Strong, courageous, smart, selfless, caring, hopeful, determined, and admirable. He was Funny, charming, wise, truthful, respectable, and modest. He was a true inspiration, someone you could turn to and depend on no matter what. Someone who always did the right things, regardless of popularity. Someone who dared to be different. Someone who went against the flow of...the River. The same River whose current swept everyone else away and carried them down stream. The River of Life, the same River that he was named after. The River that most people drowned in, and yet....he managed to keep his head above water. Does that make him a hero? In my eyes, he was the greatest person to ever walk this pitiful earth.
His name?
River.
Jude.
Phoenix.
Most people remember him for his death. I believe he deserves much more recognition for the way that he lived, because his story is one that is definitely worth remembering.
He blessed this earth and those around him with his presence on August 23rd, 1970. That day belongs to him, and him alone. He had the greenest eyes that i have ever seen, and the biggest heart ever known to beat inside of the chest of mankind. Every time i see his smile in a picture, my heart skips a beat. Sometimes, when the sun hits his face just right in one of his films, my heart stops completely. He brought beauty to everything that he touched. He was a trend setter, that's for sure. He didn't just dance to the beat of his own DRUM, he wrote his own SONG.This song was the soundtrack of his life. This is the same song that plays on repeat in my own head, as well as the heads of thousands of his fans that he left behind.
This is also the same song that inspired many other songs written by many people who River has encountered, and rubbed off on. He wasn't like most celebrities that you see today. He wasn't interested in being famous, or making as much money as he could while he had the chance. He knew that he was truly lucky to be recognized and admired by so many people, and he saw it as an opportunity to do the best he could to make a difference in the lives of everyone around him. He fought for what he believed in, and he did what he could to spread the word. He believed in protecting the environment and the animals that resided within it. He once said ''Animals are not our playthings. We are on this earth to protect them. It`s our duty.When I was old enough to realize all meat was killed, I saw it as an irrational way of using our power, to take a weaker thing and mutilate it. It was like the way bullies would take control of younger kids in the schoolyard. Vegetarianism is a link to perfection and peace.'' He lived by his words. He was a vegan, and often volunteered at animal shelters. He did what he could to spread awareness of animal cruelty, and he set a wonderful example for his fans to follow. He once said that he wouldn't eat a hamburger for 40,000 dollars. Now THAT is true dedication.
He was very wise for his age, often saying things like ,''In simplicity, there is truth.' He also had an admirable sense of humor, and it showed in many of his interviews where he once said,''I try to lie as much as I can when I'm interviewed. It's reverse psychology. I figure if you lie, they'll print the truth.'' River was so talented, and passionate about his work. He once said ''It is a great feeling to think that i can be a friend to so many people through my movies.'' He wouldn't accept a role in a film unless he believed in the character and what they represented. River was a free spirit, and he was known for breaking tradition. He was a dreamer, an artist, a writer. He was an actor, a friend, and a voice for those who couldn't speak. He was a persuasion of innocence. He fought for what was right, even if it wasn't the 'popular' thing to do. Quoting River," I would never, never do anything unless I believed in it." He was a walking symbol of peace, courage, and originality.This man accomplished more in 23 years than most people accomplish in his whole life. He worked to get there.
He wasn't like one of these celebrities who became famous just because their parents were, or because they kept messing up on a daily basis just to get attention. River Phoenix had true talent and determination, and THAT is what got him so far. He was so smart, and he was as beautiful on the inside as he was on the outside. No matter what River did, he excelled at it. He was ALWAYS one step ahead of everyone else, and that was his greatest quality.
That is also what made him a tragic hero. His greatest quality, in my opinion, is what eventually led to his down fall. He was so wise, so far ahead, so...different, that it made it hard for him to relate to others. I believe he felt isolated, like he was the only one. I mean, what is the point in being smart, when everyone around you is so stupid? I believe that is what led to his drug usage. I believe that he took drugs to dumb himself down a little bit, not to be accepted by others, but to think on the level of those around him so he would be able to connect with them better. I believe that River Phoenix did drugs to help himself understand and accept others who weren't like him. This led to his drug addiction, which led to his over dosage, which eventually led to his death. His death took place on Sunset boulevard in Los Angeles, California, outside of Johnny Depp's club called 'The Viper Room'. River Phoenix's death at around 1 o'clock on Halloween morning in 1993, exactly one month and 15 days before i was born, resulted in thousands of shattered hearts across America.
River Phoenix left unexpectedly, and he wasn't finished with what he had started. His song lives on through all of his fans, myself included, and I believe it is up to us to finish what he has started. I try every day to live a life inspired by River Jude Phoenix, as an example to others. Through us, his memory will live on and he will NEVER be forgotten. After all, how can we forget someone who has given us SO MUCH to remember?
His name?
River.
Jude.
Phoenix.
Most people remember him for his death. I believe he deserves much more recognition for the way that he lived, because his story is one that is definitely worth remembering.
He blessed this earth and those around him with his presence on August 23rd, 1970. That day belongs to him, and him alone. He had the greenest eyes that i have ever seen, and the biggest heart ever known to beat inside of the chest of mankind. Every time i see his smile in a picture, my heart skips a beat. Sometimes, when the sun hits his face just right in one of his films, my heart stops completely. He brought beauty to everything that he touched. He was a trend setter, that's for sure. He didn't just dance to the beat of his own DRUM, he wrote his own SONG.This song was the soundtrack of his life. This is the same song that plays on repeat in my own head, as well as the heads of thousands of his fans that he left behind.
This is also the same song that inspired many other songs written by many people who River has encountered, and rubbed off on. He wasn't like most celebrities that you see today. He wasn't interested in being famous, or making as much money as he could while he had the chance. He knew that he was truly lucky to be recognized and admired by so many people, and he saw it as an opportunity to do the best he could to make a difference in the lives of everyone around him. He fought for what he believed in, and he did what he could to spread the word. He believed in protecting the environment and the animals that resided within it. He once said ''Animals are not our playthings. We are on this earth to protect them. It`s our duty.When I was old enough to realize all meat was killed, I saw it as an irrational way of using our power, to take a weaker thing and mutilate it. It was like the way bullies would take control of younger kids in the schoolyard. Vegetarianism is a link to perfection and peace.'' He lived by his words. He was a vegan, and often volunteered at animal shelters. He did what he could to spread awareness of animal cruelty, and he set a wonderful example for his fans to follow. He once said that he wouldn't eat a hamburger for 40,000 dollars. Now THAT is true dedication.
He was very wise for his age, often saying things like ,''In simplicity, there is truth.' He also had an admirable sense of humor, and it showed in many of his interviews where he once said,''I try to lie as much as I can when I'm interviewed. It's reverse psychology. I figure if you lie, they'll print the truth.'' River was so talented, and passionate about his work. He once said ''It is a great feeling to think that i can be a friend to so many people through my movies.'' He wouldn't accept a role in a film unless he believed in the character and what they represented. River was a free spirit, and he was known for breaking tradition. He was a dreamer, an artist, a writer. He was an actor, a friend, and a voice for those who couldn't speak. He was a persuasion of innocence. He fought for what was right, even if it wasn't the 'popular' thing to do. Quoting River," I would never, never do anything unless I believed in it." He was a walking symbol of peace, courage, and originality.This man accomplished more in 23 years than most people accomplish in his whole life. He worked to get there.
He wasn't like one of these celebrities who became famous just because their parents were, or because they kept messing up on a daily basis just to get attention. River Phoenix had true talent and determination, and THAT is what got him so far. He was so smart, and he was as beautiful on the inside as he was on the outside. No matter what River did, he excelled at it. He was ALWAYS one step ahead of everyone else, and that was his greatest quality.
That is also what made him a tragic hero. His greatest quality, in my opinion, is what eventually led to his down fall. He was so wise, so far ahead, so...different, that it made it hard for him to relate to others. I believe he felt isolated, like he was the only one. I mean, what is the point in being smart, when everyone around you is so stupid? I believe that is what led to his drug usage. I believe that he took drugs to dumb himself down a little bit, not to be accepted by others, but to think on the level of those around him so he would be able to connect with them better. I believe that River Phoenix did drugs to help himself understand and accept others who weren't like him. This led to his drug addiction, which led to his over dosage, which eventually led to his death. His death took place on Sunset boulevard in Los Angeles, California, outside of Johnny Depp's club called 'The Viper Room'. River Phoenix's death at around 1 o'clock on Halloween morning in 1993, exactly one month and 15 days before i was born, resulted in thousands of shattered hearts across America.
River Phoenix left unexpectedly, and he wasn't finished with what he had started. His song lives on through all of his fans, myself included, and I believe it is up to us to finish what he has started. I try every day to live a life inspired by River Jude Phoenix, as an example to others. Through us, his memory will live on and he will NEVER be forgotten. After all, how can we forget someone who has given us SO MUCH to remember?
Jakethesnake
Lachance
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