Human Nature (10/6/94)

As humans we have certain tendencies that, at times, seem to run our lives. Those tendencies include selfishness, jealousy, hatred, stubbornness, obsession and confusion to name a few.

Let’s take the first one: Selfishness. To think of yourself more than others. This is most common in small children and becomes less and less visible with age (but is still very much present among adults).

Next is Jealousy, a form of selfishness, but not as bad. It is wanting, for yourself, something (or someone) that someone else has. It’s not a very satisfying feeling. If you spend your life wishing you had what he has, you’ll never be happy. You’ll also annoy people around you with your endless whining.

Hatred: the straight out, utter despising of someone. This one can eat you up if you let it get the best of you. The littlest peeve, if left to fester, can soon turn into this horrible monster which makes its host irrational, moody and sometimes violent.

“No, I will not see things from your point of view, I’m right, my point of view is the best. I’m not going to listen to you, no, no, no, no…” - Stubbornness. Being closed-minded to everyone’s opinion but yours. This is especially difficult for you and everyone to cope with if you have an occupation in which you constantly are working with other people. Anything that requires a team effort; sports, work, a band a relationship; can’t work if one of those members is stubborn. Then he becomes the boss (or so he thinks) and people just won’t put up with that.

Okay, here’s a fun one: Obsession. This is when you want, more than anything, that which is extremely bad for you, of otherwise unattainable. The more people try to keep you away from an object (or person) you would like to obtain, the more you crave it. And then finally when people say, “Okay, fine, do what you want,” and all of a sudden, this thing is attainable, you run right out, and you… don’t want it anymore. Pretty warped and twisted, huh?

Last, but not least: Confusion (most common in teenagers). The result of all these aspects, plus others, trying to be dominant in your personality. With all of these traits trying to make themselves you, you soon forget who the real you is. It’s best to just wait and let them fight it out. Eventually they kill each other off, and only the real you will remain.

I hope you enjoyed this trip into the psyche, and I hope it didn’t make you too scared of yourself. Maybe it made you realize a few things that need changing. Do your best, but don’t get too frustrated, because remember; you’re only human.