Poor Wretches

At age 14, I read Les Miserables. I was so intrigued by the behavior of the characters, I finished it in two days. My 14 year old mind was entertained by the compassion, lies, and corruption. I couldn't put the book down and was disappointed at the last page. Not because I wasn't pleased, but because I was finished.

At 18, I was extremely excited when I heard there was movie. But, I couldn't tell you anything about the movie or its characters. I walked out before it had even played 10 minutes on the screen. I didn't like the way they changed an exchange between Jean Valjean and the priest regarding the stolen silverware. 

Whenever I watch a period piece, my mind tries to find similarities between the past and present regardless of the movie being fact or fiction. In life, progression from past to present can be easily seen in style of clothing, technology, and certain liberties given to certain people. 

For most, humans think we've changed because we no longer dress the same. We think we've changed because segregation isn't so obvious. We think we've changed because certain people can vote. But, if you think about the most basic drives in human behavior...you'll see similarities in people from the 1400's and people today. You'll see the same fear, jealousy, and deceit. You'll also see the same compassion, forgiveness, and love.

The saying "there's nothing new under the sun" is so ridiculously true. And while I dislike being the bearer of bad news, humans haven't changed. We've made advances in medicine and technology...but we've remained the same essentially. However, it does feel good to feel like were progressing. I'm one who hopes that one day the shift will be so great, change is inevitable. But, even while typing that, I was uncomfortable. Change is usually difficult or takes some adjusting. For humans, change might involve disagreement, conflict, rebellion, and maybe even lost lives. 

I think true change and evolution will occur when egos subside. I think change will occur when people are comfortable believing things their parents didn't believe or teach them. Of course, written words are easier than actual actions. My ego annoys and angers me at times. Sometimes it stifles, welcomes fear, and continues habitual actions that no longer serve me. Sometimes, convincing myself of something I was never told or taught as a child is difficult. I guess even in this, there's nothing new under the sun. I'm human. I guess all we can do is continue this path the best way we know how. I grateful for optimism, it was a necessary gift given to the human race. 

Comments

[andreadrummer]

beautifully transparent...