Limits On Happiness

Who is to dictate your happiness other than yourself? Should the possibility of hurting another person stop you from pursuing your own happiness? (Disclaimer: I am referring to emotional pain not physical pain.) If you have a good job and you are unhappy should you stay at that job? Or should you quit and be an artist cause that’s what you have always wanted to do and it’s what makes you happy…same scenario but add a significant other who’s gotten used to living a certain way. I don’t think I need to go into multiple examples for you all to get the idea. Point, what, if any, are the limits to a person’s happiness? Is it determined by the individual or by morals and stipulations based on societal views? Should a person give up their own happiness for another? And again, should that choice be made by the individual themselves? And more so, should the choice be made, is it really our own or have we been so influenced by our surroundings that we talk ourselves into what we think is right by those standards. I like to think my parents influenced me to make responsible choices but to make choices that would bring me happiness. Life to me is not about pleasing the wishes of others but living life to the fullest because as cliché as it is, tomorrow really is not promised to anyone. Life should be lived and not categorized into race, age, sexuality, or anything else. If it makes you happy and brings fulfillment to your life why let negative stigmas get in the way? Are you okay with today if tomorrow is the end? You should be.

Elementary My Dear Watson!

Though I am still quite young in the eyes of many I find it disconcerting that my generation is so lacking in the proper skills of communication and conflict resolution. Now I myself am far from being the model citizen in this regard so it's saying a lot that I am finding a discrepancy here. More and more I am finding myself faced with "school yard drama", adult situations being handled with elementary tactics. I was not aware that at my age (and thus the age of my peers) the silent treatment was still an option when faced with infuriating of uncomfortable situations. Am I wrong in assuming that as adults, issues should be faced and resolved not ignored? It is thoroughly annoying when I hit a brick wall when trying to confront a serious situation. If you're not ready to face your problems or the problems others have with you at least be adult enough to admit you aren't ready. Not that hard, I promise. And in contrast, what is the deal with feeling the need to lie and act out to get attention? If someone is truly a friend or significant other I guarantee you do not need to exaggerate in any way, shape, or form to keep their attention. We are not 3 year olds, we have words therefore we need to use them and use them properly. We also need to be responsible for our actions. It is not the government keeping you from getting a job, nor is it "daddy issues" causing you to sleep around (oof! not going there)! Also, I am very much aware that people have varying opinions and views (as you should be at this point in your life). All people don't hold the same morals, doctrines, or understanding of satisfactory hygiene but it was my belief that we were past the age of being catty about it. There is no need to humiliate another person to make yourself look or feel better. If it's such an indiscretion please handle the situation like the adult you are suppose to be. Pull the person to the side and be respectful with your verbiage...move on. Stop making it a big deal and stop making it public information. I swear that adages of "you'll understand when you're older." are simply a farce to keep young minds at bay, and really getting older just means dealing with the same ridiculous immature mindset in bigger bodies. Annoyed!

Context vs. Content

Listening to the radio this morning I heard a program talking about a school that does not teach content but context in regards to standardized testing. Now maybe I didn’t quite understand what they were saying but to my understanding they do not teach information on the test but rather how testing in general is structured…does that make sense? And is that even helpful? I am not a huge fan of standardized testing but I do see some of the benefits of it, (perhaps a later post?) but from what I have gathered from the program I don’t imagine the test results would be very good.  How can one succeed by simply knowing the context but not the content of a test.  This particular school was a secondary school and I am pretty sure at that age one should know how to successfully complete any form of test. Even if it’s a test style they have never come across, with proper instructions they should manage. I don’t know, so weird to me.