Monday, September 20, 2010

It's Just Too Much

Blogger's Note: LOOK AT ME, I POSTED AGAIN! WHOPPEEEEEEEE!

It seems like everywhere I turn, with every suggestion I make, I find calm and peaceful statements of “That’s too [adjective]” or “Let’s just sit and play video games/sit at a café/sit and watch a movie…” Sit        Sit        Sit. It’s calmly and peacefully driving me insane.


Everyone wants to be passive. They use just and too as a way to avoid exertion or pushing the boundaries of what is most readily available and comfortable. It’s easier to sit in the comfort of your home or drive to a nice café then to bike or hike, especially in our current culture of immediate comfort; you do not need to go anywhere or do much to avoid boredom because basic distractions are a click or a short drive away. So, justs become more popular and toos less so.

Thing is, you know that just playing video games/watching a movie/sitting on the grass will be satisfying. Justs are nice, enjoyable, and relaxing. They are the safe option, the one that will never disappoint and that is…nice.

Often, though, there is no real excitement in a just, only the addiction of something you know will never fully disappoint. You know there’s always some enjoyment in the familiar so why bother with the unfamiliar? Why take the risk of the unknown, no matter how slight that risk is?

Sometimes, though, these slight enjoyments can become banal. It can be more fun to abandon what's simply comfortable to run and jump and catch balls and goof off playing some sport and do stupid shit and take risks. You can come up with any number of adjectives for these: too dangerous, too stupid, or too immature perhaps. But what about fun, exhilarating, or ultimately harmless? Sure, cliff diving or a spontaneous drive to a city might sound dangerous or generally unlikeable in some vague, undefined way but how many people do you know who do things that are too extreme/impulsive/whatever have been hurt or really didn’t enjoy themselves? It’s all a matter of perspective and maybe if you tried some toos, your’s would change.

Toos are not inherently superior to justs but the two can work in tandem to create a more enjoyable life through more fun and rewarding experiences. One of the best feelings is pushing yourself to a limit and realizing you are strong enough to handle it. A close second is sitting down afterward and relaxing. It feels great, for example, to take a tough route up a mountain and then to sit down with a sandwich and drink on top of that mountain but neither would be the same without the other. The hike wouldn't be as rewarding without the promise of the sandwich and the drink wouldn't be as refreshing without the memory of the trek. You need just enough toos but not too many justs.

9 comments:

  1. You're just too smug, though I do agree with you. What would life be without a little adventure? But adventure isn't just physical, as you posit. To some people adventure is mental, and that trip up the mountain may be their way to chill. To each his own. Just my opinion.

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  2. The point, I think, is to have that experience, adventure, whatever, whether it is mental or physical. Mental adventure or exploration could be listening to someone explain a point of view that may be anthema to you, even repulsive. The point, again, is not to shut your mind but open those doors. You don't have to agree with the other, you don't have to enjoy the physical activity itself, but enjoy the fact that you tried, you expderimented, you stretched your mind or body a bit.
    Likewise, too often when we say "I can't," we really mean "I can't be bothered," or "I don't want to." All easy to say, I know, and as the previous commenter said, perhaps smug, but nonetheless it makes life so much more interesting if you explore.
    RJ

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  3. I did not mean to imply physical activity is the only way to be adventurous. I was really referring to anything a bit outside one's comfort zone. It could really be as simple as going to a pool hall when you don't usually play pool or taking a physics class if you think you're not a science person.

    I'm curious, though, what it is about this post or my blog that you think is smug. I'd like feedback, especially since this is my first attempt at writing for something other than school.

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  4. If you are responding to my post, I did not mean to imply physical activity is the only way to be adventurous. Quite the opposite, being adventurous mentally is equally important as well as exciting.
    As for smug, you will have to refer to the first post and its author. My guess is that s/he may be referring to how easy it is to pontificate or judge (?). I would like to hear more on this from the first writer, also.

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  5. A synonym for "smug" is "superior," and Mr. Brynley Shoe has perched himself squarely in that position, passing judgement on those who don't go out on a limb. It appears to me that the blogger has not attempted to explore the world from the perspective of those who live a "passive" life. Their existence may be different than than the blogger's, but it should not be condemned, which is how I read the post, Ms. rjones245.

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  6. Understood, but what about giving us your perspective or description of the "passive" life? It would be interesting to hear your take on it. I do agree that since we are all individuals, our likes and dislikes, our tastes, our passions, our satisfactions are all different and we should not judge others because theirs are not ours. I think, perhaps, what the blogger, Brynley Shoe, was referring to was those who stay passive not necessarily because they find this preferable, but because it is easy and whilst they might want something other than what they have, they can't be bothered to go after it. That is a different thing altogether, Ms/Mr Anonymous!
    RJ

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  7. When I think of someone living a passive life, I think of someone who just want to smell the roses, someone at peace with one's self. That person's passion might be going out in the garden and, well, smelling the roses. That person might want to sit down and read a book, or prepare a nice dinner or...And these are adventurous activities for those people. I agree with you that BrynShoe is making an observation about our lazy society, but I think he's misreading some people and painting too broad a brush.

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  8. I think I now understand, or am beginning to, what you mean. Certainly, I agree, life does not have to be fast-paced in order to be satisfying or even adventurous. In fact, some of everything can be ideal. The balance we so often hear about and try to achieve. Yes, exciting to me often means to try something new, something outside of my common, everyday experience and certainly I have always been fascinated by adventure and derring-do! However, I also love the slower-paced enjoyments - a good read, being in a garden, even just wandering through a garden or looking at the flowers others have grown and nurtured.
    I really do think the point was directed more at the temptation to stay in a rut because it is just easier than trying to climb out or stretch ourselves.
    RJ

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  9. Agreed. Well said. Our way of life does inhibit some people from experiencing the stimulation needed to live a healthy, balanced life. And that's sad.

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