So today, I went over to Lincoln Park to walk around and get a dose of window shopping, and buying a new CD or two at the Best Buy. During this time, in Chicago, there are so many establishments that have an outdoor seating section. People are talking, eating, being seen, and enjoying their time with the Chicago summers. I couldn't help but try to listen into their random conversations as I walked by, and made up stories for all of the people.
During this time, I noticed that many people were rather attractive in this neighborhood. Everywhere I looked, there were attractive people. I almost felt like I didn't belong in this neighborhood or something. As I normally do, this got me thinking as I walked to my bus stop at Fullerton and Halsted. Over and over in my head, I couldn't avoid the question, "What makes someone attractive?" I started to think about this, and started to rationally break things down into subgroups to try to figure out this answer.
For example, if my friends and I were at a bar, and people were to come up to us as a group, I wouldn't be one of those people that people drool over. But yet, what makes someone that? Are people just more lucky and "more attractive?" Are there attractive levels, and thus, do people abide to these levels and if you are a higher level, do you earn the right to be able to dismiss the people "lower" than you? Who determines who is more attractive than who?
It got me to really think that life couldn't possibly be this crule. Then another thought popped in my mind. Is it possible that we are all attractive? Just that some people come accross as being "unattractive" because of they aren't their ideal? Let me explain further. Does everyone have a perfect image? Those people that are unattractive, are they missing perfection? For example, does everyone have a perfect weight? a perfect hair style? a perfect color to wear? a perfect muscle tone? It's just that this is different for everyone, and eveyone needs to figure out what exactly is the perfect look for every individual?
So, here are two theories, 1, everyone is attractive in nature, but people aren't the right weight, hair cut, muscle, clothe style, or theory 2, there are attractive people and unattractive people flat out in the world. With theory 1, my theory, I guess it gives everyone the ability to change, and improve themselves. Some of it might take work, but at least it gives people hope. Of course this is assuming that people who feel unattractive, are those people that feel that there is something "wrong" with them. In theory 2, if you are one of those unattractive people, then I guess your life is doomed, and you need to meet another unattractive person and live unhappily ever after.
On that note, I would never say I am an beautiful, or attractive person. I'd like to say that I am a really good person that could make someone really happy. But in a society where the rules of attraction are so rigid, how does one become transparent enough that your inner beauty becomes more of a focus than your outer look? This is the question in which I shall rest for now, and continue my thought process for another posting. :)
Friday, June 23, 2006
Friday, June 16, 2006
Believe in Yourself
So, it's official. I have moved into my new apartment in Chicago. This apartment is bigger than I could ever imagine, and the biggest that I have had since I have been living in the residence halls. I have a great view of the Chicago skyline from my apartment, and overall there is culture around me that I really missed in Salisbury.
I was waiting for a subway on the Blue Line here in Chicago, and there was a person playing the guitar for tips. Yes, subway stations have such fantastic acoustics that even I could probably sound good. But still, the fact remains that he was really talented, and he really could sing. He might have been in his early 30s, clothe that probably had been worn for about 3 days straight. He had a out of style, under maintenanced afro to his hair, and shoes that probably had walked about 20,000 miles more than it's capacity. Nevertheless, he was putting himself out there, and passionately sang his song about Love, Hope, and Religion. I stood there and listened to his music for about 5 minutes till my train came and echoed throughout the station so that I couldn't hear his voice any more. On my way to getting on the train, I put a dollar and some loose change I had in my pocket in his guitar case.
After getting on the subway, it made me think about the culture, and seeing so much diversity in Chicago. It really got me excited about the opportunities for myself and allowing myself to be the person I want to be. If that man can sit in the middle of a subway station and make a difference in my life, I have the same kind of opportunities as he does, minus perhaps the talent in playing a guitar. Too many times we don't do things because we don't like the way it might look, or how your image might be compromised. Sometimes we love to sing, but don't because you don't like the way you might be seen or heard. Sometimes we love to dance, but we don't because of how others might see you being goofy, or acting "stupid". Too many times we sacrifice so much of what we love because of someone else. I guess as the saying goes..."Sing like no one is listening, Dance like no one is watching..." (there is more to that saying, but for time being I will leave that at that..)
We live in a society in which diversity is celebrated. We have so much work to do, but if we start with ourselves, and stop worrying about what others might think, and just do things and live the life you have always wanted to live, than maybe society might be a better place. Sure, it sounds selfish, but how long do we really have in life? Do we ever know? If that man can sing his heart out in the middle of the subway station crowd, what's to say we can't live our life, our dreams, and try to be original and ourselves as we like to see ourselves? We can. We don't need to wait till we have courage, or a brain, or a heart. The truth is, we already have it. Just like those guys in the movie.
The question is, do we believe we do?
I was waiting for a subway on the Blue Line here in Chicago, and there was a person playing the guitar for tips. Yes, subway stations have such fantastic acoustics that even I could probably sound good. But still, the fact remains that he was really talented, and he really could sing. He might have been in his early 30s, clothe that probably had been worn for about 3 days straight. He had a out of style, under maintenanced afro to his hair, and shoes that probably had walked about 20,000 miles more than it's capacity. Nevertheless, he was putting himself out there, and passionately sang his song about Love, Hope, and Religion. I stood there and listened to his music for about 5 minutes till my train came and echoed throughout the station so that I couldn't hear his voice any more. On my way to getting on the train, I put a dollar and some loose change I had in my pocket in his guitar case.
After getting on the subway, it made me think about the culture, and seeing so much diversity in Chicago. It really got me excited about the opportunities for myself and allowing myself to be the person I want to be. If that man can sit in the middle of a subway station and make a difference in my life, I have the same kind of opportunities as he does, minus perhaps the talent in playing a guitar. Too many times we don't do things because we don't like the way it might look, or how your image might be compromised. Sometimes we love to sing, but don't because you don't like the way you might be seen or heard. Sometimes we love to dance, but we don't because of how others might see you being goofy, or acting "stupid". Too many times we sacrifice so much of what we love because of someone else. I guess as the saying goes..."Sing like no one is listening, Dance like no one is watching..." (there is more to that saying, but for time being I will leave that at that..)
We live in a society in which diversity is celebrated. We have so much work to do, but if we start with ourselves, and stop worrying about what others might think, and just do things and live the life you have always wanted to live, than maybe society might be a better place. Sure, it sounds selfish, but how long do we really have in life? Do we ever know? If that man can sing his heart out in the middle of the subway station crowd, what's to say we can't live our life, our dreams, and try to be original and ourselves as we like to see ourselves? We can. We don't need to wait till we have courage, or a brain, or a heart. The truth is, we already have it. Just like those guys in the movie.
The question is, do we believe we do?
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Unwritten.
"Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation."
- Robert F. Kennedy
So, this blog thing I have been doing has not been going so well. I haven't written much in a while, and I am disappointing my readership. It crosses my mind to write something, but many times I find myself contemplating what to write about, and in turn, can't write anything worthwhile. So, today, as I accept Steve's challenge to write something, here it goes.
We change, evolve, and most importantly we live. Every moment in life, we do all of these things. As I spend my last few days here in Salisbury, MD, I started to reflect on where I have been, and where I am going. I feel that I have changed significantly while I have been here, and grown as a person. I know it has been two years of my life, and time can stamp my chronological changes to life. But, the things that are not measured with physical attributions are the more meaningful changes and these are the things that define who you are as a person and what you stand for.
I learned most importantly the value of education, and the power of empowerment while here at Salisbury. I believe that everyone is entitled to education, and education frees so many minds rather than fostering them. I believe that questions are more empowering than answers, as answers are temporary conclusions to more questions that can and need to be raised. It is with this notion that I believe that there is no conclusive truth in the world, as there are constant changes and diversity of views that make it not only improbable, but impossible to give an idea of truth. Many times, when I argue this point people would sarcastically, and skeptically bring up "well, isn't there truth in 2+2=4?" My answer is, "sure, but it is only YOUR truth." My questions are, "who came up with these numbers?" "why did we suddenly decide this number 2, represented that it was 2?" "at what point do we accept that these numbers were a universal truth?" "is it absolutely sure that mathematics is the most basic form of communication so that the world can agree that it is the absolute truth?" Now you aren't so sure 2+2=4 is an absolute truth do you....
The empowerment of questioning the notion of truth brings one thing to the forefront. It is the fact that nothing in this world is final, and the world is filled with possibilities and opportunities to make a difference and change. The work that everyone does is a process, not a result. Yes, some answers are important in life. But these answers are things. Cures to many diseases, the ability to give birth to a child, or raise a child. The opportunities that have been provided for people that have been disenfranchised from society. The end of racism, and sexism, and hetrosexism, and all of the "isms" in the world. The answers to freedom, and equality and peace. (of course that is making the assumption that these things are good in life.) But, these things are not things that make you as a person to thrive to live your life. Live your life. There's a slogan I have seen over and over and over. Maybe someone was onto something. The truth is, (yes, the irony) the universal truth doesn't exist. And we need to define it the way you want to define it. It's unwritten. And you need to write it yourself. The next page to life is always a blank page, and you have the power to draw or color to do it however you want to do it. Because the truth is what you make it to be, and defining it, or creating a universal truth will only trap you into a notion that there is a "right way" or a "wrong way" to live your life, and that becomes not only limiting, but disrespectful to yourself and to society.
Ok, a lot of thought and no meat there. What does this all mean? As I step into the next page of my life and move to Chicago, IL, I am charged to write this next chapter of my life. I can't change what has already happened, nor do I want to. But, everything is unwritten, and I want to write, sing, dance, paint and all of the other formats in which communication is possible, to express myself for my life. If you stand at your point of life, right now, and realize that there is no truth to anything, as long as you don't get scared, suddenly there are so many doors that open your possibilities become unlimited. Don't limit yourself to anything. Nothing is impossible. Impossible is nothing. (thank you Nike.)
Watch me.
- Robert F. Kennedy
So, this blog thing I have been doing has not been going so well. I haven't written much in a while, and I am disappointing my readership. It crosses my mind to write something, but many times I find myself contemplating what to write about, and in turn, can't write anything worthwhile. So, today, as I accept Steve's challenge to write something, here it goes.
We change, evolve, and most importantly we live. Every moment in life, we do all of these things. As I spend my last few days here in Salisbury, MD, I started to reflect on where I have been, and where I am going. I feel that I have changed significantly while I have been here, and grown as a person. I know it has been two years of my life, and time can stamp my chronological changes to life. But, the things that are not measured with physical attributions are the more meaningful changes and these are the things that define who you are as a person and what you stand for.
I learned most importantly the value of education, and the power of empowerment while here at Salisbury. I believe that everyone is entitled to education, and education frees so many minds rather than fostering them. I believe that questions are more empowering than answers, as answers are temporary conclusions to more questions that can and need to be raised. It is with this notion that I believe that there is no conclusive truth in the world, as there are constant changes and diversity of views that make it not only improbable, but impossible to give an idea of truth. Many times, when I argue this point people would sarcastically, and skeptically bring up "well, isn't there truth in 2+2=4?" My answer is, "sure, but it is only YOUR truth." My questions are, "who came up with these numbers?" "why did we suddenly decide this number 2, represented that it was 2?" "at what point do we accept that these numbers were a universal truth?" "is it absolutely sure that mathematics is the most basic form of communication so that the world can agree that it is the absolute truth?" Now you aren't so sure 2+2=4 is an absolute truth do you....
The empowerment of questioning the notion of truth brings one thing to the forefront. It is the fact that nothing in this world is final, and the world is filled with possibilities and opportunities to make a difference and change. The work that everyone does is a process, not a result. Yes, some answers are important in life. But these answers are things. Cures to many diseases, the ability to give birth to a child, or raise a child. The opportunities that have been provided for people that have been disenfranchised from society. The end of racism, and sexism, and hetrosexism, and all of the "isms" in the world. The answers to freedom, and equality and peace. (of course that is making the assumption that these things are good in life.) But, these things are not things that make you as a person to thrive to live your life. Live your life. There's a slogan I have seen over and over and over. Maybe someone was onto something. The truth is, (yes, the irony) the universal truth doesn't exist. And we need to define it the way you want to define it. It's unwritten. And you need to write it yourself. The next page to life is always a blank page, and you have the power to draw or color to do it however you want to do it. Because the truth is what you make it to be, and defining it, or creating a universal truth will only trap you into a notion that there is a "right way" or a "wrong way" to live your life, and that becomes not only limiting, but disrespectful to yourself and to society.
Ok, a lot of thought and no meat there. What does this all mean? As I step into the next page of my life and move to Chicago, IL, I am charged to write this next chapter of my life. I can't change what has already happened, nor do I want to. But, everything is unwritten, and I want to write, sing, dance, paint and all of the other formats in which communication is possible, to express myself for my life. If you stand at your point of life, right now, and realize that there is no truth to anything, as long as you don't get scared, suddenly there are so many doors that open your possibilities become unlimited. Don't limit yourself to anything. Nothing is impossible. Impossible is nothing. (thank you Nike.)
Watch me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)