(no subject)

[randomness]

I suspect, sometimes, that it's not that people get older and wiser, but that most get better at making the appearance of their lives conform more closely to the expectations of those around them. If we can't avoid hiding our failures, at least we become more skilled in making them look like everyone else's.

Some don't even manage that.

Comments

[wolfkitn.livejournal.com]

hmmmm. "some don't even manage that."

this comes off as though it's a good thing, somehow, and as such if i've interpreted it right, i'm really not agreeing with it for all situations... i'm trying, sometimes with and sometimes without success, to be aware of when i'm trying to conform to someone else's expectations and to at least do it mindfully.

this is on my mind these days due to two examples: i struggled to find clothes to wear to work the other day, and to my SOs family reunion on saturday. when i stopped to think about it, it was because i'm trying to impress someone -- not be me, but who i thought they want me to be. i know there are certainly times to do that -- job interviews and weddings come to mind -- but there are other times when being authentic is harder, and much more valuable. the people i most admire are them, through and through, while somehow managing to be inoffensive about 98% of the time. the other percentage? well, heck, no one is perfect. ;)

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Yeah...I think this conversation deserves a non-public venue.

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Or at least it's an excuse to go have coffee. :)