similar, if not almost completely identical. For humans, the world is our outlet, and secluding oneself from such things can be devasting and catastrophic. In losing the things that are most important and most necessary in life, a person will lose herself. Without herself, her soul begins to leave too. Besides being involved or interacting with the world around you, speaking your mind and standing up for what you believe in is also a necessity. Otherwise, your often left feeling smothered or influenced, perhaps both. On several occasions, I have felt smothered and influenced by other people. I didn't have a face. I let them dictate the things around me and in my world, and consequently, I was unhappy and unwilling to participate in aspects of my own life. Fed up and frustrated, I took a stand and spoke my mind once. One time was the difference for me. Don't stifle yourself. The world is a great big outlet. The people of this world are the plugs. If we don't plug ourselves in, we have no power. We have no face.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Look Ma, No Face
Soul shrinking. It sounds like something someone might use in a folktale or a myth, perhaps a story about Black Magic or Voodoo. In society, today, soul shrinking is so much more than that. Communication is a large component of human life, and without it, human life can lose much of it's meaning. Compare that to "shrinking from the world." Eerily, they are extremely
similar, if not almost completely identical. For humans, the world is our outlet, and secluding oneself from such things can be devasting and catastrophic. In losing the things that are most important and most necessary in life, a person will lose herself. Without herself, her soul begins to leave too. Besides being involved or interacting with the world around you, speaking your mind and standing up for what you believe in is also a necessity. Otherwise, your often left feeling smothered or influenced, perhaps both. On several occasions, I have felt smothered and influenced by other people. I didn't have a face. I let them dictate the things around me and in my world, and consequently, I was unhappy and unwilling to participate in aspects of my own life. Fed up and frustrated, I took a stand and spoke my mind once. One time was the difference for me. Don't stifle yourself. The world is a great big outlet. The people of this world are the plugs. If we don't plug ourselves in, we have no power. We have no face.
similar, if not almost completely identical. For humans, the world is our outlet, and secluding oneself from such things can be devasting and catastrophic. In losing the things that are most important and most necessary in life, a person will lose herself. Without herself, her soul begins to leave too. Besides being involved or interacting with the world around you, speaking your mind and standing up for what you believe in is also a necessity. Otherwise, your often left feeling smothered or influenced, perhaps both. On several occasions, I have felt smothered and influenced by other people. I didn't have a face. I let them dictate the things around me and in my world, and consequently, I was unhappy and unwilling to participate in aspects of my own life. Fed up and frustrated, I took a stand and spoke my mind once. One time was the difference for me. Don't stifle yourself. The world is a great big outlet. The people of this world are the plugs. If we don't plug ourselves in, we have no power. We have no face.
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I agree that communication is immensely important in life. I like that you said that even speaking out one time when you did not agree with the things being forced into your mind really made a difference. I feel that often times we find ourselves accepting what we have been told to think is true and that can lead to losing ourselves, or our face as you put it so nicely. Without our own individual thoughts, actions and personality, we become just another part of the crowd.
ReplyDeleteI really love the metaphor you use about the world being our outlet and how we need to plug ourselves in. When we isolate ourselves from the world we lose our sense of purpose and empowerment. The people in our lives and community are a huge part of who we were are as indiviudals. At the same time, though, we have to remember that we can't allow others to influence us to the point of dictating who we become. I guess we just have to find the right balance.
ReplyDeleteKiah, I like your metaphor and I agree communication is so important but today, so many young people communicate by texting, or emailing. Which is okay, if that is how you are going to show your voice. I just hope, that people will actually do it in person too!
ReplyDeleteIt is always important to speak out no matter if you think what you are going to say is the wrong thing or if you might think that it will be "dumb" or "wrong". Most of the time there is always someone out there that is wanting to speak up about the same thing. However, they are afraid to do so. I am glad that you took the innitiative to take a stand once. Don't let it be the last time though, speak up and say what is on your mind no matter the situation.
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