Lately this little phrase has been rattling around my head: “Become what you are.” But why? Why are all my vacant thoughts consuming me in this way?
Once when I was employed at the PJ’s on Maple St I was out front sweeping up the cigarette butts and such. A woman from the book shop up the block greeted me as she went inside to get a cup and mentioned something about my task at hand. I offered simply “It’s what I do.” And without a thought she replied “It becomes you.” What!? Ick!? It becomes me!?!! Really!? No thanks! But oh my, how right was she? We are what we do. We in effect become what we are.
Another time many years later I was working an opening shift at the Starbucks on Magazine and Washington (yes, I wore the green apron for many a year), and as the newspaper delivery guy was making his way on to his next stop we exchanged goodbyes only his was somewhat surly and mopey. At this time as if inspired by the bookshop lady I offered “We build our own cages.” He stopped in his tracks. Like me years before he didn’t like the notion, not one bit.
But I think my favorite thought on the subject may be The Funeral Museum of Houston’s slogan and that is “Any day above ground is a good one.” So true. It is what it is. We are what we are. Carpe diem. Sieze the cheeseburger. Or the blueberry mojito. Whatever it is that is becoming you.
z said
(so, i had a dream not 5 nights ago talking about this very thing. in it, i ate a cheeseburger.)
the dichotomy of “being” and “doing” is the rift between action and rest: the intent of the art (action) is not contingent the response to it (reaction), and yet both of these things are necessary for the redemption of aesthetic. It is not the push of the brush that smears the crimson tint, it is the eyes that reflect back only that one particular shade, the muscles that grip and tug the stick and hairs; it is the motion of sinew and the grace behind that blur of necessity that is the painting- not that framed thing on the wall at all.
I note this because the phrase “become what you are” is a bunch of bullshit, and it lies to you and limits your ability to move beyond pre-defined limits bestowed upon you as a human. “Are” is already over, and to become the past-state (of being) is to regress, not progress. Instead, it is key merely to note what you “are” and then move forward after self-criticism to either re-define or improve upon it.
We do build our own cages, yes, but it is also important to note that some traps are already built for us. All of them, though, are made of paper and straw, and can be batted down and away like any other spider’s web. My point is that an instant of clarity that merely flashes the futility of existence (even if and while glorifying it) is still quite the enemy of any period of discontent (or social responsibility) that serves to fuel progress (and/or problem solving).
I love non-sequitors more than most people- semantics is everything- but if i am lying to you i will always tell you that i’m doing it. It is not too much to return the favor from time to time.