If You Were Here, I Could Deceive You.
And If You Were Here, You Would Believe.
One thing I've been thinking a lot about lately is the tension between naïve and cynical.
If I had a choice, which I do, which would I rather be--I mean as a general attitude which dictates my every move?
It's clear to me that I don't want to be either. What I really want to be is hopeful, both in my most private soul and in my most public deeds.
But in hope, there's more room for naïveté than there is room for cynicism. So then I get taken off guard sometimes.
So, how do I find a balance, staying honest, and staying alert, without becoming disillusioned either?
Think about that.
And get back to me.
15 comments:
Thanks Eliza, for reuniting an old cynic like me with Altered Images--one of my favorite bands whom I had forgotten about since my 16 Candles days, leaving me hopeful that I might re-discover much more that I forgot to remember to love.
perhaps you can be hopeful and lower your cynicism to caution.
btw, tell me your thoughts on The Feminine Mystique. I am embarrassed to say that I first decided to read it after seeing 10 Things I Hate About You (which also influenced me to read The Bell Jar).
Kacy, I hope I also reunited you with the memory of Jake Ryan waiting by his sporty car outside of the church. You should never forget to love that.
Marcy, I like that.
Also...I like FM so far. I haven't actually picked it up in a few weeks, but it is still on my nightstand and I have read the first couple of chapters a couple of times.
On a partially related note, I am glad that I finally found out that Betty Friedan's name is pronounced Fre-DAN, not FREE-dan, which sounds too much like Fritos to me.
first of all - nice icon - very apropos since eliza doolittle encountered this same battle.
love betty frieDAN.
LOVE 16 candles - and all things 80's for that matter - except big bangs.
anyway - i would rather be naive - because most cynics are rather grumpy - i think it's a part of and a prerequisite for being cynical.
i think you should be naive, but go in with your eyes wide open.
and didn't thompson twins sing that song?
Ah.
So...how do I do that? Clearly I'm naive enough to think there's an answer.
I was also under the impression that the Thompson Twins were responsible for "If You Were Here." However, my youthful inexperience (I was but a child in the 80s) led me to believe that maybe I was wrong.
You'll love the 80s claw again, Bonny, mark my words.
I was so excited to see a post with 8 comments - but then realized that once again I was culturally in the dark! I was tending small children for most of the 80s - and 90's for that matter.
However, having been a cynic in many ways, I will tell you that being an eyes-wide-open naive person is a better way to be - at least it seems less cynical!
You're proving my point. How can you be naive (maybe innocent is a better word?) and also have your eyes wide open? Well, just don't be naive, right? But then how do you keep your eyes open without becoming bitter from some of the things that you see?
a loving heart
and remembering the big picture.
i think a lot of times people are cynical because they feel a personal injustice, or like their efforts don't matter. (at least that's when i get cynical).
for example, on the bike path at the beach in santa monica, there are SO many idiots walking the wrong way, walking where bikes are supposed to be, etc, etc. so i'm riding with bruce and the kids yelling, "on your left", or "watch out". and bruce says, bonny, chill, and i say but they aren't following the rules and they are messing it up for everyone, etc. bruce points out that it's not my job to punish them. and he's right. it really is none of my business, unless i happen to run over them, but i won't. so i need to let them be happy. they are having fun at the beach. they're probably from ohio and are excited to see a movie star.
so that probably doesn't have anything to do with cynicism, but i think it does, or at least it leads to cynicism.
but i think if you remember the big picture, it helps to alleviate that. it doesn't really matter if they are on the bike path incorrectly, but it does matter how i react.
ok the longest comment ever - sorry.
But very to the point!
And less importantly, Thompson Twins does sing that song--which led me to looking at the soundtrack which includes Altered Images (just to clarify).
Cynics aren't very fun to be around, and sometimes are downright embarrassing to be around. Perhaps they don't care, even if they have noticed. But I think that being a little on the naive side is a better choice.
Post a Comment