Independently dependent
January 12, 2015
Suppose we don’t need other people to make us fully happy in our own lives. What kind of world would we live in? Would we all be as happy as we were before? Would we get along with one another? Join hands and sing kumbaya?
No. The truth is we couldn’t last a day without depending on someone for something. Anything.
Humans crave attention. We want someone to love us. Someone to be thinking of us. Someone to go out of their way to make us happy, because the reality of it all is we can’t handle this crazy game of life by ourselves. We need human interaction in our lives. Whether that is with family, friends, coworkers, teachers, or even our peers.
Now what I’m trying to say is that it is okay to have people in your life that make you happy. Just be aware of that person and their intentions of staying in your life. What happens when they decide to leave? You’re left with yourself. You’re left with all of your own thoughts. You’re left with what ifs. You’re left with the emptiness they just brought upon you.
Every so often you have to get yourself up and dust yourself off. Share your thoughts with someone, everyone perhaps! Stop thinking about those what ifs because they are over. You’re never going to get over something if you keep thinking about what you should have changed when it is too late. And lastly, fill that empty hole with happiness you have brought yourself.
Maybe it’s from high hope and even higher expectations but our generation is depending too much on others. We lack the competitive edge to get up and do something ourselves. We expect things to be handed to use, one of those things being our happiness.
Why depend on someone else when his or her significance in your life is questionable?
The quote, “I’m on a roller coaster that only goes up,” has often been said in my life. I disagree with it. My roller coaster doesn’t just go up. It has many loops and downfalls. Sometimes my roller coaster is bumpy. Sometimes it can be a terrifying fall. Sometimes you just want to scream out. Sometimes all you can do is close your eyes and hope its over soon. But other times it can be the easiest ride of your life; just a minor hill. It’s up to you to decide who will be beside you during this ride. They may make it a little more bearable.
Be aware of who’s in your life and who intends on staying in your life. That individual can make the ride worthwhile.
Joseph Toubes • Jan 12, 2015 at 12:46 PM
Early into my teaching career, I decided to leave my demons outside the school. They have learned to hop off my shoulders and wait outside the door until I come back and retrieve them.
I have always felt that no matter how miserable my day is going, I am not bringing them into the school building with me. That is one place, I am happy. I have a smile on my face, wear a silly tie, try to look on the bright side of things.
I will not make my problems your problems (unless you are my problem at the moment.) I have no problem saying “good morning” to someone I don’t know. I also ask them how they are doing and really mean it. I might be the only one in the day that has asked that of them and then taken the time to listen. Listening and meaning it is really important.
At the end of the day, I go outside , I spy my demons, they are bouncing around the parking lot, I try to sneak into my car and speed away, but they are too observant and hop right back on my shoulders. We have a brief conversation, I ask “So how was your day? did you make someone happy or sad? Shall we go home and have a snack and a talk?” They don’t answer, they can’t they have no power over me, they just are along for the ride.
Good writing, keep it up.