Double or Triple Life

Tonight's post is going to be on the tangent of society and the fear of people's opinions. Hope you enjoy!

Have you ever felt like you have been leading a double, or at times triple, life? You are one way with these people, this way with those people, and that way with these people. Or, you are always the first person to offer help, always smiling even when you are...let's say, extremely irritated with the world, always helping even when it makes you late, behind, or in a sticky situation. However, on the inside you are griping and groaning, wondering why this person can't do anything on their own, why any of this matters, etc. What I'm trying to say is, why is it so hard to match the inside with the outside? Are we afraid of being scorned for suddenly showing what we truly feel? Is it the fact that we are trying so hard to live up to the expectations of friends, family, co-workers, etc., that we sacrifice ourselves in the process? Why do we let ourselves be a mannequin of happiness? We aren't made of foam or plastic. We are humans! We are meant to feel anger, jealousy, love, happiness, sadness, etc. So, once again, why do we cover up our true feelings? This can be summed up in one phrase: fear of people's opinions. We are afraid to show love because of the possibility that we will be denied. We are afraid to show jealousy because we do not want to be thought of as a hateful person. We are afraid to show anger because we do not want those closest to us be afraid of us. We are afraid to show sadness because we do not want to be thought of as weak. Everything is covered, besides happiness, due to fear of other people. Why should we let the opinions of others stop us from being human? Are we suddenly animals, with only instinct to guide us? No! Now, I am not saying that every time you feel angry you should go up to the person that you are angry with and just start beating him up. Rather, I am saying that you should be able to say to that person "I am quite mad with you. I am mad because of (insert reason(s) here)." You should be able to do this without fear of having the other person walk away. Society has made us believe that we must conform to what the majority wants. This, my friends, is not what was ever planned when the American society was born. Freedom to express oneself is what America was all about. Now, America is about keeping everything in perfect order...everything the same. Should we really continue like this or should we break away from the norm?

Laterz!

Renwen