L: Today was one of THOSE days. Do you know what I mean? Of course you do! When you worked like a dog, doing the job of four people and only being paid for one. When no matter how many buildings you leapt over in a single bound, bullets you deflected with your awesome bullet deflecting bracelets and fires you put out with your built-in trusty, handy dandy fire putter outer...LOLOL...it was just never enough. Well that's the day I had and in the end everyone tells me I should...ready? wait for it...wait for it...BE POSITIVE and be grateful I have a job in this economy. Not that I'm saying I am not happy to be among those to maintain their regular direct deposit, because I am. But what if I just want to be ANGRY? Mad as HELL! Pissed to the highest level of PISSIVITY! I can't because the world won't let me. Yep...ya heard me...they won't let me because somewhere along the line it became practically un-American to express anger over just about anything. Everything has become so darn positive that we celebrate death, disease, unemployment...hey you name the problem...we need to celebrate it. Doggonit that's right, throw a party for that newly unemployed husband and father of four...because this is something he should embrace rather than be totally depressed and disgusted about.
Even when K and I first introduced this blog, we were told that we shouldn't sound so ANGRY and don't use the word SAVAGE because it sounds ANGRY LOLOLOL...sometimes we even hold back from saying what really needs to be said...oh like the TRUTH, because it can be perceived as too harsh. When did this happen? When did we become a culture so afraid of an emotion that is not "positive"? Why do we always have to turn our frowns upside down, when in reality we might be experiencing something in our lives that warrants our whole entire face, mood and body to wrenched in a frown. I mean really...really???
So imagine my delight when I'm reading this months Elle magazine which features an interview with author Barbara Ehrenreich, titled "Positively Perverse", who is or has just released her new book Bright-sided. I won't go into any depth here because I have not yet read the book, but trust...the Savage women will be all over this. She talks about this very phenomemon where individuals who have been diagnosed with life-threatening diseases are constantly told to think positive thoughts and she frankly discusses how ludacris that notion really is. I mean sure, it probably does the patient some good to try to stay in good spirits, but I'm telling you right now if I'm diagnosed with a disease that could possibly end my time here on Earth...I'm gonna be mad enough to smack the spit out of the doctor's mouth. That's my word!
She also discusses the prosperity based worship trend that we see that claims a positive attitude with God will certainly yield riches and/or wealth etc, which puts us all in charge of our destinies and what happens in our lives purely based on our positive attitudes. So what happens when you're Miss Shenehneh Sunshine all the time and still you lose your job, your home and your car? Now what?!? Based on this positive thinking culture we're creating, Miss Shenehneh must keep thinking good thoughts and good things will come to her. I wonder if she has enough money left to buy a bridge that I could sell her :)
Anyway...I just needed to rant about that right quick because some days are just bad days and if one really believes in the true balance of life and the universe, that's a totally normal occurence. Just like some days it's sunny and pleasant others are rainy and mess up your hair...life is like that too. If we are constantly forcing pleasantries on ourselves we are not giving ourselves the chance to experience the full spectrum of emotions required to maintain a healthy emotional balance. It's no wonder we are considered a Prozac nation...people are so scared to have a sad feeling that they'd rather medicate and stay "positive".
Hey...these are just my thoughts. No gospel here, but just something to think about the next time you want to cry, scream or slap a fool. Those are just emotions and totally normal for a human being...I say let go and well...let go again :)
K: All I can say is "Can I get a witness?!!" LOLOL I have felt that all this positive schmositive talk was far too narrow in scope all along. Holla, if you're with me!
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