Day 131
I admire and envy all those people who have a true command over their language. Poets especially, have a knack for the word in its sound, rhythm, and meaning that I sincerily wish to share. When I pen a paragraph or even a sentence, I so often run into little blocks; the right word either doesn't exist or I don't know of it. The right structure of the sentence eludes me.
And this is why I tell everyone I know, when asked what I think they should do with their spare time. "Read more," I say. The truth is, the more one reads the greater a command of the language one reaches, and ultimately the greater command over one's own thoughts.
Often I run into people, especially younger people, who are very smart and quick witted. But they have trouble expressing their thoughts in a way that doesn't reduce them to the platitudinous, or to aligning themselves with movie characters, music videos, transitory fashion trends, and other glass pillars of the pop-cultural zeitgeist.
All I see is a generation of people in a potentially rich culture who've made a deal with the devil. The truth is, there is always a very powerful appeal to sob stories, to skimpy clothing, to extremely overt imagery and metaphor of any sort. It is a quick hit, an easy fix, a way to induce the emotion in us that we seek to feel and gluttonously indulge.
What we've sold is the subtle; we've sold the transcendental, the special, the unique. Close your eyes, and listen to all of a Beethoven symphony. Take off your headphones, throw out your cell phone, and really absorb the world as it passes by through the bus window. I mean really absorb it. Try to forget yourself. Some sensations take time, they take energy, effort, patience, openness, thought, and most of all, courage. The most desirable and powerful feelings we can ever acheive as humans aren't those which are pushed upon us, or those to which we simply sit and expose ourselves, but rather those in which we partake at all levels possible.
Do you see angry, sad, apathetic, hopeful, or overjoyed people, who look frustrated because they have no way to express what's in their minds? I think I do all the time, in print and in person. I am constantly reminded of my beautiful and brilliant baby sister, who at 14 months clearly wants to speak, to express herself, but does not yet have the means to do so. Like infants we fumble about with our words, pointing here and there, grasping for the objects of the world, trying with a desparation to let others into our minds, while at the same time efforting to protect the individualism we've been so deeply taught to revere, and the embarrassing proclivities we've been conditioned to hide.
This is the conflict I feel inside. I find solace in family, in love, and in nature.
Oh! On another note entirely, I want to wish all the moms of the world a happy Mother's Day, and especially my own mom, who has been my whole life the best, most reliable, caring, loving, (and tough when necessary) a kid could ever ask for. Thanks for everything.
And this is why I tell everyone I know, when asked what I think they should do with their spare time. "Read more," I say. The truth is, the more one reads the greater a command of the language one reaches, and ultimately the greater command over one's own thoughts.
Often I run into people, especially younger people, who are very smart and quick witted. But they have trouble expressing their thoughts in a way that doesn't reduce them to the platitudinous, or to aligning themselves with movie characters, music videos, transitory fashion trends, and other glass pillars of the pop-cultural zeitgeist.
All I see is a generation of people in a potentially rich culture who've made a deal with the devil. The truth is, there is always a very powerful appeal to sob stories, to skimpy clothing, to extremely overt imagery and metaphor of any sort. It is a quick hit, an easy fix, a way to induce the emotion in us that we seek to feel and gluttonously indulge.
What we've sold is the subtle; we've sold the transcendental, the special, the unique. Close your eyes, and listen to all of a Beethoven symphony. Take off your headphones, throw out your cell phone, and really absorb the world as it passes by through the bus window. I mean really absorb it. Try to forget yourself. Some sensations take time, they take energy, effort, patience, openness, thought, and most of all, courage. The most desirable and powerful feelings we can ever acheive as humans aren't those which are pushed upon us, or those to which we simply sit and expose ourselves, but rather those in which we partake at all levels possible.
Do you see angry, sad, apathetic, hopeful, or overjoyed people, who look frustrated because they have no way to express what's in their minds? I think I do all the time, in print and in person. I am constantly reminded of my beautiful and brilliant baby sister, who at 14 months clearly wants to speak, to express herself, but does not yet have the means to do so. Like infants we fumble about with our words, pointing here and there, grasping for the objects of the world, trying with a desparation to let others into our minds, while at the same time efforting to protect the individualism we've been so deeply taught to revere, and the embarrassing proclivities we've been conditioned to hide.
This is the conflict I feel inside. I find solace in family, in love, and in nature.
Oh! On another note entirely, I want to wish all the moms of the world a happy Mother's Day, and especially my own mom, who has been my whole life the best, most reliable, caring, loving, (and tough when necessary) a kid could ever ask for. Thanks for everything.
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