Why Do We Fall

Why Do We Fall Reflecting on the lessons of last semester, I knew I was going to have to kick it into high gear for my 6.042 exam on Wednesday. I spent all of Monday night from 8pm to 2am studying. I woke up promptly at 7:30 on Tuesday and studied until 11:30am. That night, after juggling through all of my other commitments, I studied from 10pm to 2:30am. Then on Wednesday, I squeezed in some final study time from 10am to 12:30pm before taking the exam at 1pm. I went through all the problems, thinking hard about how to solve them and recalling past problems to guide me. I wrote down everything I knew, tried different things, and came up with what I thought were acceptable answers. I barely finished on time and handed in my exam, semi-confident in my answers, overhearing everyone around me discussing how it was sorta easy. I failed. Badly. Geez, I cant seem to catch a break. Im getting a little tired of the studying harder than I ever had before and still failing. At least I did better than on my 14.02 exam back in December. Its becoming easy to fall into the trap of thinking Im stupid. MIT made a mistake in accepting me. But I often overlook that Im not a unique case. Nearly everyone else at MIT feels hosed and struggles as much as, if not more than I do, even if they dont look like it An important lesson: no matter how screwed you think you are, someone is always going to undercut you and counter your I only got 5 hours of sleep/studied for 8 hours and still failed! with a I only got 3 hours of sleep/studied for 20 hours/went to office hours and still failed!. Regardless of the exact quantities, it seems clear that attempting to defend oneself with a wall of But I did so much of this and that does nothing. So then what do we do? We try again. But then one might say But I keep studying harder and harder and harder for each exam but my scores never get better. I dont know what to do different I feel ya. And it may be different from person to person. I had increased the amount of time I studied tremendously and that didnt help. I switched to studying the text intensively to understand the concepts and that didnt help. It seems that no matter what I try I keep failing. There you go, youre now on your first step to becoming Batman. Yesterday I met with my 6.042 professor and department advisor Albert Meyer to discuss my performance. He told me that my studying was inefficient. My study plan had been rereading every single chapter and going through all the lecture videos and prep problems, thinking that was the way I could best understand everything weve covered. Meyer explained to me that that was a very inefficient use of my time and that I should instead go straight to doing problems and to review the lectures and book only when I got stuck. Doing it this way maximizes the time you spend on problems, which is, surprise, what the exams are made out of. This was a very promising solution, for I spent hours and hours reading text and watching lectures, but when I sat down to do problems, I could barely do any of them without first looking at the solution guide. Its hard for me to admit that my studying is still inefficient after all this time at MIT. But I admit it and that I need to keep growing. My current action plan is to minimize watching lectures and reading the text and instead to practice more problems. Its funny because 6.042 in itself is taught in a flipped classroom style to maximize working on such problems. And all of the 6.042 staff are saying that most students who do badly on the first midterm realize that they dont understand the material and they usually turn things around by the second midterm. I intend to be one of them. I also started thinking about how this translates into the real world and how intentions mean squat if youre not getting it right. Last week, at a leadership training program called UPOP, one of the things we talked about was the Challenger disaster. Afterwards I thought about the idea of being the head engineer and running up to my boss after the disaster proclaiming, But I spent 20 hours studying, went to office hours, and read all the readings, I couldnt have failed? and thinking that excuse would go over well. A little grim, but it really puts things into perspective. This was just an exam. Its basically a simulation. Training. There you go, youre now on your first step to becoming Theodore Roosevelt. So yeah, I guess my point is keep on trekking. Its only gonna get harder, but itll make you stronger if you let it. Work smarter, not harder, but keep working nonetheless. IHTFP.

The Qualities Of A Good Leader - 1694 Words

Leadership is the ability to lead or guide a group or an individual through your footstep and wisdom. Without good leaders to shape and guide, society will become stagnant. A good leader must possess the ability to recognize whatever is fair, good and honest, and to set good example of integrity and morel for others to follow. A good leader must never be opinionative until he or she has accounted for all the possibility and facts before having to make an educated decision. In addition he must be a strong thinker, to be able to think outside the box, meaning to approach decision making situation in an unconventional manner. A good leader is able to dream, have set goals to accomplish and will always gain trust and loyalty of his followers. Alexander the great was able to conquer most of the known world within his short life time as a result of his successful leadership skills. Born in the Pella region of Macedonia on July 20, 356 B.C., Alexander the Great was the son of King Philip II of Macedon and Queen Olympia, daughter of King Neoptolemus. Growing up in the royal court of Pella, Alexander hardly ever saw his father who spent most of his time occupied by military campaigns and affairs. Due to this Alexander grew up with his mother who served as a powerful role model for him and resented his father. â€Å"Alexander received his earliest education under the tutelage of Leonidas, who had been hired by King Phillip to teach Alexander math, horsemanship and archery† (Alexander theShow MoreRelatedThe Quality Of A Good Leader1054 Words   |  5 PagesUnit 5 performance task: The quality of a good leader Let’s imagine a group of twenty people lost on an isolated island with no one to help them. They will have to work together and find a certain organization to survive. But who is going to lead everyone? Who will be the most capable of that? This issue is tearing men for centuries. Kings, generals, presidents, teachers, PDG†¦ All are different, but have something in common: they are leaders. Trough history, many of famous one were born: ChurchillRead MoreQualities Of A Good Leader Essay1563 Words   |  7 Pageshave had the opportunity to experience being a leader. I have experienced democratic leadership through playing high school and college sports, being part of groups in college for class presentations, being a presenter for professional development, being a head varsity coach, and most recently being the winter coordinator, acting Athletic Director, for the high school I am employed. I have learned there are many important qualities in being a good leader. The dictionary defines leadership as â€Å"†¦TheRead MoreQualities Of A Good Leader1961 Words   |  8 PagesLeadership: Qualities of a good leader There are qualities that make a good leader these are being able to undertake the decision making processes; using various different types of techniques to help motivated them team; being able to give feedback to teammates or peers, without being specific using questions, such as â€Å"What angle should your feet be facing?†; a leader has to be able to establish relationships amongst the team, as these relationships are interpersonal; finally a leader needs to beRead MoreThe Qualities Of A Good Leader1287 Words   |  6 PagesJohn Wooden was a visionary leader and undoubtedly one of the greatest coaches in history. Full of anecdotes from past experiences, Wooden on Leadership details the leadership strategies of Wooden. This personal account makes it clear that it wasn t winning games that made him a model leader; it was ensuring that, regardless of the final score, his players grew and put forth their utmost effort. His philosophy regarding leadership not only applies to spo rts, but to life as well. Wooden viewed theRead MoreQualities Of A Good Leader966 Words   |  4 Pageslearn about leadership, we continue to see the importance of having certain qualities. There are differing opinions on what traits hold more importance than others, but in the end, each quality plays a specific role in forming an excellent leader. Three qualities that preform a role in the equation, and that needs strengthened in my own leadership skills, are enthusiasm, persistence and charisma. The first leadership quality that is extremely important to master is showing enthusiasm. In the textRead MoreEssay on Qualities of a Good Leader1619 Words   |  7 PagesQualities of a Good Leader Monkey see monkey do; that is how people in a community follow their leader. They may not follow him or her action for action but in essence they do. If the leader is selfish and greedy then the people will grow selfish and greedy. If a leader is humble and has a mind and heart to serve the people instead of being served, the nature of the people will become more cordial. A leader is tasked with the governing and care of those under him/her, dictionary.com says a leaderRead MoreLeadership Qualities Of A Good Leader864 Words   |  4 PagesIt should be said that not always leaders, who are responsible for some important decisions, are respected by the rest of population. That is why, very often even right and needed solutions cannot be accepted because of the lack of trust which this person has. In coherent society this problem is usually connected with the leadership qualities which a person possesses. Under these conditions, the question of leadership obtains a great importance. Tr ustworthy leader can be more efficient as he/she canRead MoreLeadership Qualities Of A Good Leader Essay997 Words   |  4 Pagesideas and concepts depicting various leadership qualities, and how they apply to a work center or organization. A good leader will be able to effectively use interchangeable combinations of these concepts. As NCOs we strive to be good leaders; authentic and honest leadership is hard to come by. We need to look at ourselves, put ego aside, and take the time to actively work on improving weaknesses. My vision statement is, â€Å"To create and promote good, sustainable leadership for our future, and striveRead MoreQualities Of A Leader And How Leaders Produce Good Outcomes1187 Words   |  5 Pagesability to lead others. Both integrity and courage are a high qualities of character that are essential to excellent leadership over time and are essential to being a resilient leader (Dees, 2013). In order to make guided decisions both integrity and courage are attributes of a resilient leader. This group discussion board will summarize all three concepts in the light of a leader and how leaders produce good outcomes. Being a leader can make a difference in an individual’s life; it helps developRead MoreWhat Qualities Can Be A Good Manager Or Good Leader?2226 Words   |  9 PagesPrinciples of Management What qualities are needed to be a good manager or good leader? There are many differing theories and approaches to defining and understanding management and what makes up a good leader or manager. Some theories believe that individuals were born with a natural instinct to manage or lead people, while other theories believe it is a learned skill through education and or the skills were developed through years of experience. Whereas leadership appears and looks differently

The Philosophical Adventure Of A Mystery Teacher - 1460 Words

Sophie Amundsen realized her ordinary life will never be the same when she begins to receive philosophical lesson from a mystery teacher. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the different life lessons given to Sophie and how the life around us today is completely owed to the early philosophers. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and many other philosophers, although persecuted for their ideas at the time, had ideas that would revolutionize society and they way they learned about the universe. In addition, the philosopher used short stories or anecdotes in order to help Sophie better understand the complex philosophical questions. I will be examining these and providing information on why he chooses to use these anecdotes and how they apply to†¦show more content†¦Although there is nothing wrong with that, some, like the philosopher, chose a different route. When Sophie receives the first note, it simply asked, â€Å"Who are you?† Many may have thrown the note away, but S ophie decided to keep it. She pondered the question for a while, and put some real thought into it. She thought about her appearance; her eyes, her hair, and her frequent dissatisfaction with the way she looked. Other than that, she found it hard the answer the question (pg. 5). I think many struggle with this in general. If you are asked to describe yourself with information other than your physical features, you usually draw a blank. Why is that? Is it possible that too much time is spent carrying out the daily duties, such as work, school, and family that we may not spend enough time on self reflection? Going through the motions of life can keep you occupied, not leaving much room worldly epiphanies. â€Å"You cannot find out whether there is a God or whether there is life after death in an encyclopedia. Nor does the encyclopedia tell us how we ought to live. However, reading what other people have believed can help us formulate our own view of life,† (Gaardner, 2007). 2. Heraclitus and the Flow (Pages 35-38) â€Å"All things flow,† according to Heraclitus, simply meaning everything in the universe is in constant change. â€Å"We cannot step twice into the same river. When I step into the river for the second time, neither I norShow MoreRelatedAlice and Wonderland 20102082 Words   |  9 Pagesrabbit hole her adventure begins. While falling down this whirlwind of fascinating adventure. Alice is placed in a room with a door too small for her to fit through. She is told to indulge the drink to shrink and eat the bread to grow. She goes through the door and then her adventure really begins. Complication Alice encounters complications with every new character she interacts with. Alice herself is a big complication through the movie she has to try and understand the mysteries of wonderlandRead MoreThe Underlying Meaning and Theme in â€Å"Jonathan Livingston Seagull†4964 Words   |  20 Pages 1.1 Richard Bach personality Richard David Bach was born on 23 of June, 1936, Oak Park, Illinois is an American writer. He is widely known as the author of the hugely popular 1970s best-sellers â€Å"Jonathan Livingston Seagull†, â€Å"Illusions†, â€Å"The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah† and others. His books espouse his philosophy that our apparent physical limits and mortality are merely appearance. He claims to be a direct descendant of Johann Sebastian Bach and so-called American variant of the Sent-AntuanRead MoreLife Experiences And Hardships Through Figurative Language1849 Words   |  8 Pages art, and music. Bishop entered Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York from 1930 to 1934. In her last year of college, Bishop graduated, lost her mother to mental illness, met Marianne Moore who later was a big part of her life, and began her adventures traveling. After graduating, Bishop found herself exploring the cultures of Key West, Paris, Mexico, Brazil, North Africa, and Ireland fo r almost two decades. Within that time, Bishop gathered the inspiration to write multiple poems and books toRead MoreJack Londons Naturalism5435 Words   |  22 PagesLondon to produce the most popular and the best piece of fiction he ever wrote. Thus while he gauged his audience accurately in writing a popular account of Darwinian literature, at the same time the novel gave him an opportunity to explore the philosophical ideas which had been fermenting in his mind but which he had not found opportunity to express in full in his fiction.Joan London reports her father as saying that he did not recognize â€Å"the human allegory in the dogs life-and-death struggle toRead More Archimedes of Syracuse Essay3397 Words   |  14 Pagesashes or with his finger would draw lines on his anointed body, being possessed by a great ecstasy and in truth a thrall to the Muses (Dijksterhuis, 13). This passion for mathematics came at a time when philosophical explanations were more dominant. Ginsburg, in his book The Adventure of Science believes that perhaps the first experimental scientist was so strange a sight in the ancient world that people gazed at him in wonder but did not think of following his example (Ginsburg, 59). AdvancementsRead MoreThis Tournament Goes to Eleven4982 Words   |  20 Pagessink my teeth in rascals. For 10 points each: [10] What is this ancient philosophical school whose name means doglike and has come to mean anyone who takes the lowest possible opinion of others motivation? ANSWER: cynics or cynicism [10] What most famous cynic authored that quotation, a man from Sinope who walked with a light looking for an honest man? ANSWER: Diogenes of Sinope [10] This other cynic was the teacher of Stoicism founder Zeno of Citium as well as the husband of HipparchiaRead MoreA Short History of Nearly Everything6112 Words   |  25 PagesHubble, Isaac Newton, and Albert Einstein. Background Bill Bryson wrote this book because he was dissatisfied with his scientific knowledge — that was, not much at all. He writes that science was a distant, unexplained subject at school. 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It was as if [the textbook writer] wanted to keep the good stuff secret by making all of it soberly unfathomable. —Bryson, onRead MoreEssay on Like water for chocolate6961 Words   |  28 PagesJulio Caesar Esquivel, a telephone operator, and Josephina Arau, she attended Escuela Normal de Maestros in Mexico. She married Alfonso Arau, a film director with whom she has one daughter, Sandra. Esquivel and Arau were divorced in 1993. A former teacher who started writing and directing for children’s theater, she now works as a novelist and screenwriter. In addition to Like Water for Chocolate, she has also written three screenplays and several other novels including La Ley del Amor (The LawRead MoreHumanities11870 Words   |  48 Pageslook at more good art. In particular by familiarizing oneself with works of master artists. Over time, you will be able to assess for yourself what is good art and what is bad. It is also a good idea to receive formal instruction from a trained art teacher to cut short the learning curve. Ultimately, the key is to build a database of artistic knowledge and awareness for personal understanding. SOURCE: Basa, R., and Garcia F. (2008). Basic Elements of Humanities. Censen Books and Research Center

Ethical dillemas Free Essays

The ‘Heinz’ Dilemma Date Period Mr. Heinz is ordinarily a law-abiding man. One day, his wife becomes gravely ill. We will write a custom essay sample on Ethical dillemas or any similar topic only for you Order Now Heinz takes her to the doctor, who prescribes a medication for her. She does quite well on this medication and begins to recover. However, Heinz has no insurance and runs out of money quickly paying for this expensive medication. After a few months, he can no longer purchase the medication and his wife begins to take a turn for the worse. One day, he Is in the pharmacy and notices that no one Is behind the counter. The medication is in plain view. Should he steal the medication to help his sick wife? The Old Woman in the Airport You are In the airport, trying to catch a flight that is about to leave. As you run down the crowded corridor, an elderly woman suddenly slips In front of you and falls to the ground with a cry. Doyou stop to help, if you know you will miss your flight because of It? The ‘Trolley Trolley Scenario 1 A trolley Is running out of control down a track. In Its path are 5 people who have been tied to the track by a mad philosopher. Fortunately, you can flip a switch which ill lead the trolley down a different track. unfortunately, there Is a single person tied to that track. Should you flip the switch? Why? Trolley Scenario 2 As before, a trolley Is hurtling down a track towards five people. You are on a bridge under which it will pass, and you can stop it by dropping a heavy weight in front of it. As it happens, there Is a man next to you – your only way to stop the trolley Is to push him over the bridge and onto the track, killing him to save five. Should you proceed? Why? How is this case different from the first? How to cite Ethical dillemas, Papers

Vidofnir, the cock Essay Example

Vidofnir, the cock Paper Norse, Teutonic, or Scandinavian mythology is the collective myths of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland. Norse myths were brought into being during the Viking era, which lasted from 1070 A. D. to 1780 A. D. Our main sources of these myths come from the Icelandic Eddas, including the Prose (Younger) and the Poetic (Elder). The Poetic Edda is comprised of thirty-five poems. The Volsunga saga and the Nibelungenlied are also significant sources. The lack of much further information was the direct result of Christian Termination (Cherry, Intro) Scandinavian mythology holds interesting parallels to other early religions and has strongly influenced modern literature. One of the most important elements to any myth or form of religion is to explain how the world came into being. In the beginning, there was Ginnungagap or yawning emptiness That lay between the realms of fire and ice. As the warm air from the south met the north the ice of Ginnungagap was melted forming Ymir, the frost giant, and Audhumla, the primeval cow, from whom flowed four rivers of milk. We will write a custom essay sample on Vidofnir, the cock specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Vidofnir, the cock specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Vidofnir, the cock specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer From Ymirs armpit came the sweat that formed the frost giants. Audhumla began to lick the ice and uncovered Buri, the ancestor of the gods in three days. Buri had a son named Bor whom married a frost giantess. From that union, Odin, Vili, and Ve were born. Growing tired of Ymirs brutality and the growing band of frost giants, Odin, Vili, and Ve took up arms and slew Ymir and all the frost giants, excluding Bergelmir and his wife who fled across the sea. Odin and his brothers then threw the corpse of Ymir into Ginnungagap. Ymirs flesh became the earth, his unbroken bones mountains, his teeth and jaws rocks and boulders, his blood rivers, lakes, and the sea, and his skull the sky held at the corners by four dwarfs. Sparks were used to make the sun, the moon and the stars. From Ymirs flesh also the light elves that were placed in Alfheim. Odin Vili and Ve came upon two beautiful fallen trees, an Ash and an Elm. Odin gave them soul; Vili gave them emotion and intelligence; Ve gave them the ability to see and hear. They became the First Humans, Ask and Embla. The gods gave them Midgard. Angered by Mundilfaris comparison of his children to the sun and the moon, Odin made them into constellations to guide the actual heavenly bodies. This creation myth has strong relation to that of Babylon when Mardok the champion slew Tiamat to form the universe(Ultimate Encyclopedia of mythology 183 186 195 253) The firmament of the nine realms in Scandinavian mythology was Yggdrassil, meaning, and dreadful mount It was the cosmic ash tree (Ultimate Encyclopedia of mythology 252) Its Name is a reference either to the gallows or to Odins horse Odin did hang himself for nine nights in order to learn wisdom. Yggdrasils three roots descended into the nine worlds. However there seems to be much speculation of how they lay. Three roots spread three ways Under the ash Yggdrasil: Hel is under the first, Frost Giants under the second, Mankind below the last (The Elder Edda 66) However, in The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology it seems to be described somewhat like this: Asgard, the stronghold of the gods lay on the first root. Along with Asgard were Vanaheim, the home of the Vanir, and the Well of Urd, the meeting place for the Gods. Muspelheim, the land of fire, and Nifleheim, place of the dead lay upon the second root; that Nidhogg the dragon gnawed on. The hardships endured by Yggdrasil Are more than men can dream of: Harts Bite the Twigs, the trunk rots, Niddhogg gnaws at the roots. (The Elder Edda 67) Jotunheim, the land of the giants, lay upon the third root, also upon it was, Midgard, the home of humans. Also upon that root lay the well of Mimir, the source of all wisdom. The rainbow bridge, Bifrost connected Asgard to Midgard. Upon the high branches of Yggdrasil, Ratatosk, the messenger squirrel dwelled with Vidofnir, the cock. The cause of this variant in texts seems to be elusive, yet we must consider that the Elder Edda is a poetic source with simplified information, while The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology is a compilation of many texts. It would be safe to think that both are correct by the varying stories of Scandinavian Mythology. I am called Grim, I am called Traveler, Warrior and Helmet-Wearer, Agreeable, Third, Thud and Ud, High-One and Hel-Blinder Broad-Hat, Broad-Beard, Boat-Lord, Rider, All-Father, Death-Father, Father of Victory (The words of Odin in The Lay of Grimnir) (The Elder Edda 69) By many other names is the All-Father called, yet it would be rude to continue the passage too far. Like Zeus Odin was the sky father He is a strange and solemn figure, always aloof He eats nothing while other gods feasted Odin pondered what thought and memory taught him. (Hamilton 308) He was responsible for postponing Ragnarok for as long as possible.

General Cargo Ship Essays

General Cargo Ship Essays General Cargo Ship Essay General Cargo Ship Essay Defining a general cargo ship The term â€Å"general (multipurpose) cargo ships† covers many different ship designs that do not fi t into other more specialised cargo ship types. Thus, general cargo ships are not specialised for transport of only dry bulks, only containers or only heavy-lift cargoes, but they have flexibility to carry any of these cargo types. General cargo ships are the world’s most numerous ship types, excepting fishing vessels. Thus, in the year 2002 their share in the overall world merchant fleet amounted to about 37% in numbers and to about 11% in dwt. The average deadweight of the world fleet of general cargo ships is about 5600 dwt. Larger vessels, up to about 30000 dwt are intended to carry break-bulk cargo (bagged, boxed and palletised cargo) or containers, while small general cargo ships, usually below 5000 dwt are mostly found as flexible solutions for many dry-cargo types in shortsea shipping. The concern for structural safety of general cargo ships follows from the fact that during the period from 1995 to 2000 approximately 90 losses of these ships per year occurred, which in other words means one ship every 4 days, with 170 fatalities per year. Even 42% of losses of all merchant ships belong to general cargo ships and similar percentage is valid also for fatality experience. Despite these figures, general cargo ships are not considered in publicity as risky ships, probably because general cargo ship accidents are not as spectacular as for example accidents of oil tankers Erika or Prestige . There are several reasons for poor statistical records of general cargo ships. Ship ages, inappropriate maintenance, poor quality in operation of these ships and defi ciencies in design are some of the main causes of a large number of accidents. : Smaller general cargo ships are particularly vulnerable to collision and grounding accidents because of their frequent operation in inland waterways and coastal waters. The general cargo ship consists of as large a clear open cargo-carrying space as possible, together with the facilities required for loading and unloading the cargo. Access to the cargo storage areas or holds is provided by openings in the deck called hatches. Hatches are made as large as strength considerations will allow to reduce horizontal movement of cargo within the ship. Hatch covers of wood or steel, as in most modern ships, are used to close the hatch openings when the ship is at sea. The hatch covers are made watertight and lie upon coamings around the hatch which are set some distance from the upper or weather deck to reduce the risk of flooding in heavy seas. One or more separate decks are fitted in the cargo holds and are known as tween decks. Greater flexibility in loading and unloading, together with cargo segregation and improved stability, are possible using the tween deck spaces. Various combinations of derricks, winches and deck cranes are used for the Handling of cargo.

What to Do if Youre in Love With a Fictional Character

What to Do if You're in Love With a Fictional Character We love to read, and when were immersed in literature, the characters come to life for us! We know them- all their most secret and intimate details. Sometimes, we become too involved in a characters life (and situation). We know what they want, who they are, and sometimes, we may even imagine ourselves into the world of the novel. What do you do if youre in love with a fictional character? Step Back   Ask yourself: Why do I love the character? Perhaps one of the things you love the most about him/her is the fact that the character is without substance (he/she is not real, at least not in a corporeal, sit-down-and-have-a-conversation-with-you kind of way). How does the character (and the episodes in the novel that compelled you to love the character) compare with your real life experiences? Pros vs. Cons Consider the characters other qualities... For every perfect character trait, the author likely included a few undesirable personality characteristics. Make a list of the pros and cons (what you love about the character in one column, and what you dislike about the hero/heroine in the other column). At the top of the con list, you can write: _____ is not real. Hes a figment of my (and every other readers) imagination! Familiarity How many times have you read the book? Have you memorized all the characters main lines? If you have memorized all the scenes, and youve imagined yourself sitting beside your fictional love, it may be time to read other books. Get critical! Use your intense fascination with the book to conduct a full study of all works by the author, as well as an exhaustive study of the novel itself. (Beyond a simple reading and re-reading, track the characters, look at the critical reception, and learn more about the historical context of the work. Think of it as your way to get to know more about the character you love. Book vs. Movie? Ask yourself: Am I really in love with the actor who plays the character in the   film version? Im not suggesting that you suddenly become a stalker, or fall violently in unrequited love with all the actors as a  stand in for literary characters. But, its a bit easier to have a crush on an actor than it is to be in love with a character in a novel. Fan-dom vs. Real Love Sometimes its easy to confuse the feelings of real love with the enthusiasm you feel when you are an ultimate fan. That giddy-obsessive feeling that you get when you find a character that represents so many romantic qualities can be can sometimes be confused with the enigmatic (often confusing) feeling of love. Support Group or Book Club After talking with a great many readers over the years, Im convinced that there are many more of you who are in love with their favorite characters than you would imagine. Of course, part of the problem is that being in love with a character from a book is sometimes not accepted by our society. But, if you are really in love with a character, I urge you to seek out others to share your passion. Start a support group. You can even start a   book club- to share the favorite books with others who love their hero/heroine just as much as you do!   Read more about Fictional Heroes We Love... In The Secret Life of Prince Charming, Deb Caletti writes: It starts so young, and Im angry about that. The garbage were taught. About love, about whats romantic. Look at so many of the so-called romantic figures in books and movies. Do we ever stop and think how many of them would cause serious and drastic unhappiness after The End? Why are sick and dangerous personality types so often shown a passionate and tragic and something to be longed for when those are the very ones you should run for your life from? Think about it. Heathcliff. Romeo. Don Juan. Jay Gatsby. Rochester. Mr. Darcy. From the rigid control freak in The Sound of Music to all the bad boys some woman goes running to the airport to catch in the last minute of every romantic comedy. She should let him leave. Your time is so valuable  and look at these guysdepressive and moody and violent and immature and self-centered. And what about the big daddy of them all, Prince Charmi ng? What was his secret life? We dont know anything about him, other then he looks good and comes to the rescue.