(no subject)
I think that I'm beginning to see with some more detail the problems that face my world, that being american middle class existence. Im beginning to see the flaws in almost all people, the deep seated materialism in some, the venality and addiction to self gratification in others. Everything happening in my world lately has simply started me thinking more than i wish i would. People that I used to respect, or even feel inferior to are being revealed to me as human. And i do not mean that in a flattering way. The pope dying has something to do with it I believe. Because he died, a hefty amount of media attention has been directed at his life, and at how truly good he was. I never really knew about him until recently and I think this has given me an ethical and moral role model that I and many other people previouslty lacked. He stuck to his beliefs, he was unpersuaded by anyone or anything other than that which he believed to be true. A genuine, selfless, moral man.
So I see this lack of curiosity in many of my peers. A lack of intellectual curiosity, and a lack of moral curiosity, with never a thought given to the idea that maybe "I just want to be happy" isnt the most noble of mission statements. Im not saying im innocent of that state of mind, but ive at least begun to explore the possibility that suffering isnt a completely bad thing, that maybe i should always try to do the more difficult thing. Does anybody else think the same thing? does anybody think that maybe we're just all living our lives in the wrong way? Maybe ignorance, or impotence to change anything is a good enough excuse. Who knows? maybe the fact that theres no one here to tell us otherwise, and no real personal examples of an alternative mindset is a good enough reason to keep ignoring others suffering, and avoiding self suffering at all cost. But maybe it isnt. What if its everyones duty to actually change themselves, and try to change others. Would we fail as true people, true choice making beings if we just did the same dance our parents did? Would we be even less, even worse failures if we told our kids our dance is how its done and thats that?
Im afraid for our history. Im scared that maybe we will just keep wallowing down this muddy slope until we hit bottom. I dont know how something could save us, end the materialism, the self gratification, the irresponsibility. But something needs to.
I guess the point, or question or whatever that Im trying to get across is,
Are we all really satisfied with the way life is set up so far? With the way we associate with people, and the way that we evaluate other people and ourselves? Are we fine with what we're expected to do, and how our lives are supposed to be lived? Doesnt anyone else feel like an inmate in a prison we cant see, fighting over cigarettes we think are worth the whole world? Im posting this as an actual question. Give it thought.
So I see this lack of curiosity in many of my peers. A lack of intellectual curiosity, and a lack of moral curiosity, with never a thought given to the idea that maybe "I just want to be happy" isnt the most noble of mission statements. Im not saying im innocent of that state of mind, but ive at least begun to explore the possibility that suffering isnt a completely bad thing, that maybe i should always try to do the more difficult thing. Does anybody else think the same thing? does anybody think that maybe we're just all living our lives in the wrong way? Maybe ignorance, or impotence to change anything is a good enough excuse. Who knows? maybe the fact that theres no one here to tell us otherwise, and no real personal examples of an alternative mindset is a good enough reason to keep ignoring others suffering, and avoiding self suffering at all cost. But maybe it isnt. What if its everyones duty to actually change themselves, and try to change others. Would we fail as true people, true choice making beings if we just did the same dance our parents did? Would we be even less, even worse failures if we told our kids our dance is how its done and thats that?
Im afraid for our history. Im scared that maybe we will just keep wallowing down this muddy slope until we hit bottom. I dont know how something could save us, end the materialism, the self gratification, the irresponsibility. But something needs to.
I guess the point, or question or whatever that Im trying to get across is,
Are we all really satisfied with the way life is set up so far? With the way we associate with people, and the way that we evaluate other people and ourselves? Are we fine with what we're expected to do, and how our lives are supposed to be lived? Doesnt anyone else feel like an inmate in a prison we cant see, fighting over cigarettes we think are worth the whole world? Im posting this as an actual question. Give it thought.