While I was reading other people's blogs today I came across Aidel Knaidel's post "the fear lives inside" ...and it made me think of "Ephrams Essay" from Everwood which was read at the end of an episode. The episode played years ago (I think '04), and I remember it so well. I actually used it in my schools newspaper. Anyway, here is his essay:
"The more things change the more they stay the same. I’m not sure who the first person was who said that, maybe Shakespeare, maybe Sting. But at this moment, it’s the sentence that best explains my tragic flaw: my inability to change. I don’t think I’m alone in this. The more I get to know other people I realize it’s kind of everyone’s flaw. Staying exactly the same, for as long as possible. Standing perfectly still it seems better somehow, and if you are suffering, at least the pain is familiar. Because if you took that leap of faith, jumped outside the box, did something unexpected, who knows what other pain could be waiting out there. Chances are It could be even worse. So you maintain status quo, choose the road already traveled it doesnt seem that bad, not as far as flaws go, you’re not a drug addict, your not killing anyone, except for maybe yourself a little. When you finally do change i dont think it happens like an earthquake or an explosion, where all of a sudden we are a different person. I think its smaller than that. The kind of thing most people wouldn’t even notice, unless they looked really, really close. Which thank God they never do. But you notice it and inside you that change feels like a world of a difference and you hope that it is. And you hope that this is the person who you get to be forever, and you never have to change again."
-Ephrams Essay
12 comments:
yikes that was painfully familiar
"But now is just not a great time to be fearful. I am growing up, and I know that things will change one day, and that I must embrace them and not cower in their presence."
Seriously? A post about fear of the real world? This generation has no clue how good they have it.
orthoprax: "Seriously? A post about fear of the real world? This generation has no clue how good they have it."
You sound like an old man disciplining his children. lol.
Seriously tho, I think its natural to have this "fear" of the real world. Especially, at an age where we have so many options and our lives aren't so planned out for us. We have to make our own decisions and there are SO many great ones, but theres always the fear of "not being happy" with the one we choose in the end, and then change is something many people are seriously incapable of doing. Choosing the wrong "path" may lead to life-long resentment.
As good as we have it, we still adapt. And therefore, it doesnt seem as good. So, even if we realize it, we'll still aim for "great" which, even if acquired, will only satisfy us for a bit, until we want even better than great! and so on and so forth...
But yea...we have it good, I know. Lucky me I think I can deal with change. Yet I do find myself very fearful of the future.
I am a grumpy old man. And I take the long view of history.
It wasn't too long ago that the average person had to worry about just surviving in the vagaries of an unforgiving world. And Jews especially had life and death struggles more severe than most.
They didn't have the luxury of such crises of freedom. That's what this is - a fear of luxury.
The fallacy is in thinking that you ever "arrive" at happiness. Be happy with whatever lot you choose in life and you'll be happy in life.
"They didn't have the luxury of such crises of freedom. That's what this is - a fear of luxury."
You're right.
The fallacy is in thinking that you ever "arrive" at happiness. Be happy with whatever lot you choose in life and you'll be happy in life.
Agreed. But sometimes it's easier said than done. people do hit highs/lows, and they tend to blame themselves and their choices for it. So appreciating the choices instead of blaming them isn't always easy.
It will be a time for our generation to be afraid if Obama gets in the white house.
"Oh no she didn't!"
"Oh yes she did!"
If there are any Obama fans who read this blog, I will not have a political debate with you. Sorry.
Change usually happens when it's forced upon us. It's Darwinism. Adapt or die. People learn to adapt to the point they don't realize they've changed.
Jessica: Huckabee? Dude ruled.
frumpunk: awesome screen name. not a big fan of huckabee, I've been pro-McCain from the beginning.
Huckabee ruled? He's a throwback channeling the spirit of William Jennings Bryan.
Huckabee was the only one running who felt like a person, not a political machine. He was funny, personable, plus he plays Guitar Hero and Bass in a band called Capitol Offence.
So he's a fundamentalist? Big deal. Its not like he can pass a law amending the constitution to bring it in line with his Christian values like so many stupid people think he would have done.
Plus, if you're a frum Jew... you're a fundamentalist.
"Huckabee was the only one running who felt like a person, not a political machine."
Heh.
"So he's a fundamentalist? Big deal. Its not like he can pass a law amending the constitution to bring it in line with his Christian values like so many stupid people think he would have done."
Folks who seriously have the rapture on their minds tend to scare me when they actually have the power to bring about global destruction.
Plus, his social policy is blatantly of purely religious motivation and he would doubtlessly inject it everywhere in his political activity. That he can't pass actual amendments doesn't mean he couldn't do a lot of damage.
"Plus, if you're a frum Jew... you're a fundamentalist."
Only if you define "frum" in that way.
The best candidate is Ron Paul!
No taxes, no electoral college and legalize it.
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