Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Comfortably Numb

“Our sanity depends essentially on a narrowness of vision – the ability to select the elements vital to survival, while ignoring the great truths.”
DAMAGE, Josephine Hart


There is more to the above passage but let’s start there.

What are you narrowly visioning today? What are your elements vital to survival?

For me I am concentrating on feeding the kids - the fish - the frog - the husband, celebrating a loved one’s birthday, enjoying the fact I can wear a favorite sweater of mine because it is a bit chilly and rainy today. That is today’s existence on the surface. Much more lurks beneath (however I am not going to expose all my inner thoughts on my first blog – that would be too much like 3rd base on the first date).

What are WE ignoring?
Now we are getting somewhere.
What are WE going to spend OUR day without giving a single thought to?

For example: are you going to read . . .

Myanmar cyclone death toll exceeds 22,000
http://edition.cnn.com/

or like most people in North America (including me) would you rather read about . . .

Britney Spears & Kevin Federline Arrive in Court
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20198029,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines

Life is easier when you let yourself numb out a bit. In April 30th’s Calgary Herald I read: “Thousands of children are being ‘sold like cabbages’ to China’s booming factories as virtual slave labor.” Some of these kids were under 10 and were inspected by having their arms and stomachs patted. I kept this story on my fridge because I have a mushy spot in my heart for mistreated children but am I doing anything about it. Nope.

So, I will spend my day . . .

1) feeding my family better than the Chinese factory children have ever been fed
2) wishing my house was bigger while up to a million people are homeless due to the cyclone
3) reading People.com rather than thinking about the garbage going on in the world.

I have become comfortably numb.

“Hello.
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?
Come on, now.
I hear you’re feeling down.
Well I can ease your pain,Get you on your feet again.
Relax.
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts:Can you show me where it hurts?"
Pink Floyd



Additional Reading – Anything by J.D. Salinger but especially NINE STORIES. His fictional and highly intellectual GLASS family is unable to become numb to the world around them and this end in tragedy for some. If you have time to read a short story today choose A PERFECT DAY FOR BANNANA FISH or better yet TEDDY – not because they tie in to my blog but because if you have not read them you are missing out.

6 comments:

Alex said...

Wow Miss.. great post! you will certainly be raising the bar here.
I often think of these things, and yet limit myself to empathetic thoughts. Why do we limit ourselves so strictly? Why don't we do more?
If there is any intelligent life out there watching us, they must be very disappointed.

Tan said...

This is going to get tricky...I'm known is these blog parts as Alex's number one reader, now I'm committed to reading DC's blog and now Missy! Wow - the laundry is going to suffer in this house with this much homework :)
But that being said, brava Missy.
I'm sure I'll have much to say in your comments section.

Jules said...

Hey Miss, the artwork is great!

Interesting post as well.
I think taking care of yourself and your family is of monumental importance, and I don't believe you give credit where credit is due. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Why do we pay so little attention to the suffering and needs that are here in our own communities and greater Calgary? Shouldn't we focus on the needs here first, where we can be of enormous aid? Is it not "cool" enough?

Mattie said...

Tanya,

it is good to know how I rate... No no dont appoligise I would rather know how someone feels rather that it be hidden...

Welcome Missy!

Jules said...

aha - I found your picture...the eyeball is placed perfectly! ;)

Dan said...

Great, great blog. I can't even say why but I feel very smart just reading it. Mattie jolts me like a double "shot in the dark" from Starbuck's, Alex opens my eyes to this strange quirky world and then gives me a belly laugh, and your blog makes me go "hmmm, I really should think more." Great stuff.