Real Life Is More Than A Great Childhood
Posted: Wednesday, September 28, 2011
by Octavia Hansen
Octavia Hansen
Having a well-adjusted childhood does NOT prepare one for real life. I don't need therapy so I spend a lot of time at the zoo waiting for my friends to get out of theirs (I'm on first name basis with all the animals, helps brush up my Latin). There is nothing and no one to blame for my problems (damn! I hate being a responsible adult!).
My parents were happily married. This is an incredible burden for me to carry into any relationship. If I married today, we would not make the fifty-year mark. I grew up with a big brother and younger sister so I learned the value of sharing, taking turns of responsibility for others. And I have passed the time mark where I have lived away from the family longer than I was growing up. This means any problems I did have I have out grown and acquired new problems outside of the family. Darn, yet another adult idea.
All this being said, I agree with F. Scott Fitzgerald when he coined the phrase, 'tyranny of the weak.' I have kept myself unburdened, free, shallow if you like, but it was an actual decision. Much as I love to socialize, I prefer it in a group. Psychologically it's safer. One-on-one encounters, people tend to want to tell you things they should not share. This is especially dangerous with co-workers and spouses of my friends, or friends of spouses, or just any one who thinks I'm sympathetic. I am to a point . . . actually, I think I'm just naturally nosy and they mistake that for caring. I was never involved with soap operas, I don't want to waste my thoughts on characters and plots that don't exist. My neighbor's garage sale is far more interesting than anything on television will ever be. Their life is laid out on clothes racks, tables and blankets and they get very chatty about their acquisitions and sales. Much like Sherlock Holmes, you can read someone whole life through their possessions . . . hmm, used to bicycle, put on a few pounds, kids grew up, no longer painting.
There is some psychological theory that says a lower attitude will dominate a higher one. Meaning an 'up' person in a room will come 'down' to meet the low person. Couples do this a lot. I try to have at least two people around because of this, more if possible. Maybe if I become the lowest person in the room, I'll get the attention I deserve. I've known too many victims, and I know it's not their fault, but I can't carry people. I'm not emotionally equipped for this. Don't wanna be.
Okay, so that was a little mean but necessary. I'll make up some baggage just so I can throw it overboard and become a better person.
Can you pass me that straight-jacket? It's a little chilly in here . . .
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)I love it! Like your sense of humor!
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