-->Showing Off<--
Sometimes it is really easy to think yourself adequate or even good at things. And it is of course always nice to hear people say they admire what you do. But really, what is the point of being good or having talent for something if you don't do it or if no one can ever see?
Sure playing an instrument, making art or working out are ways of relaxation. But it adds additional value if those skills are shared. It is a way of touching others feelings, of bringing out emotions and for that, right: they need to be shown off.
Our society prescribes that showing off is something you do not do. And if you do you will be noticed for it. We do show off though, but on societies terms of when and how so it is essentially covered up: Art can be online, people can comment on it and browse through it, and possibly buy. When art is put in books it is for the purpose of selling and is not showing off anymore, it is a form of making a living. Playing music can be to entertain at social gatherings and playing sports can also be a job or a token of pride at defending your country's honour in a competition. WE do not choose to display, but are displayed. But all we really do is show off.
The trouble with really showing off though is that it is not safe. The general crowd, usually forgives imprefection (except maybe in sports). When showing off intentionally and fully concious you're inviting people to judge you, to look for mistakes and to hold you up to a certain standard. You're inviting people to experience negative emotions like dislike fear and rejection towards you or what you create. And that is scary!
It seems to represent the line we need to cross into professioanlism. Acquire the courage to be criticised and being good enough for it not to hurt your reputation.
Out of context: The athlete ball didnlt do much for me, they made a nice video of all the teams, that was nice, but it was definitely a night I could have better spent.. polaying guitar with Kezia, finishing my drawing or reading a book (WOW I sound geeky) And some nights are just not for feeling pretty.. so there.
For those who wanted to know and I didn't tel yet: I did play against UCLA (and my leg still seems attached to my body), had quite a nice game, we all did.. except that no one really got a break, and by the 4th quarter the bench was cold and the rest tired and we lost. We did well though, just not well enough!
Music: Benny Goodman or the Orwell Sisters, Bei Mir bist Du Schon (schein)
Quote: "Eccentricity is not, as dull people would have us believe, a form of madness. It is often a kind of innocent pride, and the man of genius and the aristocrat are frequently regarded as eccentrics because genius and aristocrat are entirely unafraid of and uninfluenced by the opinions and vagaries of the crowd."
-Edith Sitwell
Sure playing an instrument, making art or working out are ways of relaxation. But it adds additional value if those skills are shared. It is a way of touching others feelings, of bringing out emotions and for that, right: they need to be shown off.
Our society prescribes that showing off is something you do not do. And if you do you will be noticed for it. We do show off though, but on societies terms of when and how so it is essentially covered up: Art can be online, people can comment on it and browse through it, and possibly buy. When art is put in books it is for the purpose of selling and is not showing off anymore, it is a form of making a living. Playing music can be to entertain at social gatherings and playing sports can also be a job or a token of pride at defending your country's honour in a competition. WE do not choose to display, but are displayed. But all we really do is show off.
The trouble with really showing off though is that it is not safe. The general crowd, usually forgives imprefection (except maybe in sports). When showing off intentionally and fully concious you're inviting people to judge you, to look for mistakes and to hold you up to a certain standard. You're inviting people to experience negative emotions like dislike fear and rejection towards you or what you create. And that is scary!
It seems to represent the line we need to cross into professioanlism. Acquire the courage to be criticised and being good enough for it not to hurt your reputation.
Out of context: The athlete ball didnlt do much for me, they made a nice video of all the teams, that was nice, but it was definitely a night I could have better spent.. polaying guitar with Kezia, finishing my drawing or reading a book (WOW I sound geeky) And some nights are just not for feeling pretty.. so there.
For those who wanted to know and I didn't tel yet: I did play against UCLA (and my leg still seems attached to my body), had quite a nice game, we all did.. except that no one really got a break, and by the 4th quarter the bench was cold and the rest tired and we lost. We did well though, just not well enough!
Music: Benny Goodman or the Orwell Sisters, Bei Mir bist Du Schon (schein)
Quote: "Eccentricity is not, as dull people would have us believe, a form of madness. It is often a kind of innocent pride, and the man of genius and the aristocrat are frequently regarded as eccentrics because genius and aristocrat are entirely unafraid of and uninfluenced by the opinions and vagaries of the crowd."
-Edith Sitwell
posted by Nooy at Wednesday, April 05, 2006
2 Comments:
Interesting that you did not mention work.... Something in which you can excel too and in which some people show off in a terrible way. But then those are often the people who did that in University already. Very often the people I do not get along with.
The first broad beans showed their heads yesterday after almost a month in the earth. I planted them before going to Yemen, afraid that I would be late when coming back. It still is very cold for the year, so everything is slow.
Shame the ball did not turn out to be nice, did the fairy turn up too late with the ballgown???
Hugs.
Daddy
@ Longlegs:
I don't see how art, sport or the like differ from work. In fact, they can BE work :)
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