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I'm running way behind in what I want to do here, but as part of my "Just write, damnit!" policy, I'm taking a philosophical theme from each episode of "24" and rambling about it. I'm cutting it because rambling is hard on the flist.
Theme Topic from "24" Episode 5.1 -- No matter where you go, there you are...
In "24" Jack Bauer fakes his death and walks away from his life. It's a thought that I'm sure everyone has had at one point or another: just pick up and go, start over. Fresh start, fresh life, and all that. I totally understand that some circumstances and situations can only be fixed by leaving them.
The trick is to know how much of the problem is the situation and how much is you. And it's not an easy distinction a lot of the time.
On 24, Jack is always pulled back into the fray because of who he is and what he knows. Although it's a television show, it's not too different from real life. More often than not people keep ending up in the same situations that they so desperately want to leave -- not because the situation won't leave them alone, but because who they are leads them back into similar situations.
If some one is confrontational and bullying, she will be confrontational and bullying in her new situation. If someone has a problem with an addictive personality, moving to a new local will not fix his problem. Moving away may aid in changing the behaviors that are routine and predictable, but it's no substitute for the hard work necessary for real personal change.
Taking yourself with you doesn't have to be a bad thing, mind. If someone dedicates his life to helping others, he will end up helping others no matter where he goes. A person focused on justice will fight injustice in any situation she comes to.
There are certain people in this world that always seem to be in the "right place at the right time" or "the wrong place at the wrong time". When we look at those lives, we always tend to look at the circumstances that pull them there. "If only they would have taken a right turn rather than a left" or "If they would have left ten minutes earlier". Those things are important, but even more important, IMO, is what decisions did those people make in regard to those circumstances.
I'm a big believer in free will and personal choice. Two people in the same situation will not behave the same way. Is the choice to stand up or look away? To help, to hope that someone else helps, or to think that no one should help at all? Your philosophy on life effects your choices, effects those around you and helps shape the situation that you live in. You carry that philosophy with you everywhere you go.
As much work and sacrifice that comes from changing the outward aspects of your life, it's not nearly the work needed to change the inner aspects.
Theme Topic from "24" Episode 5.1 -- No matter where you go, there you are...
In "24" Jack Bauer fakes his death and walks away from his life. It's a thought that I'm sure everyone has had at one point or another: just pick up and go, start over. Fresh start, fresh life, and all that. I totally understand that some circumstances and situations can only be fixed by leaving them.
The trick is to know how much of the problem is the situation and how much is you. And it's not an easy distinction a lot of the time.
On 24, Jack is always pulled back into the fray because of who he is and what he knows. Although it's a television show, it's not too different from real life. More often than not people keep ending up in the same situations that they so desperately want to leave -- not because the situation won't leave them alone, but because who they are leads them back into similar situations.
If some one is confrontational and bullying, she will be confrontational and bullying in her new situation. If someone has a problem with an addictive personality, moving to a new local will not fix his problem. Moving away may aid in changing the behaviors that are routine and predictable, but it's no substitute for the hard work necessary for real personal change.
Taking yourself with you doesn't have to be a bad thing, mind. If someone dedicates his life to helping others, he will end up helping others no matter where he goes. A person focused on justice will fight injustice in any situation she comes to.
There are certain people in this world that always seem to be in the "right place at the right time" or "the wrong place at the wrong time". When we look at those lives, we always tend to look at the circumstances that pull them there. "If only they would have taken a right turn rather than a left" or "If they would have left ten minutes earlier". Those things are important, but even more important, IMO, is what decisions did those people make in regard to those circumstances.
I'm a big believer in free will and personal choice. Two people in the same situation will not behave the same way. Is the choice to stand up or look away? To help, to hope that someone else helps, or to think that no one should help at all? Your philosophy on life effects your choices, effects those around you and helps shape the situation that you live in. You carry that philosophy with you everywhere you go.
As much work and sacrifice that comes from changing the outward aspects of your life, it's not nearly the work needed to change the inner aspects.
