You know the saying: Lighting a fire under someone's ass.... to ignite something in them and spurs them into action.
I've been feeling this more and more.
A lot has been happening in the world and in life these days. A lot that has stirred strong emotions in me, and many others.
How is it that we are living in a world of such dichotomy? Why are the views of liberalism and conservatism so extreme? I am not sure how we are living a world where, it seems at least, 50% of the population would support and vote for someone like Trump, while a significant number of people support Bernie. The fact that 50% of the country would support someone who constantly makes racist and sexist remarks and claim his views to be nationalistic. 50%. The people on your left and right--is that how they really feel? If Trump is speaking for people who don't dare voice their very thoughts out loud, what does it say about our society? It is not surprising that this has generated a lot of fear and distrust in like-minded friends. Your coworker or friend could very well secretly agree with the horrific and nonsensical things that Trump has said.
And then there is Brexit, a UK referendum vote that resulted in a near 50-50 split vote. I am not as familiar with UK politics, and split votes have happened before so it isn't exactly a new thing, but what was surprising was that voters started researching what Brexit is after they voted. Some voters were not even aware of the impact of their vote and didn't think their vote would affect the outcome like this. What now?
With social media pervading our lives, you would think that we would be better informed through a common open forum where ideas and opinions can easily be shared.
For many years, I have tried and quite successfully lived a life of moderation, of letting go. I am pretty easy going and content with how things are. If something does not go the way I expected, it is part of life, and I will find another option. But contentment, as I am realizing, is quite an internalizing feeling and thought process. Nothing comes out of it. Over the years, I have written less and less, because there is no need. Things are okay. Things are fine. I am okay and happy with how things are, with the way it is now. Breathe in breathe out. Observe the thoughts come and go. There is no need to do anything different from how things are now. Intentionally or unintentionally, I have re-guided my emotions to equanimity. I no longer feel the desire to write, as I no longer have strong opinions. It is what it is. I have no desire to do anything outside of what I am already currently doing.
My husband, on the other hand, sometimes felt bad that he is always so discontent with things, especially in comparison to me. He often finds something critical that he wants to improve upon. He is never really satisfied. He sees me and many of his friends so seemingly content, and feels alone. Why couldn't he be more happy-go-lucky like us? And for the longest time, I couldn't understand why either. I could only empathize and wish he could find peace within himself.
But now, I am coming to a realization that discontentment is actually not that negative at all. Creativity and innovation stems of dissatisfaction of the status quo. The most creative artists agonize over their current state and somehow push birth fresh perspectives, better visions, and completely new ideas. Friction creates fire. Anger, competitiveness, pressure-- they could all potentially push us to new heights, to a level even we could not even imagine.
The simmering dissatisfaction gradually reaches a boiling point, where action must be made, voices must be heard, and only then, can real change be made.
These past few months, I have more sleepless nights than ever. My mind is just churning with thoughts. The unjust, the absurdity-- it fuels the comebacks that I often lacked when I got into the habit of letting go and my mind going blank. Things have gone so south that I couldn't help but question so many whys. I am getting back onto the wagon of questioning and understanding. It is not enough to just say: "ok, you have a different opinion, that's cool." In order to work together, we must understand, and to understand, we must talk and ask and listen.
We must stand for and make clear what we believe in. We need to shape and re-shape our beliefs and values and really think about what they mean for us.
We need to do something.
For many years, I have tried and quite successfully lived a life of moderation, of letting go. I am pretty easy going and content with how things are. If something does not go the way I expected, it is part of life, and I will find another option. But contentment, as I am realizing, is quite an internalizing feeling and thought process. Nothing comes out of it. Over the years, I have written less and less, because there is no need. Things are okay. Things are fine. I am okay and happy with how things are, with the way it is now. Breathe in breathe out. Observe the thoughts come and go. There is no need to do anything different from how things are now. Intentionally or unintentionally, I have re-guided my emotions to equanimity. I no longer feel the desire to write, as I no longer have strong opinions. It is what it is. I have no desire to do anything outside of what I am already currently doing.
My husband, on the other hand, sometimes felt bad that he is always so discontent with things, especially in comparison to me. He often finds something critical that he wants to improve upon. He is never really satisfied. He sees me and many of his friends so seemingly content, and feels alone. Why couldn't he be more happy-go-lucky like us? And for the longest time, I couldn't understand why either. I could only empathize and wish he could find peace within himself.
But now, I am coming to a realization that discontentment is actually not that negative at all. Creativity and innovation stems of dissatisfaction of the status quo. The most creative artists agonize over their current state and somehow push birth fresh perspectives, better visions, and completely new ideas. Friction creates fire. Anger, competitiveness, pressure-- they could all potentially push us to new heights, to a level even we could not even imagine.
The simmering dissatisfaction gradually reaches a boiling point, where action must be made, voices must be heard, and only then, can real change be made.
These past few months, I have more sleepless nights than ever. My mind is just churning with thoughts. The unjust, the absurdity-- it fuels the comebacks that I often lacked when I got into the habit of letting go and my mind going blank. Things have gone so south that I couldn't help but question so many whys. I am getting back onto the wagon of questioning and understanding. It is not enough to just say: "ok, you have a different opinion, that's cool." In order to work together, we must understand, and to understand, we must talk and ask and listen.
We must stand for and make clear what we believe in. We need to shape and re-shape our beliefs and values and really think about what they mean for us.
We need to do something.
