You are different than me. Most people look at me and think to themselves, "Wow, he is the epitome of perfection!", but being different than me isn't a bad thing. It makes you unique. You are different than me, than my parents, than your parents, than your neighbors, than their uncles and aunts, than the cat lady down the street, and the bum on the corner. Different is good. Diversity brings new and exciting things into life. The same is boring, and it leads to closed-mindedness.
Where would we be in a world where everyone was the same? There would be no Shakespeare, no Motzart, no Galileo and Einstein, no Jack Johnson, no Rodney Mullen, and no Kobe Bryant. Not that I am particularly fond of Kobe Bryant, but I digress. If everyone was the same, we would all live in little bland houses with the same amount of rooms, lawns all exactly the same height, and all drive the same type of car around. We would all have the same number of kids in the back seat, all named John, and wearing the same thing. There would be nothing to talk about, nothing new to experience, nobody new to meet. Actually, there would be no cars, or computers or houses--everyone would have been content to live they way they had been living for generations, and there would be no new innovations.
When you look at your friends, how do they compare to you? Does everyone you hang out with paint their nails the same color? Does everyone wear their hair the same, and tell the same jokes, and listen to the same song over and over and over again? Do they all like the same foods and colors and flavors of ice cream? Do they all find the same traits in people attractive, and all have the same talents? There is nothing wrong with having friends who enjoy some of the same things as you--some familiarity is good and draws people closer, but think about it--really. How much of the same do you want in your life? I like a little bit of different.
Opposites attract because there is something inside all of us that wants to have a new perspective, or should want to have a new perspective. Being with people who are different than you helps you grow as a person. Sure, there is a line to draw when people become so different that they go against what you beleive, but experiencing diversity is what helps people mature. How would you know what you like if you never tried something new. Maybe it's time to go look for some people or things that are a little different than usual.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Hedonism VS. Carpe Diem
Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we shall die.
In theory, this makes sense. Life is short so we must make the best of what we have now. We don't know how long we will last so we should live it up while we have the chance. This is actually an excerpt from Isaiah 22:13, and read in context, the verse shows that this hedonistic idealogy is immoral. There is more to life than the present--mature people look ahead as well as to the present, sometimes opting for current discomfort in place of pleasure so as to set down a solid foundation for the future. Going to college, or working in a horrible job for a time so as to reach a higher posistion are examples of delayed gratification.
Then comes Carpe Diem; sieze the day! Both the ideals of Carpe Diem and Hedonism call its practicers to act now, to take advantage of the present and wait no longer. The difference between the two are the motives behind the action. While the motives of Hedonism are pleasure and selfishness, Carpe Diem sees that there is more to life than just the present. Carpe Diem uses the present as a tool for the future. It doesn't let the moment pass, because it will, but takes control of the situation and uses it for benefit.
Hedonism shouts "Me! Give me what I want now so I can feel good. I don't care what the future holds because I will be dead, and once you are dead it is over. It's too late to have fun, and that is all I care about."
Carpe Diem shouts, "I have a good situation in my posession and I was to capitalize on it. I look to the future, and the future starts now."
In theory, this makes sense. Life is short so we must make the best of what we have now. We don't know how long we will last so we should live it up while we have the chance. This is actually an excerpt from Isaiah 22:13, and read in context, the verse shows that this hedonistic idealogy is immoral. There is more to life than the present--mature people look ahead as well as to the present, sometimes opting for current discomfort in place of pleasure so as to set down a solid foundation for the future. Going to college, or working in a horrible job for a time so as to reach a higher posistion are examples of delayed gratification.
Then comes Carpe Diem; sieze the day! Both the ideals of Carpe Diem and Hedonism call its practicers to act now, to take advantage of the present and wait no longer. The difference between the two are the motives behind the action. While the motives of Hedonism are pleasure and selfishness, Carpe Diem sees that there is more to life than just the present. Carpe Diem uses the present as a tool for the future. It doesn't let the moment pass, because it will, but takes control of the situation and uses it for benefit.
Hedonism shouts "Me! Give me what I want now so I can feel good. I don't care what the future holds because I will be dead, and once you are dead it is over. It's too late to have fun, and that is all I care about."
Carpe Diem shouts, "I have a good situation in my posession and I was to capitalize on it. I look to the future, and the future starts now."
Loyalty
What drives people to give themselves completely to an institution, or an ideal, or a person? Loyalty is a funny thing because at core, people are selfish. Nonetheless, loyalty demands selflessness, and people often give it. There is usually a reason for loyalty. A person is loyal to their country because they love the land, and the laws, and the people. A person is loyal to a philosophy because they beleive in their hearts that it is right and should spread and live on. They are loyal to a person because that person has been loyal to them or they love them.
But then comes betrayal. What does a person do when the thing they have been loyal to turns on them. Their country shuns them. Their philosophy is proven wrong. Their friend or lover no longer reciprocates. How quickly should the change of heart come? Loyalty is worthless if it changes with the wind, yet there is a time to change loyalties. The time comes to admit one placed hope in a faulty place, or in a faulty person. The time to admit that perhaps they were wrong all along, or the time to admit that the rock they were anchored to wasn't as strong afterall.
There is a time to go move to a country that treats it's citizens better. A time to realize that sometimes the things you were taught in school or as a child by your parents just were incorrect. A time to realize that there is someone else out there who won't stab you in the back. A time to realize that being loyal to the things that are loyal to you is the best decision. It should not be thought of as wasted time or resources. It should be thought of as a learning experience through which, better choices will be made in the future.
The question still stands, When is the right time to forget the past and move on?
But then comes betrayal. What does a person do when the thing they have been loyal to turns on them. Their country shuns them. Their philosophy is proven wrong. Their friend or lover no longer reciprocates. How quickly should the change of heart come? Loyalty is worthless if it changes with the wind, yet there is a time to change loyalties. The time comes to admit one placed hope in a faulty place, or in a faulty person. The time to admit that perhaps they were wrong all along, or the time to admit that the rock they were anchored to wasn't as strong afterall.
There is a time to go move to a country that treats it's citizens better. A time to realize that sometimes the things you were taught in school or as a child by your parents just were incorrect. A time to realize that there is someone else out there who won't stab you in the back. A time to realize that being loyal to the things that are loyal to you is the best decision. It should not be thought of as wasted time or resources. It should be thought of as a learning experience through which, better choices will be made in the future.
The question still stands, When is the right time to forget the past and move on?
Tricky Paradoxes
A paradox is a series of true statements that, when put together yield a false statement. This is one of the most well-known paradoxes, so I must pose it as a scenario.
Imagine that time travel does exist and is completely feasible. There is an evil time Traveller who, in his travels begins to tamper with time so as to change the future. As he begins to tamper, more and more changes occur. In an attempt to create the most radical change in his own life that he can, he murders his own grandfather while he was still a child, before his grandfather had a change to concieve the time traveller's father.
If the grandfather is dead and has no children, how is it possible for the evil time traveller to even be born so as to go back and murder the grandfather?
Imagine that time travel does exist and is completely feasible. There is an evil time Traveller who, in his travels begins to tamper with time so as to change the future. As he begins to tamper, more and more changes occur. In an attempt to create the most radical change in his own life that he can, he murders his own grandfather while he was still a child, before his grandfather had a change to concieve the time traveller's father.
If the grandfather is dead and has no children, how is it possible for the evil time traveller to even be born so as to go back and murder the grandfather?
Tricky Paradoxes 2
Suppose Jack has a strong distaste for wishy-washy people. People who don't know what they want, are afraid to say it, or aren't willing to stand up for what they beleive because of fear of conflict. He likes strong people who know what they want or beleive, and aren't afraid to say as much.
Then, there is Jill. She has a strong attraction to Jack. Jill is a strong person, but she understands that sacrifices must sometimes be made in interpersonal relationships to keep both parties happy. Jack likes certain traits or characteristics that Jill doesn't have, but does like the fact that Jill is a strong person. Would Jill, by changing herself to more fit the tastes of Jack and adding traits that he finds attractive yet she does not yet have, be contradicting the very thing that Jack found attractive in her? Would this ruin the basis of the entire relationship in an attempt by Jill to be more appealing?
Then, there is Jill. She has a strong attraction to Jack. Jill is a strong person, but she understands that sacrifices must sometimes be made in interpersonal relationships to keep both parties happy. Jack likes certain traits or characteristics that Jill doesn't have, but does like the fact that Jill is a strong person. Would Jill, by changing herself to more fit the tastes of Jack and adding traits that he finds attractive yet she does not yet have, be contradicting the very thing that Jack found attractive in her? Would this ruin the basis of the entire relationship in an attempt by Jill to be more appealing?
Monday, October 31, 2011
The Human Body
The human body is an eccentric thing. Don't get me wrong, it works pretty darn well for all the stress it is put under. It lasts a decently long time, can repair itself, and any other number of amazing attributes; this doesn't change the fact that it is extremely wierd to look at. Of course, we are around so many people every day that we don't even take a second look at things that we see so often. Perhaps I can change your perspective a little bit.
First off, I think that eyes can be the most beautiful single thing of another person's to see. (Setting aside the things that hormones might prompt a peek at...) Now, to protect these amazing organs, we have eyelids. They are little wrinkly flaps of loose skin that have a fluid on the inside of them to keep the eyes clean. On top of these, you have a few fine hairs called eyelashes. Why is there hair on your skin next to your seeing organs? Then above that, you have eyebrows. 2 Small symmetrical rows of hair above your eyes. (For some people, it isn't two, and isn't symmetrical) Your eyelids are like little windshield wipers and window blinds combined! Imagine you are a creature without eyelids, looking at you as you blink...so strange.
Next we have the ears and the nose. These are basically holes in our body which let in vibrations for sound, and particles for smell. However, they aren't merely holes, they are holes with decoration around them. Why is there a big massive...thing...on the front of our faces just so we can smell? I am sure that we could smell just as well if the holes were half an inch further back in our face instead of sticking out a little bit. For ears, sure...the shape of the ear can help collect sound a little bit better, but why the whole maze thing?
Now the mouth is just another hole like the ears and the nose, but he feels very insufficient as a (w)hole because of his lack of decoration, so he has to overcompensate by lining the skin around his opening with extra skin. These are called lips. I am not exactly sure what function they are supposed to serve, but they sure look funny, especially when really skinny people have huge lips.
Fingers are darn useful, my average WPM for typing would be way lower if my arm just ended in a single point, so I won't talk too much mess on them except for the fact that they have nails on the end. Sure, they are useful for scratching things, and prying things open, but they look funny! Why are they clear? Up until a certain point, that is...then they just turn white.
Hair is a strange one because it is everywhere. It is in so many places, and basically its just a bunch of dead cells that our body doesnt need anymore, but has nostalgic value for them and keeps them around still.
Now we come to that little bit of wrinkly skin on the end of our elbows. These are called wenises. I actually just thought I would throw it in there because it sounds funny. It is wierd to feel though.
On a small side note, I just realized that humans, (with the female gender in particular) like to decorate most of the things mentioned here. Perhaps it is subconciously realized that these things are strange to look at, so painting nails, braiding hair, and peircing ears and other orifices is a way to detract attention from them. I don't find anything particularly wrong with this, it is just intriguing.
Keep in mind that all of these things are very useful to me, and I am very glad that I have them. Without all of these things, our bodies would not function nearly as well as they do. Our bodies do, however look a little silly sometimes. Try looking in the mirror for a few minutes and just study the features of your face. It gets wierder with every minute. Even with all of the things I mentioned, the body is still a beautiful thing. Everything works in cunjunction so wonderfully, I think it can be forgiven for looking a little strange. Take care of it and it will take care of you.
First off, I think that eyes can be the most beautiful single thing of another person's to see. (Setting aside the things that hormones might prompt a peek at...) Now, to protect these amazing organs, we have eyelids. They are little wrinkly flaps of loose skin that have a fluid on the inside of them to keep the eyes clean. On top of these, you have a few fine hairs called eyelashes. Why is there hair on your skin next to your seeing organs? Then above that, you have eyebrows. 2 Small symmetrical rows of hair above your eyes. (For some people, it isn't two, and isn't symmetrical) Your eyelids are like little windshield wipers and window blinds combined! Imagine you are a creature without eyelids, looking at you as you blink...so strange.
Next we have the ears and the nose. These are basically holes in our body which let in vibrations for sound, and particles for smell. However, they aren't merely holes, they are holes with decoration around them. Why is there a big massive...thing...on the front of our faces just so we can smell? I am sure that we could smell just as well if the holes were half an inch further back in our face instead of sticking out a little bit. For ears, sure...the shape of the ear can help collect sound a little bit better, but why the whole maze thing?
Now the mouth is just another hole like the ears and the nose, but he feels very insufficient as a (w)hole because of his lack of decoration, so he has to overcompensate by lining the skin around his opening with extra skin. These are called lips. I am not exactly sure what function they are supposed to serve, but they sure look funny, especially when really skinny people have huge lips.
Fingers are darn useful, my average WPM for typing would be way lower if my arm just ended in a single point, so I won't talk too much mess on them except for the fact that they have nails on the end. Sure, they are useful for scratching things, and prying things open, but they look funny! Why are they clear? Up until a certain point, that is...then they just turn white.
Hair is a strange one because it is everywhere. It is in so many places, and basically its just a bunch of dead cells that our body doesnt need anymore, but has nostalgic value for them and keeps them around still.
Now we come to that little bit of wrinkly skin on the end of our elbows. These are called wenises. I actually just thought I would throw it in there because it sounds funny. It is wierd to feel though.
On a small side note, I just realized that humans, (with the female gender in particular) like to decorate most of the things mentioned here. Perhaps it is subconciously realized that these things are strange to look at, so painting nails, braiding hair, and peircing ears and other orifices is a way to detract attention from them. I don't find anything particularly wrong with this, it is just intriguing.
Keep in mind that all of these things are very useful to me, and I am very glad that I have them. Without all of these things, our bodies would not function nearly as well as they do. Our bodies do, however look a little silly sometimes. Try looking in the mirror for a few minutes and just study the features of your face. It gets wierder with every minute. Even with all of the things I mentioned, the body is still a beautiful thing. Everything works in cunjunction so wonderfully, I think it can be forgiven for looking a little strange. Take care of it and it will take care of you.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Certain Days
I'm sure you have had those days. The days where you wake up and know its going to be a bad day. Sure enough, the shower never fully heats up, the toaster is broken, you run out of toothpaste, and the bus is 15 minutes late. A horrible day. You walk around doing the things that you know you are supposed to, but all you really want to do is go home and lay in bed so that nothing else bad happens. 2 failed quizzes later, and a still-damp soda stain all over the side of your leg, you sit on the bus just wanting to go home and have a nice dinner. Maybe some more bad things happen, maybe they dont, but as you lay in bed that night, the day's occurances running through your mind, you can't sleep. You are exhausted, and all the bad things continue to take their toll on your mind even as you try to forget them.
Yea, those days suck. However, today wasn't one for me. It was a good day. I had fun, got some sun, hung in excellent company, ate lots of food, took some naps, and I have a brighter outlook on life after some of the day's occurances. Sure, I will have some bad days again in the future--there is no stopping that, but today as I am putting my head on the pillow, I will not toss and turn, regretting the days events. Tired? Yes. Drained? No. These days add to my life, not take away. Today was a satisfying day; I hope I have many more just like it in the future.
Yea, those days suck. However, today wasn't one for me. It was a good day. I had fun, got some sun, hung in excellent company, ate lots of food, took some naps, and I have a brighter outlook on life after some of the day's occurances. Sure, I will have some bad days again in the future--there is no stopping that, but today as I am putting my head on the pillow, I will not toss and turn, regretting the days events. Tired? Yes. Drained? No. These days add to my life, not take away. Today was a satisfying day; I hope I have many more just like it in the future.
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