As I round the bases on the third week of my second semester within these halls, I realize that I continue to learn interesting lessons. Some of these lessons have been like leaves, gently falling into my mind through a gentle breeze, delivering small realizations and tidbits of wisdom. Other lessons have been more like a kick to the gut, usually leaving me in bewilderment and shock - although both have been equally appreciated, if not equally delightful.
This week I've been thinking a lot about "modernity" and how this concept shapes our way of thinking and acting. The basic concept suggests that in this post-modern world, we have lost touch with our fellow human in exchange for those modern conveniences that we cling to. Indeed, as I traverse the hallowed grounds of the university, I find myself surrounded by automatons - eyes glued to their so-called smart phones and blindly stumbling around campus while their cranked-up iPods blast the latest - did anyone say zombie apocalypse?
Witnessing this sea of technologically savvy, anti-social miscreants, one would think twice before attempting to engage anyone in human interaction. One full semester of sitting alone in the university library or the student union building, paralyzed by my own self-doubt was enough alone time for me. However, getting over the hurdle and putting myself "out-there" - a dreaded process worthy of song and drink - was not as easy as those episodes of Full House had me believe. Thanks for nothing, John Stamos.
So I packed away my self-doubt, raised my head high and plunged into the depths. Well, needless to say that my first few forays into this unknown were less than successful. This strange process that I decided to engage in was far more complicated and intimidating than I had initially anticipated. Approaching and getting-to-know interesting people - particularly women - became so daunting that by last week, I was over it.
But this is supposed to be the year of big change, right? After many-an-hour of thinking it over, I came to the conclusion that I need to create the world I want to live in. If I find someone interesting, I'm going to get off my ass and do something about it - damn the consequences. I'm working to create a new life that's free from guilt, free from regret, and shed that insistent low self-esteem that tends to creep its ugly little head in. I'm done obsessing over what people think of me and I'm done with the tireless exercise of attempting to appear as if I know everything - I'm going to allow myself to look stupid every so often and embrace it when it comes along!
As the ever-wonderful, Bill Murray once shouted to his therapist, "I'm doin' the work! I'm baby steppin'! I'm not a slacker!"
With all this self-betterment I'm working on, I may not actually have to wait for that big sale at my local insane asylum.
Cocktail of the Week
Classic Gin and Tonic.
Fill a chilled, 12 oz. glass with ice.
Pour 2 oz. of Bombay gin.
Top it off with tonic water.
A wedge of lemon & lime (the true secret to libation perfection).
Best enjoyed to the musical perfection of Chet Baker.
Happy Tuesday!
I've noticed with my students (and friends) that the social media we're nearly always hooked in to leads to "social skimming", as I like to call it. Skimming the content and tossing back a brief reply, without truly listening and absorbing. Volume can be more, but volume can also be less.
ReplyDeleteInserting myself back in the university environment has been quite the culture shock. It seems that the social networking you spoke of creates this anti-social mindset with university students of a certain generation (now I feel old). Why would these "kids" need to make friends when they have 1,000+ friends on Facebook, Twitter etc..? It's quite discombobulating.
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