Saturday, August 25, 2012

The romantic past

As I was looking at some old photographs and reading some posts it occurred to me what a strange thing life really is. We look back at the things we used to do and romanticize them. Especially everyday things like our  occupation or daily chores. We speak of what we used to do and say how much we enjoyed it. And how much better things were back then. How is it we come to think that way ?
If we are honest with ourselves we know that isn't the case at all. There was little romance in the things we did. We did them simply to get by. To make a living and provide for ourselves and our families. They were often hard and uncomfortable. Subject to the whims of mother nature. We often couldn't wait to be done with whatever task we were doing. Ready for quitting time.
Later on poets write about it. Painters depict stirring scenes and old photographs are framed. We speak of how majestic it all was. Defying death itself and speak of the struggles. Were it only true as it happens. How exciting would be our days. But it is not so. Life, as it is being lived, is often boring. More so in the modern world I think. Maybe that explains the rise in popularity of those extreme sports. Seeking out the thrills. In the past those same thrills were an everyday thing. So we invented,improved and tailored our world. We made it better. And then we long for what we had. Man has always done so and it will never change.
So consider what you are doing today. What stories will you tell later on. Stories about the time your computer crashed or you were denied internet access. Stories of how you struggled by on only fifty thousand a year. No environmental control system in your home. Remember those cars that wouldn't park themselves ? Ah, but progress is being made and the future is bright. Solar powered one might say. Some things will never change.

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