So, over my Christmas break I decided to read Dear John by Nicholas Sparks for, like, the hundredth time. But this time I read it, it kind of had an affect on me more than any other time. Dear John tells the tale of a classic summer love story, ruined by the hardships of long distances and military life. Nothing too out of the ordinary for a Nicholas Sparks book, right?? Wrong. To me, this story had an underlying message: don't settle for anything half-ass in life. When Savannah and John fell madly in love, I knew they were meant to be together forever. But Savannah was too weak to endure a relationship with a soldier, so she left him for a man whom she thought she loved more. In my opinion, this is the most heartbreaking idea in the world: things not going as planned.This idea can greatly relate to my life because I am so afraid of not reaching my full potential in every way, shape, and form in my life. When I am eighty years old, I wanna say that I did everything right and wouldn't change a thing. I think this is how most people view their lives, so why did Savannah leave her soul mate for someone else just because it was easier? At the end of the novel, the author even reveals that Savannah had loved John all along and ultimately still does! So, I have decided that all throughout my life I am going to make absolutely sure that my 80-year-old self will approve of all of my present choices. Nothing will be the easy way out or half-ass!
"Dark times lie ahead of us and and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right." - Albus Dumbledore
