Why is it so hard to act on inspiration? I read a few blog posts the other day and got all inspired to start doing things to make my days more exciting. Does deciding to do something count? No, it doesn't, which is why I'm all annoyed with myself. I want to exercise every day, I want to have my apartment comepletely clean, I want to make nice suppers and chop things in advance. Wouldn't that be nice? But, no, I let things pass and I can hardly remember what it was that got me all inspired in the first place.
I remember hearing in seminary that when something gets you inspired (help! need a thesaurus!) you should act on it right away - accept upon yourself something, anything, even something unrelated. This way your ideas are grounded in the physical reality in some way. At least this way you'll think of praying better every time you stop chewing your nails.
So what do I choose? How's about this - inspiring thoughts go on the blog. This way I've done something and can reflect on it on later dates. And, I can have your opinions and help and stuff - you, the reader. (Readers? Do I have a plural audience yet?) And maybe I can even spread the wealth.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Fall of Cynicism
That's it. I'm fed up and annoyed.
(And, Hi! Welcome to my blog. Sorry to start off on such a note, but this gotta get this off my chest.)
I like cynicism and sarcasm. They're fun and witty and make for a really interesting perspective on the world. Who doesn't? You? Oh, sorry, you're in the wrong place then. (Not true not true not true - really, I plan on having some nice things here, like how I plan on making my days better one step at a time, or my battle for full nights of sleep, or how I'm trying to do my master's, keep my apartment clean, cook, and stay sane. Just ignore this post, all you happy people. But come back later.)
However, I'm really getting sick of all the cynicism. I don't know if I'm more bored or annoyed. You didn't want to write a list of 25? Neither did anyone - it's #1 on the list for almost every list I've seen. (Including mine, I'm not above bashing myself in public :) ) It's not cute, it's not original, and as far as I can tell, the only point is to seperate you from the crowd, all those followers who do memes without thinking because everyone did it. Congratulations! You're one of the other group, another group whose sole purpose is to not be the first.
Point the second. What is it with people who are obsessed with criticizing, classifying or (word with a C! word with a C!) judging others? Yes, maybe I'm part of that group. It's fun, it makes you feel good. I'm better than you - I can make fun of what you're doing! Scratch the loshon harah - I won't tell anyone about it, I won't use names or any definitive circumstances whatsoever. 'You know what annoys me? People who walk around with their mouths open.' (Seriously, if you do it, it makes you look silly. Please stop.) Why do I do this? Why do people do this? OK, so I think a lot. I should be thinking GOOD things about people! Why can't sentences start with "You know what I like?" Why can't I see people and be impressed instead of annoyed? The judging is driving me crazy.
And where did this start? Yes, FrumMeetsWorld, it was your post. I love your writing beyond, and I'm so happy that RandomizingSequences linked me to you. I feel like I'm going to have a great time. BUT - that post really riled me up. I won't sum it up because I won't do it justice - dear readers, if you're interested, the link is right there, go read it yourself. Even read my comment. To tie it in - why go judging everyone? Who are you (the collective you, not you, FrumMeetsWorld) to go classifying people. You're in a class too - do you enjoy being judged by stereotypes? (I'm linking to you because I've heard this helps your google rank or something or other. It's to get you traffic, not to discredit. Really, I enjoy your blog a lot so far.)
In high school I took up a side in an argument saying that there is a point to generalizing, it's not all for the bad. I still hold this is true. However, I think that individuals stereotyping and judging is not a positive trait and shouldn't be encouraged. Fine, be cynical. But maybe let's limit the advertising of it? Work on it with me, y'all?
(And, Hi! Welcome to my blog. Sorry to start off on such a note, but this gotta get this off my chest.)
I like cynicism and sarcasm. They're fun and witty and make for a really interesting perspective on the world. Who doesn't? You? Oh, sorry, you're in the wrong place then. (Not true not true not true - really, I plan on having some nice things here, like how I plan on making my days better one step at a time, or my battle for full nights of sleep, or how I'm trying to do my master's, keep my apartment clean, cook, and stay sane. Just ignore this post, all you happy people. But come back later.)
However, I'm really getting sick of all the cynicism. I don't know if I'm more bored or annoyed. You didn't want to write a list of 25? Neither did anyone - it's #1 on the list for almost every list I've seen. (Including mine, I'm not above bashing myself in public :) ) It's not cute, it's not original, and as far as I can tell, the only point is to seperate you from the crowd, all those followers who do memes without thinking because everyone did it. Congratulations! You're one of the other group, another group whose sole purpose is to not be the first.
Point the second. What is it with people who are obsessed with criticizing, classifying or (word with a C! word with a C!) judging others? Yes, maybe I'm part of that group. It's fun, it makes you feel good. I'm better than you - I can make fun of what you're doing! Scratch the loshon harah - I won't tell anyone about it, I won't use names or any definitive circumstances whatsoever. 'You know what annoys me? People who walk around with their mouths open.' (Seriously, if you do it, it makes you look silly. Please stop.) Why do I do this? Why do people do this? OK, so I think a lot. I should be thinking GOOD things about people! Why can't sentences start with "You know what I like?" Why can't I see people and be impressed instead of annoyed? The judging is driving me crazy.
And where did this start? Yes, FrumMeetsWorld, it was your post. I love your writing beyond, and I'm so happy that RandomizingSequences linked me to you. I feel like I'm going to have a great time. BUT - that post really riled me up. I won't sum it up because I won't do it justice - dear readers, if you're interested, the link is right there, go read it yourself. Even read my comment. To tie it in - why go judging everyone? Who are you (the collective you, not you, FrumMeetsWorld) to go classifying people. You're in a class too - do you enjoy being judged by stereotypes? (I'm linking to you because I've heard this helps your google rank or something or other. It's to get you traffic, not to discredit. Really, I enjoy your blog a lot so far.)
In high school I took up a side in an argument saying that there is a point to generalizing, it's not all for the bad. I still hold this is true. However, I think that individuals stereotyping and judging is not a positive trait and shouldn't be encouraged. Fine, be cynical. But maybe let's limit the advertising of it? Work on it with me, y'all?
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