If there’s one thing I’ve learned about how to deal with humans (other than their flesh is better pan-fried than baked), it’s that they can’t be trusted or relied on and are generally bad investments and disappointing creatures who possess wonderful gifts they’re too stupid, selfish and small minded to fully realize and utilize as they settle for a mediocre existence of pure survival completely oblivious to the adventure of Life happening all around them. Other than that, they’re mostly okay, I guess.
and then what?…
I blame Jim Henson for brainwashing me at an early age that believing in someone else who deserves it was the best thing you could do for another human. As an adult, it’s never paid off for me. I don’t have a positive investment of my time, money and energy quite yet in any of my attempts to help someone be the best Them they can be in whatever way I can.
When Henson died, it only solidified this totally-wrong conception about life.
This medley From Jim Hensons funeral just does too much of a number on the heart chords to not take as inspirational “pay it forward” resolve (that will ultimately disappoint you)…
I always had this concept of everyone who is struggling unjustly was just in need of someone who can help them but the reality is that most people are doing exactly the amount of helping-themselves that can be done for them and your addition is not going to make much of a difference. Most. Not all. And that’s what sucks. Because knowing that there statistically HAVE to be people struggling with only a need for a Sponsor in their corner, it is difficult to NOT engage in those endeavors you know will probably be fruitless, but have to go through anyway because what if they’re not? How can you deny someone a chance that costs you so little to give? The trick is to continue that generosity and just be careful not to go bankrupt that way, I guess. Which is stupid. Just like people.
Jesus had it right with that whole “turn the other cheek”, bullshit, unfortunately. It’s the only moral way to live in interaction with others whom you detect a glimmer of unrealized potential in. Like the Bishop in Les Miserable, this attitude will get you clocked over the head with a candle-stick and your stuff stolen in the night as a return for showing generosity to a broken person. But what do you do then? Continue to brake them? Respond in ways that maintain their status? Or at least attempt a repair and empower them to do something where it is more clear of a moral choice (instead of a survival choice)?
From the 1997 movie:
From the stage musical (you may recognize Val John in this clip as the Bishop in the 2013 movie) + his redemption song. How come true life never actually works out this way? If not the “now i’m going to make the moral choice from now on” then at LEAST the singing. Come on, people…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYa4r2vyVT8
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