Amour.
“Love” translated in a foreign land.
A translation known through most of the world with enough familiarity to pique our curiosity, but with the right amount of intrigue to see if it means anything more; a closer look might reveal a deeper meaning that could change our initial presumptions. A metaphor for two people viewing the same situation with vastly different interpretations, like the differences in the many connotations upon viewing the image of a woman when used in art or public ads.
We live in times where opinions have become the ultimate currency of the world, with a “lack of understanding” often being the prime source of contention that has too often been known to split friends — and our own minds — apart. This “currency”, unknowingly or not, wants to affect the way you think at every turn: the way you are perceived, how you feel about yourself, and even your hope or gloom in life can hinge upon this single concept — always in flux depending on what exactly is said. This is so much the case, in fact, that psychosis and neurosis are considered a common and “normal” part of life. Common, maybe, but not normal.
The current social climate doesn’t serve us in the way we need it to. When we’re alone and away from the constant input of conversation and information download, it’s a critical importance to differentiate with yourself what is true and what is considered “accepted”. The difference is everything, as is forming and adhering to your convictions. The blurring of that line is an immeasurable consequence with compounding reverberations that will be felt more with each passing year. There are those that are quick to see that there is a widespread and ongoing social phenomenon, that if left unchecked or underestimated, will permeate the minds of every major culture like harmful gases in the ozone. Slow, but undoubtedly effective in their intent to erode what was once thought impennatrable.
Speaking & thoughtfulness, a pairing that is thought best used inseperably, have been regarded as the paradigm for navigating any significant social interaction since the times when philosophical debates were held amongst marble & concrete pantheons. Egalitarianism and understanding were prioritized, even when emotions ran high and a mediator needed to step in. Salons, discussions held around and after the French Revolution, placed civility and courtesy on equal footing with honesty and openness. Often, in the current social climate, we see a lack of upholding of these ideals in exchange for highly reactive initial thoughts and quickly spoken (and often, unfounded) points of views, with the apparent intent to appear as the best idea in the room — even for the most trivial of matters.
Many have seemingly found themselves questioning why there is such an emphasis on “winning” an argument rather than the understanding of the situation. I question this myself.
It seems that in our need to be “right” or seen clearly, what is actually being demonstrated is the need for understanding of what is actually said to us. This is so that we can understand how to receive information that changes the way we think, and in turn, how to live.
All of this can give an impression that the current social currency has run its course, and an opportunity for a new way of how we exchange value with people is needed. One where understanding, patience, and thoughtfulness take the lead while hastiness and a desire to “be right” see themselves out of the conversation. It’s a challenge to be sure… maybe better represented by a battle. But not with the other person or the internet — but of our minds. A battle of which that if not overcome, then no beneficial result can be expected to follow. This is where the real victory is won.
We’re not gods. We don’t just “save ourselves” as if we can simply remove all ailments in our lives (as if eliminating all “bad” in the world were even possible by a mere thought). It takes effort, faith — both inwardly and out. The “out” portion looks something like finding something bigger than ourselves to rely on; something that’s usefulness or necessity isn’t totally negated by its absence in our life. People come to mind when thinking of things that come and go. No matter how great the love, nothing made from this earth lasts forever, at least in the material sense.
There are few things with true permanence in life, and even “few” may be too generous. But that is up to the individual to seek out.
What can be assured however, is the hope that is fulfilled by those in pursuit of a healthy mental climate. The mind, a place of which none of us will ever truly leave, holds a promise. This promise, this hope, is only achieved by the overcoming of great challenge, the most difficult of which being within our heads. But the result is a genuine peace you can live out your days with, one free of common worry, with a comfort that follows in every situation regardless if it seems appropriate… and a renewed determination for things you once only hoped for but now understand are real.