now able to think for myself and make decisions based on what is best for me and my family versus abiding by the rules of a tyrant. Shortly after my "release", I found it hard to grasp the concept that I could do and say what I felt because I was so used to only being allowed to think, feel and speak according to the will of someone else. Now that I am "free", everyday is a new discovery that requires me to think, "what are my likes, dislikes and beliefs", I feel as though my life has just begun and that my possibilities are endless now that I am able to make my own personal choices, much like how the European people felt after they were granted their freedom to do so as well. I am very excited to learn about where it all began and how society has evolved into how it is today! I chose this image to express my personal representation of how it feels to be free of the blinders placed upon me by someone else and truly find myself enlightened by the thoughts of my own future!!!
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