Overcoming Pessimism

Woke up this morning a little cranky because I didn’t sleep well. When that happens, I can hear myself complain and invite in pessimism. But it was such a beautiful morning, and the sun had now risen over the horizon, and since I was a little cold, I just sat down and let the sun warm me up. I looked over to the neighboring field and decided to take a walk to warm up more quickly. As I started to walk, I saw how wonderfully absurd my little field was — filled with all the gizmos and gadgets we used to play games. I’ve learned that playing games is a brilliant way to learn whether it’s math, writing or just learning about yourself. Learning through playing ball? With that thought, I realized how absurd life can be, or how I’ve made, it so because that’s what I really enjoy. Being standard issue just doesn’t interest me. Sure, we need it to have some set of agreements in order for society to function. But when societal rules move past which side of the road to travel or what green, yellow, and red mean, we should be aware. The latest fashion is just another societal attempt to standardize our image. That’s the catch. It’s a convenient hook to think we now belong. It’s a false pass to thinking we’re accepted. Who we are, who we truly are, can never be defined by standard. We have to move into the “absurd” areas in order to find that space where everything has the possibility of being different — including ourselves. So when I see the field filled with flags, tires, 55 gallon drums, long wooden sticks, cones, and balls of multiple sizes — it makes me smile. I see the possibilities of the day that my pessimism once clouded. I’m back in touch with who I am.