Popular Posts

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Drama: A Human Condition

By: Phil Stevens


Something that I’ve been pondering, and is seemingly jumping out to me from every corner of late is when, where, and why did the human race start to desire, and seemingly love negativity and drama.

People seem to live on putting one another down, or getting joy out of seeing others fail, or others have it worse off then them. There is a lack of bettering ones self by progressing, and instead a focus on putting others down in order to make your existence appear better.




This is nothing new, We see it every day. Its on TV, on the street, in the news, our politics, on the internet, it infest our daily lives. Just in the world of training and nutrition its like an epidemic. No matter your goal someone is going to have the opposite view, of course.

Instead of accepting your goal as yours and a noble endeavor the first thing that they are going to do is put you down in some odd attempt to make their view right, or perceive themselves better.

No group, or view, is immune. If your goal is to lose fat and you have restricted your eating for such, what’s the first thing people say when your out to eat? “Why are you eating that!” or they do everything to single to try and break you. Offering this or that in which they know you are not accepting in your plan right now. Anything to make you fail. Its every where.

Bodybuilders hate the fat power lifters. Raw power lifters hate equipped power lifters, everyone hates everyone else.

Honestly for the most part seemingly every one hates everyone else, and they don’t want to see anyone excel. Look at any post, on most any forum, or any video on you tube. If its something great in general there will be no reply at all, or maybe a “good job.” Simple, quick, and largely heartless. Now take the negative replies, warranted or not, there will be novels written by people with no rhyme or reason other then to chip away at someone. Start a fight , a meaningless pissing match, DRAMA. We live for it. Like piranha at the first hint of blood, Devour.

The sad thing is we’ve ALL been victims of it. I don’t care what you say we’ve all done it and do it. Its just a matter of to what extent, and to what box you’re a member. It happens. Realize it. Its to what extent we do so.

A friend of mine and I were talking about just this last night. Where did this come from? How much is human nature? How much is healthy and actually pushes us to do better, and How much is simply a waste of collective energy that people need to refocus on making themselves better instead of concentrating on putting others down? Where do you draw the line? What’s good and what’s bad?

Competition isn’t by any means all bad. I'd argue the opposite, it’s a must. It’s just the vehicle for that competition that matters, the why and how of it.

Yes, were in a world obsessed with putting one another down. Advancement of oneself by belittling or harming others. At the same time were oddly in a world devoid of “healthy competition.” Competition is hidden and disguised. We're secretly looking to destroy one another, while at the same time preaching equality.

While everyone is trying all they can to put one another down, there at the same time voicing that we should all be equal. No one should be told they failed or came up short. You’ll hurt their feelings. No matter the effort put in we should all be equals, we should get the same accolades. School kids in sports and physical education. There is now a lack of competition., its shunned upon. What the hell?? Everyone gets a ribbon or trophy for competing. What good is that?

I have to feel both are equally evil. Belittlement of others for self advancement and the lack of open healthy competition.. They both breed mediocrity. Its leading to a society as a whole that’s weak, spineless, devoid of real companionship, compassion, drive, and advancement. People are down right scared to compete and “good lord no” what if I FAIL!!!

We need to wake the hell up. But how? The only thing I’ve come up with so far is the answer boils down to a level of maturity. A maturity that allows one to believe in, and even love oneself. Strive to control and better the one thing in life you can, You.

Why? What does this self-advancement, self-belief create. I think it creates security and ownership of the happenings, outcomes, and circumstances in your life. A security that allows you, and almost demands you, to push or pull others with you. When your secure in your own life and own skin you tend to then be open to bring others along with you. You will strive to surround yourself with like people. It breeds excellence.

These same people are the first to lend a hand or a congrats to their competitor, or someone seeking knowledge or help. They push themselves and others. Wanting and knowing they will come out on top, but at the same time honestly loving fact that others are bearing down on them, or even beating them at times.

Like I said, were all guilty on one level or another, at one time or another. It’s a fine line we walk and it seems as its escalating. I’d hate to see world either devoid of competition, or a world consumed with nothing but personal advancement at any cost. How do we strike that balance. I am not sure its 100% possible to be devoid of a longing to win and beat others, or even not put others down at times.

I think it's human nature to a point. But I do know it’s a powerful thing when you're able to honestly push others, and support others whom can and even do Kick your ass at times. To not long to for drama, negativity, and pain for others.

To not blame others for your defeat or loss, but congratulate them and learn form them, as they do you. I think it breeds a collective excellence, as opposed to a collective mediocrity that were quickly spiraling into, and I feel its all tied into a security with yourself.


No comments:

Post a Comment