People of the world, spice up your life
Sarah Zeeck
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Opinion
The other day I did an experiment - I separated the shirts in my closet by color. That may sound a little obsessive-compulsive, but it made me realize something about myself and everyone else. I discovered most of my shirts are one or two colors and only a very miniscule portion is dedicated to other pigments. That wasn't the only peculiarity I noticed. Upon broader investigation, I realized I usually wear my hair the same way, keep the same rigid schedule from week to week and in general don't stray from the norm of my life.
Everyone, whether they're willing to admit it or not, does this. This exemplifies the everyday, monotonous patterns we stamp our lives with. Examine yourself for a moment - do you do anything to shake up your life a bit?
Though it seems to be the way life is, there is a reason behind this predictable behavior. We are afraid of stepping over the line, thinking outside the box and (ironically) dozens of other clichés. We are insecure and have to rely on everyday monotony as a crutch to get us through life.
Don't think this applies only to choices in wardrobe or personal appearance. People make life choices - occupational, marital and even educational - because they know those options are safe. They know those options work; we always seek the easy path. Take over the family business. Marry the person you've dated since 8th grade. Major in a field that will ensure you a job with a high wage. Plain and simple, we're afraid of failure.
Several events in history, especially recently, have shown us life is extraordinarily short. Witnessing death, especially when the victims are so young, is very subduing. Such incidences illustrate it's impossible to know for certain when your time to pass will be.
As sad as it is, events like Sept. 11 and the shootings at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University do happen and will continue to repeat, as history tends to do. Life is far too short to let insecurity get in the way of living fully. Don't let the fear of making a wrong decision get in the way of your life.
Wear two different socks. Wear high heels when you're 6 feet tall. Talk to someone random for no particular reason. Eat foods strange to you. Do something completely out of character - skydive, sing karaoke or take yoga. Do everything, experience it all and forget nothing. Make the most of your life at the moment, because you never know when it will all be taken from you.
Insecurity is something we all suffer from at some point, and it's something none of us truly have time for. If we don't push some limits, we'll find ourselves regretting having never lived. Taking chances may not be what life is all about, but it's what keeps life interesting, memorable and worth living.
Don't let your wardrobe of life become monochromatic. Enrich your life with a rainbow of experiences. You'll regret it if you don't.
Everyone, whether they're willing to admit it or not, does this. This exemplifies the everyday, monotonous patterns we stamp our lives with. Examine yourself for a moment - do you do anything to shake up your life a bit?
Though it seems to be the way life is, there is a reason behind this predictable behavior. We are afraid of stepping over the line, thinking outside the box and (ironically) dozens of other clichés. We are insecure and have to rely on everyday monotony as a crutch to get us through life.
Don't think this applies only to choices in wardrobe or personal appearance. People make life choices - occupational, marital and even educational - because they know those options are safe. They know those options work; we always seek the easy path. Take over the family business. Marry the person you've dated since 8th grade. Major in a field that will ensure you a job with a high wage. Plain and simple, we're afraid of failure.
Several events in history, especially recently, have shown us life is extraordinarily short. Witnessing death, especially when the victims are so young, is very subduing. Such incidences illustrate it's impossible to know for certain when your time to pass will be.
As sad as it is, events like Sept. 11 and the shootings at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University do happen and will continue to repeat, as history tends to do. Life is far too short to let insecurity get in the way of living fully. Don't let the fear of making a wrong decision get in the way of your life.
Wear two different socks. Wear high heels when you're 6 feet tall. Talk to someone random for no particular reason. Eat foods strange to you. Do something completely out of character - skydive, sing karaoke or take yoga. Do everything, experience it all and forget nothing. Make the most of your life at the moment, because you never know when it will all be taken from you.
Insecurity is something we all suffer from at some point, and it's something none of us truly have time for. If we don't push some limits, we'll find ourselves regretting having never lived. Taking chances may not be what life is all about, but it's what keeps life interesting, memorable and worth living.
Don't let your wardrobe of life become monochromatic. Enrich your life with a rainbow of experiences. You'll regret it if you don't.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
md-barber
Matt
posted 2/28/08 @ 9:17 PM CST
This is a great message. Good job. There was a great article in the NY Times yesterday semi-related to this idea. Check it out.
http://www.nytimes. (Continued…)
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