Being sick made me realize that something I need to do, something we all need to do, really, is just to slow down. How often do we pass by the same scenery without really even appreciating it or perceiving it? (Thank you, Theory/Practice of Literary Study!) After a while, everything just blends into the background, and it becomes just a blur of colors that you pass by on your way to work or home or classes. When you brush your teeth, do you even look at the toothpaste you're using? Are there little whitening crystals in it? Or are there blue dots for sensitivity protection? These are the little things that make life, life. And I'm sad to say that I've been going through motions without actually realizing how much is truly going on around me. The snow falls off of a tree when the wind blows. Usually, I duck my head to avoid getting snowed upon, but one time recently I actually stopped where I was walking, even though He-Oh-Holy-One-Up-Yonder knows that I was in a rush (per usual), and I took time to appreciate the beauty of the snow. My environment is becoming more important to me than ever, and I'm really starting to care about issues such as global warming! (Thank you, American Earth English class!)
Also, I'm learning that it's important to embrace solitude, rather than avoid it at all costs or to see it in a negative light. Usually, because of my overanalyzing tendencies and my anxious nature, whenever I'm sitting still for too long or have too much time alone or for thinking, I start to think about things that upset me. All of these what-ifs and my biggest fears come creeping into my mind.
Related to biggest fears, I'm beginning to come to terms with the fact that people and animals are not immortal, and neither are concepts or ideas, for that matter. Some, such as Shakespeare's work, have lasted through the ages. But the idea that the Earth is flat, the idea that two men cannot marry each other, the idea that women should not be able to vote - these ideas are defunct, in the most rudimentary sense that they are untrue. So much of what we believe in today, we will no longer believe in tomorrow - because those beliefs will be incorrect. Here is a really interesting link called "10 Completely False 'Facts' Everyone Else Knows" ! It will really change your perspective - it sure did for me! -and it will make you more curious about the things you're told are "true". Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
xx BAS
Also, I'm learning that it's important to embrace solitude, rather than avoid it at all costs or to see it in a negative light. Usually, because of my overanalyzing tendencies and my anxious nature, whenever I'm sitting still for too long or have too much time alone or for thinking, I start to think about things that upset me. All of these what-ifs and my biggest fears come creeping into my mind.
Related to biggest fears, I'm beginning to come to terms with the fact that people and animals are not immortal, and neither are concepts or ideas, for that matter. Some, such as Shakespeare's work, have lasted through the ages. But the idea that the Earth is flat, the idea that two men cannot marry each other, the idea that women should not be able to vote - these ideas are defunct, in the most rudimentary sense that they are untrue. So much of what we believe in today, we will no longer believe in tomorrow - because those beliefs will be incorrect. Here is a really interesting link called "10 Completely False 'Facts' Everyone Else Knows" ! It will really change your perspective - it sure did for me! -and it will make you more curious about the things you're told are "true". Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
xx BAS