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| Contemplating... |
There
are magic bullets (or magic cures) for everything in storybooks but hardly ever
in real life. We just slog along sometimes, wondering how to make things
bearable if not better. I find it interesting that I struggle most when I try
to live in someone else's version of the world than I do when I insist on
staying in mine. One gets labeled as a rule breaker, as a non-joiner, as a
rebel (or, at the extreme, a misanthrope) but oh, the rewards are much
stronger than the criticism.
I wonder that it took me until I was well into my
sixties to discover what I'd known perfectly well as a child; to function
optimally one must stay in one's own world. From there one can reach out, one
can teach, one can act as an example, but the essential self doesn't get
battered about by those who don't "get it." It's a hard practice when
one works "in the world," requiring constant thought, but it is
easier than fighting those who believe themselves in charge of you.
8 comments:
smiles....sounds like you are learning some wonderful things...thanks for sharing them so we can grasp them again before we get there...smiles.
That's right. You need to be exactly who you are. I'm still learning how to accomplish this; it seems to be more difficult when I'm with certain people.
Your self-awareness makes you a better writer.
Indeed. I am finding out more about creativity and inspiration by seeing others' attempts and reasons.
I guess maximizing experience and life is the key.
It sounds like you operate best when being authentic. It's hard not to be swayed by what's happening around us and the tides of popularity but you are right. Stay true.
It is a lifelong challenge to accept one's individuality and enjoy it, despite the fact that the world may look so different to others. I think it becomes easier with age!
Yes, we do sometimes find ourselves being what we think others want us to be rather than being ourselves. Life becomes more complicated then, I think.
I couldn't find an email address for you, so hope you don't mind that I've written here. Noticed you often commented at Elusive Abstractions to Roberta and wondered if you knew her? I know her only through her blog writings, but she abruptly stopped blogging some months ago and I have hoped all is well with her -- thought you might know: joaredalongtheway@gmail.com
Brian - I feel like I'm re-learning some!
Kerry - try being your small self again. Works for me, maybe because I am spending so much time with a 2 year old!
Goatman - I like the idea of maximizing experience. One way to do that is to write about it, yes? Thanks for coming by.
Gary - it IS hard, but so rewarding!
Barbara - for some of us that must hold true. For others I imagine it's difficult to let go of what works... glad to "see" you again!
Joared - thanks for stopping by to read. I wish I knew how to contact Roberta but I don't :(
To thine own self be true.
Nobody said it better than the Bard himself. I try to follow his advice more or less successfully, but I don't often worry about the ideas others want to foist upon me.I'm too old now.
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