As promised, this is part two of my thoughts regarding This Video on Zina Lahr. If you haven't already watched it, I implore you to spend the five minutes. It was worth it for me, at least.
Zina, a 23 year-old artist, had what she coined "Creative Compulsive Disorder." The apparent compulsion to turn "normal," "average," and "expected" into something more. Something unique. Something that makes us stop and reconsider what it is we're looking at and how we perceive it. It was Zina's personal hope that every single day, she could touch at least one person through art that makes the everyday a little less standard. It was clear that this was not a hobby, or even a passion, but this was the fabric of her very existence.
As much as I am a staunch advocate for moderation and constant consideration, I would be remiss if I didn't step back and point out the value of unbridled flow. A philosophy professor of mine once noted that "moderates don't fly plans into buildings. However, they also don't lead revolutions." I cannot say whether or not I fully believe that moderates are incapable of spearheading a revolution, but it does seem to strike a chord with some things that I've noticed about life around me. Those willing to take a chance, branch out, and achieve phenomenal results seem to always be those who are driven to their cause. I do think that this level of zest is necessary for change; necessary for breaking a cycle of stagnation that can set in when a society or person becomes too complacent. Without this kind of focused will, people will always second-guess themselves.
This is not to suggest that second-guessing ourselves is a bad thing. Quite the contrary, I think without the ability to doubt ourselves, we walk too quickly into the folds of egotism, hubris, and recklessness. But I do recognize that if we doubt ourselves every step of the way, a journey may take an infinite amount more time than it would otherwise. Society's perspectives on science, religion, education, politics, etc. are showing clear signs of that level of stagnation and perpetuation right now. So few people are trying to stand up and above the milieu to the ends of a progressive goal as compared to those who are willing to fight for their own personal gain or the retention of the status quo. The fewer beacons there are within the onslaught of voices calling for stasis, the less chance there is that the message is heard at all.
As a result of this, these people who have an unwavering commitment to their ideals are indispensable towards reminding our societies that humans are not meant to stand still. Humans are not meant to stop permanently. But it's incredibly easy to get to that point without someone of heroic stature to follow. We're afraid and self-conscious. We doubt ourselves and our intentions. Again, this is as much a strength of character as it is a weakness, but in the case of marching with the flow of time, it's very much a weakness.
We need to be able to look at a pile of garbage in an entirely new way. We need to be able to see others through a different lens. We need our view of society to fluctuate over time, so that we don't lose sight of where we are versus where we want to be. We need Zinas. We need them desperately, and it's an incredibly shame that we lost one as she was hitting her prime. It is a spirit that we most solemnly keep with us to remind ourselves of what human beings are truly capable of when we let go. When we allow our doubts to rest on the sidelines. When we're certain of ourselves.
It's not a state of being that we can always be in, nor should we aspire to be. But neither should we avoid it or fear it.
Certainty compels us to affect the world.
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Waddles
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