I would like to think of myself
as a hippie. Not because of drug use, flower crowns, or tie dye, but because I
try to have an open mind about the world around us. I also try to focus
more on positivity, my own mental/emotional health, and ways to not worry. I
try to do as much as I can to make myself, and others, happy in this short
life. I would call this whole mindset, having a free spirit.
People with a free spirit usually
don’t judge things before they try them, and they try not to judge people
before meeting them. I feel that this way of seeing the world is the opening of
a door to an infinite amount of opportunity and fun. It makes more friendships,
and they end up receiving love in exchange. People with a free spirit tend to
value life more, and they cherish the little things, like even the leaves
blowing in the wind. It sounds cheesy, but it’s too short to spread negativity
or stress about small things.
I feel that a free spirit brings
confidence to people around you and it shows people how to see things through a
clearer reality. When you think of someone with a free spirit, you think of
maybe someone irresponsible or sometimes lost. But I think it’s the total
opposite. The ones, who travel and are spontaneous, are the ones who aren’t
trying to rush into life. Because, if you rush into life, it goes by so quick
and you end up rushing to the end of life.
I originally started seeing the
world in this new perspective because I realized, while looking up into the
stars, that all of our little problems are so small that they aren’t even worth
worrying about unless they affect the bigger picture. I mean, don’t get me
wrong- cancer, other diseases, death, birth, marriage, a job, etc. are things
that affect the bigger picture, and are worth the stars in the sky. But, the
last fight with your parents, that last grade on your philosophy test, not
getting the first internship you apply for- those are all manageable hills on
the horizon, and you will live through them. Some people don’t even look at the
sky long enough to realize any of this because they’re too busy worrying about
things that time will take care of.
That brings me to one of my
favorite quotes from a legend of a musician:
“Everything
will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” –John Lennon
I feel that more people should
try to live by this quote, or something similar, because it’s so true. If you
really think about it, and not to be negative, but we’re all going to end up on
a death bed. And, hopefully, people who love us and whom we love will surround
it. That’s why having a free spirit, or a less worrisome mind, is worth having.
The earth we live on is so beautiful, and the people who keep advancing it are
even more so.
DQ's:
1) Do you think you have a free spirit?
2) Do you think you stop to "smell the roses," or in other words value little things, enough?
3) If not, do you think you would be happier if you worried a little less and started to see the world through a bigger frame?
4) If you disagree with this mindset, why?
5) Do you agree with Lennon when he says there will be happiness in the end?
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I know that not everyone thinks like me, but here's a picture to put problems you might be having into perspective:
The "hippie" perspective as you describe it looks & sounds a lot like the cosmic perspective, a free-spirited sense of tolerance and perspective. Why do you suppose some people shrink from that perspective and, like Blaise Pascal, say the stars are frightening?
ReplyDeleteThe John Lennon quote makes him sound like a cosmic optimist, maybe even a Hegelian. His tragic end was definitely not okay though, was it? Does the hippie/cosmic perspective recognize the tragic dimension of life?
I feel that maybe the people that keep away from that mindset are too scared to see that their issues aren't as important as they think. And, personally (I don't know how others feel), I definitely recognize that death is tragic and that essentially living is a privilege. Lennon's death was not okay, but I think that he tried to have that free spirit mindset most of the time, even if he seemed selfish with his music.
DeleteThis was an interesting read. I definitely do not live with a free spirit, though maybe I should. Stressing over small details in life has always been my downfall, and I know that looking at the bigger picture would probably put me in a position of mental tranquility. I feel that the hippie/cosmic perspective does indeed recognize the tragic dimension of life, but through life experiences and focusing on personal happiness, it outweighs the thought of impending doom.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said that last sentence any better, and i definitely agree. And the reason why I changed my view on life is because I used to end up hurting myself emotionally with all of my little worries. I haven't mastered it yet, but I have gotten better at realizing what is important enough to ponder on.
Delete1) I do believe that I have a free spirit
ReplyDelete2) I do value the little things in life, sometimes more than the larger things in life
5) I'm not sure if I agree with this, some people pass in gruel ways. When it comes to my personal life yes I do believe everything will be okay in the end, it's the only mindset that will keep you going.
Very true, some people pass in cruel ways. But I feel that, to have true happiness, everyone should try to make the best of every situation.
Delete1. I'd like to think that i have a free spirit. i can be a little uptight at times but i strive to be a free spirit.
ReplyDelete2.Yes i believe that i do. With your statement about enjoying the leaves blowing and how it sounds cheesy, i agree with it and think that people should be able to sit back and think about how lovely the small things are as such.