Monday, August 9, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Sometimes, I Impress Myself
..when I pop something profound out of my mouth in a blink.
A friend of mine texted me that s/he was being wary of his/her relationship with a person because his/her aim was to "not get hurt". Understandably the perspective of one who has experienced hurt, possibly, one too many times for him/her to bear to experience again. Of course, who enjoys that suffering? That sinking feeling that seems to turn your rib cage into some dark, molten lava that tears slowly, and heavily at the heart of your soul which one might swear existed somewhere between your lungs, heart and diaphragm. While not everybody may be able to say they recognize the feeling of pure love, I am saddened to think that most people can say they recognize the feeling of genuine heartbreak, or despair.
I wonder. If you were to ask people throughout the week, which group would win? Those who could say they recognize the feeling of love? Or, those who recognize the pain of a broken heart?
Anyhow...immediately, I was inspired to respond:
You don't have a relationship to avoid hurt. You're in it to love irregardless of what's returned. You deal with the hurt when/if it comes. You're a loving person, [Generic Name]. Just remember to love the space that makes the closeness more valuable.
I think it was fair advice. I hope it was appropriate. My friend responded that it was profound, and that s/he would take it. I'd definitely drink to that.
Oh, and hide your kids, your wife, and your husband....
I know. Hella had to kill the tender vibe. It's just so ridiculous that this guy is probably going to become a millionaire off of his interview with the news reporter. Like Chocolate Rain, or something. Original interview here.
A friend of mine texted me that s/he was being wary of his/her relationship with a person because his/her aim was to "not get hurt". Understandably the perspective of one who has experienced hurt, possibly, one too many times for him/her to bear to experience again. Of course, who enjoys that suffering? That sinking feeling that seems to turn your rib cage into some dark, molten lava that tears slowly, and heavily at the heart of your soul which one might swear existed somewhere between your lungs, heart and diaphragm. While not everybody may be able to say they recognize the feeling of pure love, I am saddened to think that most people can say they recognize the feeling of genuine heartbreak, or despair.
I wonder. If you were to ask people throughout the week, which group would win? Those who could say they recognize the feeling of love? Or, those who recognize the pain of a broken heart?
Anyhow...immediately, I was inspired to respond:
You don't have a relationship to avoid hurt. You're in it to love irregardless of what's returned. You deal with the hurt when/if it comes. You're a loving person, [Generic Name]. Just remember to love the space that makes the closeness more valuable.
I think it was fair advice. I hope it was appropriate. My friend responded that it was profound, and that s/he would take it. I'd definitely drink to that.
Oh, and hide your kids, your wife, and your husband....
I know. Hella had to kill the tender vibe. It's just so ridiculous that this guy is probably going to become a millionaire off of his interview with the news reporter. Like Chocolate Rain, or something. Original interview here.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Don't Just Be Here. Be here.
So, I started reading Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged and have found myself engaged, so far. I've definitely got quite a bit to go as there are 1168 pages of literary goodness, and I've yet to reach 50 pages. But, already I found a thing of beauty:
"He felt that he could forgive anything to anyone, because happiness was the greatest agent of purification. He felt certain that every living being wished him well tonight. He wanted to meet someone, to face the first stranger, to stand disarmed and open, and to say, "Look at me." People, he thought, were as hungry for a sight of joy as he had always been--for a moment's relief from that gray load of suffering which seemed so inexplicable and unnecessary. He had never been able to understand why men should be unhappy." - Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
I like this passage for a couple reasons. For one, Rand got a little crazy (in a great way) in capturing some subtle emotions that a person may feel when they have achieved that moment of happiness after a great deal of endeavoring to get it. I think of the day I decided to take the jump, and decided that I'd pursue passion over pure practicality. It was as if everything that had life had a pouch pocket filled with "Good-Goodness", and they all sprinkled a little bit on me that day, and I felt the good vibes. I wanted to jump in front of someone ... anyone ... and, let out an "Ayyyy!!" while smiling, and dougie-ing, simultaneously. I could relate to that feeling of genuine release.
But, I also like this passage because Rand goes beyond that capture of the happy person. Rand points out a simple, but magnificent truth: that, generally, people are hungry for the sight of joy, and defined joy as: "a moment's relief from that gray load of suffering which seemed so inexplicable and unnecessary." Think about it. Everybody's prone to getting all caught up in that "zone" throughout their day. Walking around on some lesser autopilot in between points A and B. Genuinely interacting at the points, but then returning to that quasi-social autopilot when going from point B to C. Etc, etc. I think everybody finds it truly refreshing when people are able to be fluidly "present" even when they're in the process of traveling in between the points they need to get to. How great of a gift is that moment when somebody is genuinely happy ... and, you notice it.
That's that shit, man. That's some good shit.
On that note. A bit of a throwback:
"He felt that he could forgive anything to anyone, because happiness was the greatest agent of purification. He felt certain that every living being wished him well tonight. He wanted to meet someone, to face the first stranger, to stand disarmed and open, and to say, "Look at me." People, he thought, were as hungry for a sight of joy as he had always been--for a moment's relief from that gray load of suffering which seemed so inexplicable and unnecessary. He had never been able to understand why men should be unhappy." - Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
I like this passage for a couple reasons. For one, Rand got a little crazy (in a great way) in capturing some subtle emotions that a person may feel when they have achieved that moment of happiness after a great deal of endeavoring to get it. I think of the day I decided to take the jump, and decided that I'd pursue passion over pure practicality. It was as if everything that had life had a pouch pocket filled with "Good-Goodness", and they all sprinkled a little bit on me that day, and I felt the good vibes. I wanted to jump in front of someone ... anyone ... and, let out an "Ayyyy!!" while smiling, and dougie-ing, simultaneously. I could relate to that feeling of genuine release.
But, I also like this passage because Rand goes beyond that capture of the happy person. Rand points out a simple, but magnificent truth: that, generally, people are hungry for the sight of joy, and defined joy as: "a moment's relief from that gray load of suffering which seemed so inexplicable and unnecessary." Think about it. Everybody's prone to getting all caught up in that "zone" throughout their day. Walking around on some lesser autopilot in between points A and B. Genuinely interacting at the points, but then returning to that quasi-social autopilot when going from point B to C. Etc, etc. I think everybody finds it truly refreshing when people are able to be fluidly "present" even when they're in the process of traveling in between the points they need to get to. How great of a gift is that moment when somebody is genuinely happy ... and, you notice it.
That's that shit, man. That's some good shit.
On that note. A bit of a throwback:
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