Strangely Disproportionate?!

I’d much rather take on the challenge of having to start over in a different country with a predetermined amount of money, than having to speak or perform something in front of a large group of people. Interesting? Strange? How did I get to this conclusion? I invite you to read on…

The last time I had my hair cut, we talked about only having very few [in my case no] friends in our lives as we get older. Additionally, we spoke about options for meeting new people when you are not a group oriented person to begin with. Discussing various possibilities, offered in our town, I blurted out, that I would much prefer the above mentioned challenge to being part of any type of group. First she looked at me, stunned, I would assume [?]. But watching her closely I could see, that she was considering my statement. Because then she smiled and said “From what I’ve learned about you so far, that makes sense. If you liked the country you had to start over in, I could see you actually doing it, too”. And right she is. Now don’t get me wrong. I would certainly have the proper respect, when approaching such a challenge or journey, of course. But instead of fear, there would be a hell of a lot of excitement mixed in as well. In stark contrast to being a part of, or having to present something to a group of people. Oh the horror. Absolutely not. No, thank you! The thought of that causes stomach aches, panic attacks, nightmares…In all honesty, these two tasks can’t be compared, because they are on very different levels. How does something, that lasts maybe a few minutes or hours be such a challenge versus something, that not only requires more effort longterm, but your future and well being depend upon the choices you make? I’m not sure that I can sufficiently explain what I mean. If not, I’m sorry. Did I really back off from people so much, that I would choose to change my entire life, instead of having to accomplish something within a group or having to be in the spotlight?

Old Fashioned?

I’m getting up there in age, and it is beginning to show. I would not call myself resistant to technical advancements or overall progress. But some things are better, the way I know them from childhood and being a young adult. Call me old fashioned? Perhaps. And if so, is that truly negative? I don’t think so, to be honest with you. Is it wrong to evaluate for yourself, whether or not the newest craze is everything it promises to be? And if indeed it isn’t, to steer clear of it? Is it wrong, if you choose not to “follow the herd” blindly? I think not.
To everyone, who prefers Netflix to DVDs, or Spotify to CDs and digital news formats to an actual newspaper [to name a few examples], both is fine and acceptable.
However, in my humble opinion, there is one disappointing “trend” on the horizon. More and more people have quite strong and increasingly negative reactions towards everyone, who is not going with the flow on every tired, boring new thing that tries to push its way into our lives and homes. That is, where the line needs to be drawn if you ask me. It’s not about being called old fashioned. Have at it, I don’t mind. But if the “old way” is becoming a frowned upon option, and you are criticized or even worse excluded, then I would call that a problem in need of address.
The current standard as well as modern advancements can peacefully co-exist, to service and include everyone according to preferences and needs. Perhaps it would be smart, to keep a close eye on how all of this develops from here onward.
And while I do try to find the positive in all these new technical advancements, it needs to be acceptable for everyone to evaluate, to pick and choose what’s right for them and what isn’t.
Old fashioned, the way I appear to be, I will continue to watch DVDs, and turn the pages of my paperback books. Even if they collect a little dust on the shelves, there’s just something satisfying and comforting about having the physical copy of the items you like. Am I wrong?