Do you guys realize how easy it is to just hate everything nowadays?
“Oh, you got those shoes on sale? They must be out of style.”
“You’re taking a trip to Greece? You probably won’t be able to understand anyone.”
“You cured cancer? Sure whatever, but there’s still like millions of people dying from AIDs every day.”
Pessimism isn’t just a state of mind anymore – it’s a way of life. And as much as we want to make fun of hipsters for their bikes and mustaches and clothes – those stupid, stupid clothes – the real issue is this new attitude that apathy is cool. No, wait, that’s too positive. That’s admitting something is cool. I should say caring isn’t cool.
But, man, caring is so cool. Enthusiasm is really awesome. Have you ever met someone who genuinely likes something? It is beautiful to watch their eyes light up and just become amazingly happy as they rattle off stats or figures or types of bread or whatever (I’m not going to pretend to know what this hypothetical man or lady is into). I can listen to anyone talk if it’s something they’re really passionate about, barring Nazi sympathizers or people who like mayonnaise of course (it’s like Michelin Man blood).
I can’t pretend that I’m not guilty of not caring. Last Christmas I opened up a beautiful new video camera from my sisters, the only present I had really asked for. Now I know you’re thinking “Woah Shelby, we get it, no need to shove your advanced technology in our faces,” because apparently I assume you are all cavemen that exclusively listen to Zunes. The point is, after I opened this gift I had really, absolutely wanted, I stated in a deadpan voice, “Wow. Thank you. I love it.”
And how dare I? How dare I show so little feeling when inside I was so happy? It wasn’t fair – it was cruel. It was messed up. And I will always think back on that and cringe. As I type this my sister and I are watching a documentary on pandas. PANDAS! PANDA BEARS! Universally recognized as the cutest and most huggable quadroped. And do you know what I just said, after watching a woman literally CUDDLE WITH A PANDA?? “They’re probably annoying though.”
Look, I’m not saying you can’t be sad, or angry, or upset. You can be realistic and not take things at face value. But when you’re happy, just be happy. If you’re excited, oh man BE EXCITED. And don’t worry about not looking cool, because ten years later you won’t be psyched to have saved face in front of a bunch of strangers, but you’ll hate yourself for not dancing like crazy to your favorite song.
Featured Image via Wonkette.com
seriously i used to pause after i let out a huge laugh and look to see if anyone was giving me the “ugh” eyes, not embarrassed by my laugh but just making sure i wasnt bothering anyone…now i realize if my laughter (ie; enjoyment) bothers someone, thats on them. i laugh with abandon now and afford my self the same opportunity for enjoyment and silliness and merriment that i afford others. and i try to give genuine props whenever i can because it switches the atmosphere from hating to congratulating. btw, great piece
I was going to share my excitement and love for mayonnaise, but I can see my views are not welcome here.
Just kidding. Great article!
I love this, and I absolutely agree! Been going out with a wonderful girl who is super excited about a lot of things, and it’s so nice to see. It just lights me up.
Good article, I definitely need to start giving more enthusiastic responses in my life.
(A) Pandas are the absolute best. There should be a show devoted to them on Animal Planet that runs every night, and (B) Totally agree about enthusiasm. I’m enthusiastic about reading, good television and, yeah, pandas!
Totally, agree, caring is definitely cool!
This is WONDERFUL! And EXACTLY what the world needs to hear these days. Things are taken for granted so often, and people don’t appreciate the small things. Almost everyone I know has such a gigantic pessimistic side nowadays, even I am guilty of it, I’ll outright admit it. No wonder people are always so angry on the road, at work, at home, etc. Time to take a breath and enjoy life again! Lot of love to you Shelby, thanks for the reminder! <3
You are getting the BIGGEST thumbs up right now. I am trying to raise my daughter to be optimistic by default, grateful without effort and to just live in AWESOME and not in this bullshit way the rest of the world seems to gravitate toward. I love this and you so thank you for writing it!
Reading this couldn’t have come at a better time for me! All my family and my husband’s family are travelling overseas this year, I’ve never left Australia and I desperately want to travel overseas and we have a new baby and are down one income so it feels like it will NEVER happen. I’m jealous of everyone (like I haven’t been since I was a little brat) and I hate the ugly feeling of it and I’m worried that I’ll be all sulky and unwilling to see their travel snaps and hear their wonderful stories when they get back. I’m trying (pretty unsuccessfully) to focus on how fortunate I am: lovely husband who works so I don’t have to, absolutely gorgeous new daughter etc etc….. So ANYWAY, thank you for this article! Hopefully it helps me to stop feeling so sorry for myself.
I couldn’t agree more! What’s even worse is that sometimes people roll their eyeballs at me for my optimism, and try to make me feel guilty or naive because I have a good attitude. What people don’t realize is that it takes courage to be optimistic. Any monkey can say, “Wow, shit’s bleak.” about a given situation, it takes a brave person to say, “Shit might be bleak, but there is a way to make this better”.
Dude, I so relate. I’m a marketing/comm intern for a non-profit blood bank, and today, after writing an article about giving the gift of life to save the patients in need, I actually caught myself wondering if the subject matter could get any more cheesy. And then I got over it, goddamnit, because this goddamn world needs more goddamn fluff pieces.
Those pandas are fighting each other to the death.
i was talking about this during The Voice last night. DIA, SO amazing but SO nonchalant it hurt my feelings.
mayonnaise=Michelin Man blood? genius!
Couldn’t agree more!
Way to be enthusiastic about enthusiasm – it’s infectious
I <3 this article, and not just because it features Pandas, the world's most underrated bears. I agree that its so easy to give a negative spin to something that is otherwise completely harmless and happy. I hear it ALL the time, and it brings you down and makes you age. I know I'm guilty of it as well, but feel hopeful that we can turn it around!
my new favorite quote :”ten years later you won’t be psyched to have saved face in front of a bunch of strangers, but you’ll hate yourself for not dancing like crazy to your favorite song.” awesome!
I completely agree with all this. Go You, for writing this!