I was going to post that on my blog today too! Is that the real answer to why we are alone...because we are such extraordinary women?? Hmm...does put you in that kind of mood huh?
Hmmm . . . I dunno. I guess another part of why this quotation resonated with me is that I can relate in many ways to Lorraine Hansberry's life experience.
The Bible says that to "whom much is given, much is required," and I'm coming to the realization that since God has enabled me in a lot of ways, it's up to me to step up to the plate and use what He's given me. And in doing so, sometimes I feel like I'm trudging all alone on the road less traveled, so to speak.
But the Bible also says to "be not weary in well doing," so as long as I'm doing "well" (I think), I've come to the conclusion that feeling alone at times might just kinda be part of it.
But ya know, if I were a betting woman, I'd be willing to bet there's an "extraordinary" man with whom I'll cross paths sooner or later somewhere along the way where two less traveled roads meet.
ooooowwwww my toes. that quote stings. there are days when i'd give up that "being exceptional" to fall into the status quo that seems so happy all coupled up. am i allowed to admit that?? ps, i may put that quote on my ec profile, and i'll credit you as well, k?
Cool, snb. :-) Yes, I'm with you on the whole not minding falling into the status quo too. I admit it with you.
But the more I think about it, the more I feel like I wouldn't be happy any other way. If I said, "forget being 'exceptional,' I wanna be like everybody else and do what everybody else is doing," I would feel wretched at the end of the day.
For me, the "being lonely" doesn't just have to do with not being coupled up (though it is a part), but also with simply feeling misunderstood in general and despertately wanting to fit smoothly into some kind of niche, some sort of framework.
But I guess the thing with so-called "exceptional" people is that sometimes you've got to build your own framework.
do you think that the status quo knows they are status quo? if they don't they probably are happy in their ignorance. the rest of us who aren't would know the difference, but i wonder if the "others" do.
Hmmmm . . . there are parts of my life that I consider status quo, and I know it, but I'm not necessarily happy with it.
Maybe the break down of so-called 'status quo' and 'exceptional' is a lot more complicated:
1. People who are living the status quo and are happy with it.
2. People who are living the status quo and aren't happy with it.
3. But then, people who are living the status quo, aren't happy with it, and are doing everything in their power to change it.
4. Even still, people who are exceptional, and sit on their talents. A la the parable of the servant who dug a hole and hid the money.
5. And then I guess, the ideal, people who are exceptional and are living up to their potential.
I strive to be number 5, but many times I feel I'm a combination of 2-4.
But back to your original question--if living the 'status quo' meant jumping on the bandwagon of whatever and just wanting to blend in, be normal, and coast along, then I would say that yes, people who are in the status quo know they are. That is what they want out of life, and that is what will make them happy. I think they know that there is nothing . . . extraordinary or mountain-moving about that kind of life. But that is the life they wish to settle in. And I don't down anyone who wishes to do that.
But I, on the other hand, would be in agony. I want so much more out of life. I want to change things. I don't want to just coast along. And I think this is where my little inner conflict comes about. On one hand, I want to be normal and fit in somewhere. But on the other, I want to be extraordinary and effect change. I guess my question would be, are those desires contradictory? I have a sinking feeling that they are.
This is an awesome quote, but I think what stands out to me most is the singularity of the word "thing." It makes more sense to me as a quote if it's saying "If you are to be exceptional, you will be lonely" but it doesn't. What is that thing which makes you or me or anyone exceptional? Lorraine Hansberry was exceptionally honest and even exceptionally tender in the face of exceptionally oppressive/wicked circumstances, I think. I'm working more from the impact of A Raisin in the Sun than my knowledge of her as a person. I'm just thinking--she got this title from Langston Hughes and perhaps this is indication that she did not feel so lonely after all. Because she resonated with his own exceptionally honest/painful/hopeful? perspective on life. Maybe the key is in recognizing where you feel resonance and not being afraid to exist there. On another note, a math teacher in college once said to me: "You only stand out in your individuality when you stand out in your error." A weird quote that's always stuck with me.
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I was going to post that on my blog today too! Is that the real answer to why we are alone...because we are such extraordinary women?? Hmm...does put you in that kind of mood huh?
Hmmm . . . I dunno. I guess another part of why this quotation resonated with me is that I can relate in many ways to Lorraine Hansberry's life experience.
The Bible says that to "whom much is given, much is required," and I'm coming to the realization that since God has enabled me in a lot of ways, it's up to me to step up to the plate and use what He's given me. And in doing so, sometimes I feel like I'm trudging all alone on the road less traveled, so to speak.
But the Bible also says to "be not weary in well doing," so as long as I'm doing "well" (I think), I've come to the conclusion that feeling alone at times might just kinda be part of it.
But ya know, if I were a betting woman, I'd be willing to bet there's an "extraordinary" man with whom I'll cross paths sooner or later somewhere along the way where two less traveled roads meet.
(insert swelling violin music here)
ooooowwwww my toes. that quote stings. there are days when i'd give up that "being exceptional" to fall into the status quo that seems so happy all coupled up. am i allowed to admit that?? ps, i may put that quote on my ec profile, and i'll credit you as well, k?
Cool, snb. :-) Yes, I'm with you on the whole not minding falling into the status quo too. I admit it with you.
But the more I think about it, the more I feel like I wouldn't be happy any other way. If I said, "forget being 'exceptional,' I wanna be like everybody else and do what everybody else is doing," I would feel wretched at the end of the day.
For me, the "being lonely" doesn't just have to do with not being coupled up (though it is a part), but also with simply feeling misunderstood in general and despertately wanting to fit smoothly into some kind of niche, some sort of framework.
But I guess the thing with so-called "exceptional" people is that sometimes you've got to build your own framework.
do you think that the status quo knows they are status quo? if they don't they probably are happy in their ignorance. the rest of us who aren't would know the difference, but i wonder if the "others" do.
Hmmmm . . . there are parts of my life that I consider status quo, and I know it, but I'm not necessarily happy with it.
Maybe the break down of so-called 'status quo' and 'exceptional' is a lot more complicated:
1. People who are living the status quo and are happy with it.
2. People who are living the status quo and aren't happy with it.
3. But then, people who are living the status quo, aren't happy with it, and are doing everything in their power to change it.
4. Even still, people who are exceptional, and sit on their talents. A la the parable of the servant who dug a hole and hid the money.
5. And then I guess, the ideal, people who are exceptional and are living up to their potential.
I strive to be number 5, but many times I feel I'm a combination of 2-4.
But back to your original question--if living the 'status quo' meant jumping on the bandwagon of whatever and just wanting to blend in, be normal, and coast along, then I would say that yes, people who are in the status quo know they are. That is what they want out of life, and that is what will make them happy. I think they know that there is nothing . . . extraordinary or mountain-moving about that kind of life. But that is the life they wish to settle in. And I don't down anyone who wishes to do that.
But I, on the other hand, would be in agony. I want so much more out of life. I want to change things. I don't want to just coast along. And I think this is where my little inner conflict comes about. On one hand, I want to be normal and fit in somewhere. But on the other, I want to be extraordinary and effect change. I guess my question would be, are those desires contradictory? I have a sinking feeling that they are.
This is an awesome quote, but I think what stands out to me most is the singularity of the word "thing." It makes more sense to me as a quote if it's saying "If you are to be exceptional, you will be lonely" but it doesn't. What is that thing which makes you or me or anyone exceptional? Lorraine Hansberry was exceptionally honest and even exceptionally tender in the face of exceptionally oppressive/wicked circumstances, I think. I'm working more from the impact of A Raisin in the Sun than my knowledge of her as a person. I'm just thinking--she got this title from Langston Hughes and perhaps this is indication that she did not feel so lonely after all. Because she resonated with his own exceptionally honest/painful/hopeful? perspective on life. Maybe the key is in recognizing where you feel resonance and not being afraid to exist there. On another note, a math teacher in college once said to me: "You only stand out in your individuality when you stand out in your error." A weird quote that's always stuck with me.
hi Chantell I followed a link from rambling rose. Nice site you have here. That qoute can be so true at times. Thankfully we have Jesus.
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