"Didion [suggests] that when we write down details of place and time and people, we are also writing a description of ourselves. I never thought about it that way before, but it's true. . . . Who we are will always be present in what we observe, what we write; what, out of all we observe, we choose to write; how we choose to write it; how we are changed by writing it."
This evening I wandered onto a friend-of-a-friend's blog that had a single entry, most of which appears in the preceding paragraph. Her words reminded me of another recent experience I had in the blogosphere.
This whole Palin thing has been on my mind a lot lately, and when I read another blogger's enthusiasm about McCain's choice I was struck by the differences in our perceptions. Christie's view was very optimistic; mine was more pragmatic, and perhaps a bit cynical. Seen in the context of our other posts, our responses say as much about us as they do about the event we observed. Christie strikes me as a very positive person who finds joy in the colorful pleasures of life. By contrast, I feel my approach to life is mostly black and white practicality, with a hint of world-weary cynicism. I want to see more color in life, but I'm just not sure how to do it.
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6 comments:
good thing we're all different!!! if we saw life the same i think it could get boring. thats how we learn and grow is from others. i don't know how to make you "see more color in life" though ... it's hard changing our nature ... and i don't see anything wrong with black/white and practicality.
When I became a missionary, I remember having to really work at being friendly and making connections with people. I also had to really step out of my comfort zone to NEVER be alone once in 18 months. My need for alone time (blue side) and my ruthless desire to do things my own way (red side) have always been a part of my make up. Practice, however, has made me a person who strives harder to become acquainted with others, and the immersion in companionship prepared me greatly for marriage.
Maybe what I'm saying is that changing your nature or personality or whatever it is that gives you such pragmatism, isn't necessary; but maybe once you accept your basic self it is then easier to say, "Okay, what attributes am I missing tht would bring me closer to the Savior? And then how can HE help me find ways to work on them?" I think it is such a part of woman-nature to look around ourselves and say, "Oo! I would love to have KimBlue's tender mother heart! Or Christie's optimism, or Caitlin's faith, or Slim's talents!" But such wishing is missing the point. No matter how much we admire the qualities of others, the only thing the Lord is interested in is ourself, our best self, our self striving to learn from His example.
I sound a little preachy here. I don't mean to. There are several times each week when I say something to myself like, "Stop that, STM. You don't need to be like that, have that, or do that to be worthwhile." There is a nice article in the Sept. Ensign from the first counselor in the general YW Presidency. She gave a metaphor for how long and tedious the journey can seem if we always look down during the day to day trudge up the mountain, forgetting that our destination is the summit. Even before we make it to the top however, there IS time to stop, enjoy the journey and look around at the smaller, less glorious vistas provided along the way.
I think the main reason I posted my talk this week was the desperate need for something other than politics. We do need to get involved, but sometimes I forget that even the best of mortal systems will pass away and then only our preparation to be governed by the Lord will matter.
I wish I could leave a short, concise comment like Jodi Jean. *Sigh* One more thing to work on. You know the parables: I'm sure brevity is a Christlike attribute.
ScienceTeacherMommy has me pegged. I do tend to over-simplify things. (See previous post's comments on this blog.) But I also enjoy reading others' in-depth analysis of complex issues.
My first comment here was a little intense, for me. Must come from my red-headed mother. We fire up easily. Whee!
From previous lurking on your blog and your comments on STM's, I find you to be straightforward, insightful and of discriminating tastes. Different is good!
Thanks to all three of you for the reminder that our differences can benefit each other, and keep life interesting. :)
I don't necessarily want to change my nature so much as make it less extreme. I think I often take life too seriously, and I'd like to remember to look up and enjoy the vistas more. Ah well - we're all works in progress.
P.S. Christie, your redhead comment made me laugh.
P.P.S. STM, some of your comments are short, and some of the parables are long. The length of a response should fit the need. Besides, when you have a lot to say I enjoy the conversation.
hehe ... i love how everyone's comments are all completely different, which totally goes with the post.
Good point. :)
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