Whenever I check out someone’s blog, and I’m scanning through their archives, there are always words that get my attention. Actually, some of the things I love to read about on other people’s blog, are categories here on my own blog.
So here’s a list of the words that always compel me to read a post:
1. Passion. That’s a pretty big one. I have mixed feelings about passion, if for no other reason than because it’s such a trendy, and loaded word. Oprah has talked a lot about pursuing your passion, and bloggers love to discuss it too. I’m fascinated by people’s take on passion, how to cultivate it. But passion is also interesting, because I just left a comment on a friend’s blog today, talking about how people are really out of touch with their emotions. Passion is an emotion, so to tell someone to follow their passions, it’s akin to saying, “Follow your feelings”. Which is hella interesting.
2. Destiny/Life Purpose. I do and don’t see this word a lot. Maybe it’s because some bloggers interchange it for passion. Plus, destiny tends to have strong religious overtones and this implication of Determinism. Life purpose implies a lack of control and that we’re going to spend the rest of our lives searching for something. I don’t necessarily believe that there’s a destiny we must search for; you create it for yourself (normally by following your passion).
3. Happiness. Rebecca Thorman wrote this guest post about the pursuit of happiness. I have unresolved feelings toward happiness. At times I definitely believe that the pursuit of happiness is unwarranted, that it suggests that happiness is out there somewhere, instead of within. But going within is not something our culture (American) is known for. Or if it is, I definitely didn’t get the memo. But at times, I have unconscious pursued what I thought would make me happy; transferring colleges, moving to the Northwest. None of those things brought me any sort of happiness, but when my external world isn’t functioning in the way I want it to be, I find happiness difficult to attain or even believe in.
4. Anything to do with race and gender. Part of my hope with this blog is go talk more about the intersection of race and media because I’m fascinated by overt racism and how it perpetuates itself. Sometimes I find myself wondering why racism exists. Why would someone want to be racist? I remember watching American History X, and how Ed Norton’s character essentially became racist because his father was. His father’s beliefs morphed into his own. And I wonder what’s the best way to stop racism from existing.
5. Anything to do with risk-taking or living unconventionally. I don’t really like esoteric, fluffy language when it comes to living unconventionally. I would love more practical tips on how to avoid the 9-5, and how to make better career decisions. In fact, Penelope Trunk‘s blog is what prompted me to move from Seattle so that I can do some career oriented soul searching.
So what’s your favorite buzzword? What prompts you to read specific things on people’s blogs?
The origins/definition of the word passion are actually anger and rage, which got translated into strong emotion and then eventually love. Or as you say, strong emotion. I avoid the word as much as possible.
I don’t believe in happiness as we have talked about. I think you’re feeling both pleasure and pain in the same moments and the point is to seek balance instead of one over the other.
It’s interesting to me that some of the exact thing you look for are the things that give you mixed feelings, although that seems obvious when I write it out.
I have very much appreciate your perspective on race and gender. You’re such a good writer and your posts on those topics always get me thinking.
“The origins/definition of the word passion are actually anger and rage, which got translated into strong emotion and then eventually love. Or as you say, strong emotion. I avoid the word as much as possible.”
Oh okay – learn something new every day! I can see that; passion being anger. I find the preoccupation with passion really interesting because sometimes I feel like, if I’m not super passionate about something, then there must be something wrong with me. Like, passion is essential to the human experience. So… I have mixed feelings.
“I don’t believe in happiness as we have talked about. I think you’re feeling both pleasure and pain in the same moments and the point is to seek balance instead of one over the other.
I was thinking about this earlier today. If happiness isn’t the goal – then WHAT is the goal? For example, right now I feel anxious and miserable not working, so I think I’d be happier if I had a job. But then I thought that maybe I’d feel more secure, that I’d feel like I’d be making obvious and active steps working toward a perceivable goal. Especially since everything seems related to having a job, or at least making money. So I guess it’s more an issue of “peace of mind” versus “happiness”. And I think peace is more important because it’s not like happiness which seems to fluctuate, and be somewhat unachievable.
“It’s interesting to me that some of the exact thing you look for are the things that give you mixed feelings, although that seems obvious when I write it out.”
Hah. Yeah, I didn’t even notice that. I’ll have to go back and take a look at it. I guess because I want to understand my feelings on it, because I don’t entirely understand things like passion or happiness. So I like to read what other people’s perspectives are.
“I have very much appreciate your perspective on race and gender. You’re such a good writer and your posts on those topics always get me thinking.”
Oh thanks! Sometimes I feel like I don’t know enough or didn’t do a subject justice. But I’m glad that you’re enjoying them and getting something out of them. I’ll definitely keep in mind to write more of that then! :]