A common theme in this book is Addario’s conflict between pursuing photography against a simple more traditional lifestyle. She struggles through out the book and grapples with what will really make her happy. In chapters 1-3 it is clear that her choice is to pursue photography and to chase her passion; but this also brings with it some conflict. Whether it be having to beg so called aid-workers to help out a woman suffering from AIDS, or banging her head against a corporate wall that limits her art Addario faced conflicts in many different ways and to pick only one is tremendously difficult.
As I progress through the book I keep finding conflicts and ideas and situations that I would like to define as the biggest conflict, however I do not feel adequate saying so. The reason this happens is because Addario is constantly putting herself outside of her comfort zone. As she aspires to move onto greater things and new adventures she encounters problems that may seem outstanding and overwhelming to the reader, but she finds a way to make it relatable. For instance, her struggle to find balance between having a family and a ‘normal life’ seem like something that is foreign at a first glance. However, I can relate to this as she discusses it further. Like her I am passionate about my plans to establish a career (only through my studies so far), and for that I have made the sacrifice of leaving behind my family, my friends and my country. And while I find great pleasure in being away and studying here at the university it is inevitable to wonder what it would have been like if I had stayed closer to home.
But what me and Addario have most in common is a need to put ourselves outside of the comfort zone. To not settle for what is easy, and simple and good. Like her, I wish to push myself to see how far I can go. While you, the reader, may feel like this is a bit of a stretch I have written before that Addario is effective in appealing to the reader’s emotions; and recently I feel that I can relate to her.
On a completely different and more trivial note I would also like to say that conflict does not have to be so polarizing to be significant. I think that conflict can also be something as trivial as not knowing how to save your fantasy football team (which sadly I do not). But I also invite you to find a place that may have gotten monotonous for you; and to be like Addario, and just flip things upside down. Do things not because they are easy; but because they seem interesting and challenging.