Just a few short decades ago, (I say short because these days everything is short including money, patience, and tempers) some people used to show how tough they were by getting tattoos, something that is common today. Back then, it was mostly bikers, marines, sailors, and wanna be marines, sailors, or bikers. Some donned a black leather jacket and rode motorcycles, daring to face the elements unprotected. But these were a minority. Many of them actually were tough, though they were a small part of the general population.
The minority was offset by the majority and their cars with classic looks, movies that mostly concentrated on love affairs, and clothes that concentrated more on keeping us protected from the elements and looking good so you could get a date than looking tough so you wouldn’t get punched. Look back at those cars, for instance. Notice their shapes and the individuality of each brand of car. The colors were soft enough to make a dove coo.
Kids played hard on playgrounds that would be banned today because of the danger the equipment poses. We make them wear helmets and padding and change the rules of games to protect them from any pain. Fist fights to decide the toughest among us did not attract the attention they do now with police in battle gear coming to jail the combatants. The result is a generation of little puff balls either gender or species confused. We hope the wind doesn’t blow them away…
Look at what we have now-
Cars that look armored as if they are going into battle and I suspect have little disguised ports that will open up and spray you with machine gun fire or even make you a crispy critter with deadly heat rays. And they all look alike! One exception is the Cube. What kind of Pusillanimous person would drive one of those? What a Pusey car!
Tattoos are abundant and there is a harsh edge to many them. At the same time, clothes are a statement. Some state how tough we are while others, yeah right. You want to look like a bear, cat, dog, or some other animal. What! You are gender confused and dress like the other sex? I’m sure there is a word for people who dress within the norm, but I haven’t gotten deep enough into the anti-culture to hear it. I’m sure that if there is one it will be considered a slur. Meanwhile, a group of superheroes, ready to take on anything, are approaching and don’t they look tough! I better get out of their way.
Movies have become violence fests that depend on special effects rather than good acting, writing, and directing. Oh, there’s some sort of love story, but only so they can show the most graphic sex their rating will allow. On top of that, if you can afford the ticket, you will have to take out a second on your house, if you have one, to be able to afford the snack bar. But most of us watch these abominations at home, so we don’t have to pay the high prices and can cram all the junk food down us we want. Bad food and a bad movie- that’s a recipe for nightmares.
Music used to be beautiful. It soothed you and comforted you when you needed it to. It provided a beat and a melody that stimulated your feet to dance. It caused you to introspect, to think. Now music is a beat with a harsh voice yelling at you. It jars the senses and gives no comfort. It’s hard and tough, like a stone bed in a sixteenth century prison cell. Where did the melody go? I’m not talking about all music. There are some musicians who still believe in rhythm, melody, and real singing. But unfortunately, popular culture has gone off the rails.
My opinion on this slide down the slope of toughness is that it’s like the big school bully that tried to beat me up in high school. He was big. He was known for being tough. To prove it he picked on me, one of the smallest, most peaceful boys in the school. He shoved my head into a brick wall expecting me to fall so he could laugh. Instead, I bounced off the wall and rearranged his face. Inside, bullies are scared little people who have to prove to themselves and others how tough they are. But they don’t want it to be a challenge.
Many of those in our culture are afraid. There is good reason to be fearful. The world has become so polluted that disease caused by pollution is rampant, especially among the young. Our food is poisoned with all kinds of chemicals that are not good for us, and it is made to be addictive as well. In many places, water from the tap is not fit to drink. The media seems to be trying to scare us to death with a parade of propaganda sometimes designed to take away our hope, sometimes distracting us from what is important. On top of that, we have a group of people who are trying to either take over the entire world or burn it to a cinder. Evil lurks around every corner. What’s a person to do?
You can hide under the sheets or behind an illusion of toughness. Neither of these will protect you, but you’ll have the illusion of protection. Perhaps you will band together with others who are also fearful. More illusion of protection. Being constantly afraid inside, even if you are not conscious of it, does not seem a good way to live. In fact, it can cause disease both in the body and in the mind. There is an alternative.
The alternative is to live your life with courage. Face the dangers and hardships. I’m not suggesting that you should not protect yourself or that there are not times to run away to face adversity another day. I’m just saying that there is a lot to be afraid of in life but recognize when you are fearful and understand that fear is only a survival tool when there is a place to run to. Courage fills us up, makes us whole and strong. Fear hollows us out and makes us weak. If you really are tough, you don’t have to broadcast it.