To some people different things about humans and regarding
humans have changed throughout history. Changes including appearance, equality,
or the role they play on earth. One thing that has undoubtedly changed is our
humanity and what it actually means to be a human. In the modern world, the only
things that seem to matter are the superficial and material things or ways to “improve”.
Everything is focused around the ideal that everything needs to be perfect (or
seem perfect), beautiful, efficient, and better than it was before. Constantly striving
for the next best thing, it seems as though we are never satisfied with what we
have been given initially. The need to always have that idea, plan, or
knowledge is what is taking away our capacity to be human. The ability to just
accept, enjoy the simple beauties of life, or marvel at what has been handed to
us just as perfect as it needs to be is harder for humans each day. It’s the simple
things that give life to us and the acceptance of the life we have being good
enough and not needing anything more that keeps us human. If we can get back to
appreciating the simplicity of life by looking around and realizing how lucky
we already are then we can start to regain our full humanity. Everything in
life can have a simple meaning if you just accept it for what it is.
What is an artist? An
artist is someone who does accept the simplicity of things and puts that into a
visual. They show you emotion, opinion, and life through their work. Putting their
minds on the canvas is what is good enough for them and is their simplicity. What
is it to be a man? What is it to be a woman? Those questions both have the same
answer because to be a man or a woman is just to be a human. The difference is
something that we’ve created by not accepting and trying to over control life.
So, what is a human? A human is someone who has values and beliefs, someone who
feels and recognizes emotion, someone who can connect to the world, and someone
who can accept the simplicity of life.
I agree with you about how we tend to only value that which is superficial and unnecessary, and when we have everything, we still want to improve. I love the line ”it’s the simple things that give life to us…”, it’s true that we are very lucky to have what we do, and there might have been a time when that alone was enough. It is sad to think that it’s not enough for us anymore. I’d like to add to the piece about art, that while some pieces many capture the essence of simplicity, there are others that are anything but simple. I have always seen the expression of emotion as complex. I know while working on my own art, the emotions are varying, overlapping and never quite clear, and that everyone who views it sees something different. Nice job. This illustrates a point of view I wish more would consider looking from.
ReplyDeleteWe do as humans tend to value unnecessary thing and it is true that we always need to improve. I like your understanding of the simplistic way that humans go about their lives. It is a sad concept to fathom that all humans can never truly be satisfied with what they have and that they are always striving to gain more in their lives. This is a very well put together post.
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