What if Irony is Judging Others for Lacking Empathy?
When we feel
like we don’t
matter
we can naturally desire
control,
manipulation,
and even
violence.
To call us
insecure
in that moment,
while not
incorrect,
omits the valid reason
for our insecurity,
thereby making us seem
crazy,
weak,
or inept,
exacerbating the feeling
of not mattering,
thereby perpetuating
a vicious
cycle.
The truth
is not always easy
to articulate.
When perspectives
are easier to articulate
than the truth,
we may be tempted
to articulate our perspective
as the truth.
But perspectives in isolation
while not
untrue
can never be
the truth.
Some people
judge the younger generation
as “snowflakes.”
What I see
is a generation
with higher standards.
Higher standards
of emotional literacy
and emotional intelligence.
The kind of standards that,
if understood accurately
and implemented effectively,
may finally stop
the vicious cycle
of generational
trauma.
If resentment says
“I will have
the last laugh.”
Regret may say
“I wish I could have
laughed about it
then.”
Making art
can begin with nothing more
than a thought.
One that says
“Hm…
There is something
here,”
A thought that inspires
a sense
of intrigue.
Progress is made
when intrigue inspires
yet another thought.
One that says
“I wonder
what that something
is?”
A thought that inspires
a sense
of wonder.
…
But then
a fork in the road
appears.
One that tests
our courage
and humility.
Humility
because we have to admit
we don’t know
what that something
is
and value
the process of coming
to know it.
Courage
because it will cost us
time,
energy,
among other things
to pursue this journey
of following through
with the sense
of wonder.
This is the same
whether your art
is writing,
making sculpture,
or starting
a business.
When we judge ourselves
as selfish,
it is often nothing more
than a symptom
of our fear
of being judged by others
as selfish.
Employees
are often hired
to solve
a problem.
But employees often think
they’re hired
to do
a job.
If the job done
doesn’t solve the problem
that inspired the hire
employees can be perceived
as passive
even if they’re proactive
in doing their job.
If the problem to be solved
isn’t clear
employers can be perceived
as unappreciative
and disrespectful
even if they care
about their employees.
Every time
we fail to say “No,”
to something
or someone
that crosses our boundaries,
we may unintentionally
fuel
the perpetuation of
a vicious
cycle.
Plans
rarely go
as planned.
In fact,
they often fall
apart.
Perhaps this
is why Hannibal often said
“I love it,
when a plan
comes
together.”
As if to denote
that a plan
has to fall apart
first
before it can come together
to create
a new plan
that actually goes
as planned.
p.s: Much gratitude goes out to Pinky Parsons for inspiring this post.
We are only
“lost”
in relation to
where we want
to go.
If we don’t know
where we want
to go,
we may instead be
faced with an opportunity
for exploration
and play.
Unless,
of course,
we think we know
where we want
to go,
because we conflate
where we want
to go
with where we think
we should want
to go.
In which case,
we may still feel
“lost.”
