The Illusion
il·lu·sion
Something, such as a fantastic plan or desire, that causes an erroneous belief or perception.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin illsi, illsin-, from Latin, a mocking, irony, from illsus, past participle of illdere, to mock : in-, against; see in-2 + ldere, to play; see leid- in Indo-European Roots.]
And yes, this illusion has made a mockery of me. Sometimes, in remembrance, I think of the past. I recreate that innocent, (here meaning unworldly), little Scott with no plans or designs, but a simple faith and a fervent desire for everything to be all right. He's got nothing to worry about; if we ignore the simple facts. It used to be an acceptable strategy, one I made frequent use of, but recently I've found it no longer suits my purpose. The idea that if something unpleasant is happening, and you really, really want it to end, it will end: is bankrupt. Thinking that people eventually end up where they "should" end up: is quite simply wrong. Hoping that if you keep your eyes closed and do everything that everyone tells you to do, you will end up at the place you want to be: is useless. Waiting for someone you like to notice you, and when they finally do pretending that you don't notice them: will lead you to loneliness. If you plan on deception, reputation, appearances, and appropriateness rather than ability, objectivity and morality you will find that the qualities you have achieved are all of the first category and none of the latter. If you hope that by ignoring the real world and focusing on distractions, you might escape the hardships of life: you're correct; but you will also have escaped life's rewards. And if you are fortunate enough to find that your life is a lie and your plans are awry; that illusion has made a mockery of you, and yet still possess your youth and your idealism, then that is cause enough to enjoy existence once more.
Something, such as a fantastic plan or desire, that causes an erroneous belief or perception.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin illsi, illsin-, from Latin, a mocking, irony, from illsus, past participle of illdere, to mock : in-, against; see in-2 + ldere, to play; see leid- in Indo-European Roots.]
And yes, this illusion has made a mockery of me. Sometimes, in remembrance, I think of the past. I recreate that innocent, (here meaning unworldly), little Scott with no plans or designs, but a simple faith and a fervent desire for everything to be all right. He's got nothing to worry about; if we ignore the simple facts. It used to be an acceptable strategy, one I made frequent use of, but recently I've found it no longer suits my purpose. The idea that if something unpleasant is happening, and you really, really want it to end, it will end: is bankrupt. Thinking that people eventually end up where they "should" end up: is quite simply wrong. Hoping that if you keep your eyes closed and do everything that everyone tells you to do, you will end up at the place you want to be: is useless. Waiting for someone you like to notice you, and when they finally do pretending that you don't notice them: will lead you to loneliness. If you plan on deception, reputation, appearances, and appropriateness rather than ability, objectivity and morality you will find that the qualities you have achieved are all of the first category and none of the latter. If you hope that by ignoring the real world and focusing on distractions, you might escape the hardships of life: you're correct; but you will also have escaped life's rewards. And if you are fortunate enough to find that your life is a lie and your plans are awry; that illusion has made a mockery of you, and yet still possess your youth and your idealism, then that is cause enough to enjoy existence once more.