Tag: behavior

It is interesting to note how rare stories of redemption are in practice, yet how common they are in thought. That is to say, the mind inclined toward dreaming tends to imagine such an arc for its life, without reflecting on whether it would be desirable or, rather, whether it has any practical benefit. Because a dream, even if it does not come true, still exerts an influence. A whole life spent waiting for this great moment! And, at the same time, a whole life lost in dreaming… There are better plots; more modest ones. But such ambiguity highlights the complexity of human psychology. Visualization is necessary; it guides the creative act. But one must ground it and ground oneself while living, not allowing oneself to get lost in thin air. What remains, then, is everyday reality, always less grand than one would like, but in which one can write a real story.

Thankful should be those who enjoy positive influences which, when they least expect or desire them, draw them in, brighten their days, and bring them an unexpected sense of well-being. On the other hand, those who must deal with opposing influences can never be too careful. Giving in to them often means allowing oneself to be dragged toward an abyss where, in a moment of losing control, one might make a mistake. One is never as far from anguish as one imagines… And, after all, when one knows the true nature of things, heavy is the burden of realizing that the despair one experiences is, in truth, the result less of influences than of decisions.

In truth, the recommendation to be true to oneself, to chart one’s own course in life, to make a deliberate plan a reality through conscious choices, applies only to a specific type of personality—one with a rather uncommon predisposition. It seems crazy to point this out; after all, who does not want to live the life he has chosen? However, that is the way it is: there is another, more common type of person who does not want this; what he longs for is simply to live a life planned by others, or rather, by consensus—and satisfaction, for this type, lies in enjoying acceptance. There is nothing to lament or criticize. For both, there is a formula that leads to genuine satisfaction—and, therefore, the best recommendation will always be the one that best suits individual needs.

A decade is usually enough to transform a beginner into an expert. But what is more striking than the knowledge acquired in a discipline or profession is the obvious change that study tends to bring about in one’s surroundings. So much changes! Ten years later, the beginner has become a different person; physically, he is someone else, and it is sometimes difficult to connect the new expert with the person he once was. Someone who did not know him will no longer find those traits that led to his current state. And someone who knew him before, even if they try, even if they force it, even if they refuse to accept the change, will likely fail to strike old chords, and will end up realizing that they—thank God!—will never vibrate again.