The ordinary person is forced
to learn the conventions of society,
and thus learns to identify himself with them.
He moves within them like a train on its rails.
But a liberated person is more like an automobile;
he can, if he wants, stay on a certain track
- but he can also move away from it.
(Alan Watts)
Taking yourself too seriously
Don't take yourself too seriously.
What does this expression mean?
It refers to self-consciousness.
What is 'yourself' anyway?
Is it your opinions, your memories, your self-image?
Given the incredible complexity
of thoughts, memories, stimuli and constant change in your life - can
you reasonably have a fixed image of who you are, anyway?
Why be serious about it? Will being serious actually change
anything?
Feeling silly
If you are worried about how you look, what others will think
of you and so on - ask yourself why...
Does it matter so much what others think of you?
Can you possibly hope to please everyone all of the time?
And would you even want to?
The danger with life is that we feel pressured to satisfy other people's
expectations of us.
Why bother? Be yourself. It is easier and it is natural.
As people grow older they forget the sheer joy of being silly and having fun.
Page created 14 August 2000