What I've Picked Up Since Leaving the Womb.

by Sarah, on January 26th, 2010

agnostics and atheists—I’m one of them. I believe in the science behind our origins—that our ancestors are apes. I feel that I don’t need a God to help make me strong, or grant my wishes, or hear my prayers. Everything comes from who you are, and what you choose to do with it. (I also don’t believe in persuading others of what I believe about religion; it’s up to them to decide what they believe in, and that’s nowhere near wrong.)

Buddhists / Buddhism—My mother’s a Buddhist, so to hear about the different Gods and Goddesses (not exactly the right term, but I’m not quite sure how else to put them—divine beings?) and what they represent, or what they do, has always been weaved into the background. It’s not something that affects my life greatly each day, but it is eye-opening.

business—Can be both wonderful and horrible. The innovation and pure brilliance of some of the businessmen and women out there in the world is striking; I admire them deeply for it. The fact that we humans can build an empire out of managing resources and exchanging things with one another is incredible. Also, there’s the collision between people, places, and cultures that you find stemming from business (after all—why are we all here right now?) However what can be constructed, or built upon, can always fall down. As they say, money makes the world go round. It’s depressing to see how business can grow so important as to enter areas of moral and ethical conflict.

Christians / Christianity—Yes, I may not agree with them, but I can’t say that they’re wrong either.

competition—Is a good motivator. It’s hard not to get sucked into it, so moderation is key. I am a competitive person, but I wouldn’t say that it takes control over my emotions. I suppose that I use it as a method of keeping myself in check, and as a measure of my confidence and self-esteem.

culture—Is inescapable. It’s part of our identities as individuals, part of our identities as a group, and one of the few things (besides our personalities) that distinguishes us from another. We all come from someplace with some sort of family or childhood, with some sort of schooling or education, and with all sorts of influence. It’s impossible not to have culture; it’s IN you.

doctors—Funny that this is here. It’s ironic how much faith we have in them. I used to always think that it was a doctor’s job to care; to take the time and attention to treat his patient in the best way possible. They hold such a high status in our eyes (as normal people; non-doctors) that they become, for lack of a better metaphor, God. I may be biased from experience, but I’ve come to realize that medicine is a business. Having said this, I still suppose that most doctors do take that extra time and TLC (tender loving care) with their patients. Those that don’t though—the ones that fail to rise to their responsibilities; the ones that take shortcuts and tick their patients of a checklist one-by-one, don’t deserve squat. I know that they’re only human, but anyone that can toy with those who are desperate should turn around, go back to college, and find a new profession.

education—Isn’t only school. No one can teach you how to live life, it’s something you’ve got to learn for yourself.

environment—Is vital to the individual’s development, to the development of a community, and the rest of the world. It takes care of us, so we should be returning the favor. According to the media, this isn’t going so well.

freedom—Should be earned in small doses. I know I’m a hypocrite in saying this now, but when I’m 40 years old and have a teen-aged son or daughter…

history—Is somewhat like culture in the fact that it’s everywhere. On the other hand, it’s something that you can choose to accept, or hide.

homosexuality—Maybe not the most natural of things, but hey, if the birds want the bees, who’s to tell them “no”?

human nature—I find it pretty strange how thinking about it can make us seem more base, like animals, while also more sophisticated at the same time. In one sense, we have our needs; our desires and appetites. Whether it be an appetite for hunger, for security, or even for sex—it’s still that animalistic drive that keeps this side of our human nature going. On the other hand, you have the more “we-are-human-beings-and-therefore-sophisticated-thinkers-and-superior” image, where our appetite for knowledge drives us farther up the evolutionary chain. The side that asks questions and finds answers; that categorizes and reflects, separates us from that animal side. I find it funny how so many people end up skipping over analyzing themselves first, before going off to understand the rest of the world.

Jews / Judaism—Another prime example of the majority squashing the minority. This seems to happen too often.

justice—Is defined differently by each individual. I know I’ve got strong principles. This can be a good thing—providing the confidence to stand up for what’s right, pointing out when you or someone else is being wronged—or bad.

money—Shouldn’t be as important as it is, but there doesn’t seem to be any alternative.

progress—A little is still some. How for one has progressed, and whether that progression is substantial, is completely subjective.

religion—Should be something that you decide yourself, and shouldn’t have to be ridiculed for.

the future—Can be something that’s hard to even think about sometimes, and at others, something you can’t stop obsessing about. It all depends on your beliefs of what that day, that night, or that certain event will bring. The “unknowing” part becomes annoying sometimes though.

trust—Is crucial, but hard to come by. And involves a little faith in the person you’re dealing with.

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