No Ordinary Moments by Sarah

No Ordinary Moments by Sarah - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

While pulling books off the shelf in my dad’s cabin on a snowy day, I came across an interesting book that showed a guy immersed in his own shadow on the cover. Feeling unsure about where I was in life at age 30, I read the synopsis, and was on the couch snuggled in for the rest of the afternoon. Feeling a bit like Bastian in The Never Ending Story, I was deeply immersed in the book by the time my dad came home that evening. I wondered why my dad had not thought to share this book with me when I was 17 years old, and about to embark into the world.

Way of the Peaceful Warrior, written by Dan Millman is an essential read for any high school senior because it is rich with young adult themes, valuable insights, and excellent literary concepts. At this age students are vulnerable, and seeking information on how to navigate their way in the world. The powerful transformation that the protagonist undergoes in this book helps the reader identify how courage and self confidence give a person the tools they need to successfully navigate life approaching early twenties. The book is set in the 1960’s during a time of heightened world atrocities, and young adults seeking personal empowerment.

The author begins by introducing Dan Millman, a vibrant young male in the height of his college career as a world-champion gymnast who is passionate about making it to the Olympics. In addition, to themes regarding first love, and choosing a career path, self discovery is explored through personal conflict. On the surface, Dan has everything any young adult could want - he is good looking, is popular, achieves stellar grades, has women seeking his attention, has plenty of money, and is in great physical shape. Yet, there is something missing. One restless night, Dan wakes up and decides to calm his nerves by taking a walk. In the dark night, the only light seems to be coming from a nearby gas station. Dan approaches, and encounters an old man whom he names Socrates. There is something mysterious about Socrates. Dan states to himself, “it’s as if he can read my mind”. From the start, Dan realizes his encounter with Socrates is not an ordinary moment.

Dan’s ability to discover powerful insights into his life are influenced by the conversations that Socrates evokes between them. While responding to some of Socrates questions, Dan realizes that “life brought rewards, but no lasting peace or satisfaction”. Leaving high school young adults are easily swayed into believing that if they achieve “X,Y & Z” they will be happy. Yet Dan’s experience says otherwise. Through the many conversations born in a dimly lit gas station office, Socrates teases out the inner struggles that Dan is hiding. With global issues ranging from war, to impoverished health and environmental degradation, expenses for college, lack of quality jobs, autism, competition, and bullying it can feel intimidating to step into the world as a graduating senior.

Socrates name alone suggests wisdom, and through the Socratic Method teachers can guide their students to discover what they need to be successful post high school. Through open ended questions Socrates guides Dan into realizing his maximum potential as a peaceful warrior. Using the Socratic Method in the classroom also creates an opportunity for students to practice critical thinking skills. This story is rich with literary concepts. Written in the first person point of view, it gives teenagers a look into the mind of a character that is near their age. This perspective enriches the experience of the young adult reader as they relate to the many whirling emotions that surface in this time of life. When Socrates asks Dan to sit and meditate until he can tell him something worth value. The inner dialogue of Dan’s rebellious mind is very near to that of any teenager who does not want to, or does not know how to do something that is being asked of them. If asked to read between the lines, students will grasp metaphors, allegories and other symbolic devices used by the author to reveal lessons that Dan encounters.

I believe many young adults will benefit from realizing, “there are no ordinary moments, a warrior acts; only a fool reacts, and life is about choice”. I believe that the lessons in this book prepare any young adult with the courage and self confidence required to embark into their twenties. This book rouses us from apathy, and makes us think about who we are and who we want to become.