Oh Me Oh My

Monday, September 08, 2008

Contradictions


I find that life is full of contradictions. Whether it's the religious texts that tell is to seek an "eye for an eye" but then condemn revenge, or people who wish more "real women" were shown in advertising, who then grimace with revulsion at a celebrity with a bit of flab on the beach. It's like we're constantly struggling to be someone and be the exact oppposite all at once.

Reach for the stars but keep your feet on the ground.
It's funny that we encourage people to chase their dreams, but are all at once wary of people who actually do so. You want to be a singer? That's all well and good, but do you have a backup in case that doesn't pan out? Fashion design sounds fascinating, but maybe take a few courses in air conditioning repair in case Heidi Klum don't come a knockin'.

I love travelling but I hate being a tourist.
I have never understood this weird dynamic. It is respectful, even covetted, to be someone who travels, yet nothing sounds more garish than being a tourist. Are these things not one in the same? It's like if you go to New York and eat in some obscure deli in the middle of nowhere it's okay, but if you happen to see the Statue of Liberty, and icon of Americana, you should be shot in the face.

Wear your heart on your sleeve, but keep it protected.
Experts always say you have to be open to love. You have to share who you are. You have to give of yourself completely, yadda yadda yadda, but then a whole other panel of experts will tell you to keep on guard, to watch for signals, to make sure the pre-nup is signed.

So which is it? Is it a case of wanting it every way? Are we constantly wanting to have the cake we're eating, or just confused about what we're supposed to want? Thoughts?

1 Comments:

At 11:36 p.m., Blogger Darek/Darciu/Dariusz said...

I think it's about compromise - want to be a singer, awesome! Do everything you reasonably can to try and sing for the rest of your life and your livelihood but these days you don't just need a good voice, you need to know "the business" and most people are not cut out for that, hence the mentioning of a back up plan (not necessarily the common nursing) but perhaps getting a major in music composition or something else related to your dream *just in case*. I dont think that's a contradiction as it is a compromise.

Traveling and being a tourist don't necessarily have to be the same thing. A friend of mine has been travelling for the past 2 years and I dont mean around Europe (which is relatively safe) but he's been to nepal, timbuktu, india, senegal, and bangledesh to name a few. There is a difference between travelling from one stationary spot to many places and from place to place. But I agree that seeing landmarks that made a country or city famous in the first place isnt something to be mocked - the history behind the accomplishment should always be seen first, not the tackiness of wearing of a fanny pack or wide hat to keep the sun off whilst seeing the landmark.

As for the love thing - I think we've been programmed to think that true love is always a) true and b) love. That's why the idea of a pre-nup is repugnant. But as society becomes less theist people are no longer scared about the eternal hell fires of damnation and more concerned about the effects on children, their property, their credit score and the (not more or less but just as) important things in life. Marriage/commitments are huge parts of our lives but they are not the only parts that need protecting and defending.

Sorry I'm coming down from my advice post lol I feel like I should have a star permanently afixed to my head with the words "The more you know" attached to it.

 

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