At the End of the Day
Today's post is going to be short and sweet. I've read and heard so many times over the last few years the same message.
Be yourself.
At the end of the day, you're the only person you need to make happy.
It's my party and I'll do what I want to.
The message feels liberating, and it makes a lot of sense. You should have the right to choose, the right to do whatever you want. It's your life. This message pops up in songs, movies, and politics on a daily basic. Everyone's pushing for it. We all just want to be free.
Unfortunately, this message is a lie.
Don't get me wrong. I am a huge proponent of freedom of choice, and full heartily agree that you should have the right to choose what happens in your life. However, these people are only telling you half the story. They forget to mention that you don't get to choose the consequences.
I'm sorry. You just don't. No matter how fantastic you are, there will still be consequences - both good and bad. Just because you are choosing to "express yourself" in a certain manner, doesn't mean that everyone is obligated to bow down and think you are a genius for doing so.
We live in such a narcissistic society. The attitude is becoming more and more, "To heck with my family and friends, as long as I'm happy." "My choices are offensive or hurting other people? Too bad. It's my life."
This is just so sad. The people who buy into this are missing out on so much happiness in their lives. If you make poor decisions, or choose to do things that hurt those who are closest to you, you will end up unhappy. That's just the way life works, whether we like it or not.
If you choose not to make other people happy, you might not be that great of a friend.
Seriously, since when did putting someone else's happiness before your own become a bad thing?
If you choose to run a red light, you might cause an accident.
If you choose to post something racist, you will probably get backlash.
No one has to suck up and be nice to you just because your blog's layout is pretty. (This is a good thing to remember before hitting publish.)
If you choose to take time out of your schedule to visit your family, you might make their day.
If you major in something soft (like French), you will probably make less money than if you'd studied computer engineering.
You better believe I'm still kicking myself over this one. "Study what you're passionate about, and a career will follow" is probably the worst advice you can give to an undergrad.
If you spend time with your children (or nieces/nephews), you might just build a special bond with them.
If you choose to take the time to tell a child why they're important, they might learn how much they're worth.
If you choose to walk away from an abusive relationship, you might learn how much you're worth.
In the words of Albus Dumbledore,
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
What are your choices saying about you?
Be yourself.
At the end of the day, you're the only person you need to make happy.
It's my party and I'll do what I want to.
The message feels liberating, and it makes a lot of sense. You should have the right to choose, the right to do whatever you want. It's your life. This message pops up in songs, movies, and politics on a daily basic. Everyone's pushing for it. We all just want to be free.
Unfortunately, this message is a lie.
Don't get me wrong. I am a huge proponent of freedom of choice, and full heartily agree that you should have the right to choose what happens in your life. However, these people are only telling you half the story. They forget to mention that you don't get to choose the consequences.
I'm sorry. You just don't. No matter how fantastic you are, there will still be consequences - both good and bad. Just because you are choosing to "express yourself" in a certain manner, doesn't mean that everyone is obligated to bow down and think you are a genius for doing so.
We live in such a narcissistic society. The attitude is becoming more and more, "To heck with my family and friends, as long as I'm happy." "My choices are offensive or hurting other people? Too bad. It's my life."
This is just so sad. The people who buy into this are missing out on so much happiness in their lives. If you make poor decisions, or choose to do things that hurt those who are closest to you, you will end up unhappy. That's just the way life works, whether we like it or not.
If you choose not to make other people happy, you might not be that great of a friend.
Seriously, since when did putting someone else's happiness before your own become a bad thing?
If you choose to run a red light, you might cause an accident.
If you choose to post something racist, you will probably get backlash.
No one has to suck up and be nice to you just because your blog's layout is pretty. (This is a good thing to remember before hitting publish.)
If you choose to take time out of your schedule to visit your family, you might make their day.
If you major in something soft (like French), you will probably make less money than if you'd studied computer engineering.
You better believe I'm still kicking myself over this one. "Study what you're passionate about, and a career will follow" is probably the worst advice you can give to an undergrad.
If you spend time with your children (or nieces/nephews), you might just build a special bond with them.
If you choose to take the time to tell a child why they're important, they might learn how much they're worth.
If you choose to walk away from an abusive relationship, you might learn how much you're worth.
...........................
In the words of Albus Dumbledore,
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
What are your choices saying about you?
Comments
Post a Comment
I'd love to know what you think!