L'aura del Campo

2019年5月21日: Opinion-blog

Write about an opinion you’ve had that has changed over the years.

I've always been a deep thinker and passionate. Not good for changing opinions I've already mulled over. If I really don't care than I either don't have an opinion or can easily change.

So indulge me as I list some of my opinions.

1. "Humankind is One". I was raised with a version of this. My family wasn't as prejudiced as the place I grew up. Both my mother and father had grown up elsewhere and had a more embracing view of the world. That said, they had their blind spots... but that basic openness helped me cope with other people in spite of my lack of experience. My thoughts on this grew firmer as my experiences confirmed that we all are human, even those I don't particularly like. My area of study in college was biology and language. In spite of the evident diversity of life forms and how they expressed themselves there was always humanity at the core. By extension I feel this way to other sentient beings as well.

2. My alma mater. When I first visited the University of Kansas it was a blessing. So open. So embracing. When I got accepted on my birthday it was one of my happiest days. When I went there I blossomed. I lived on the Hill and made friends from all walks of life and even did well in school. But when I returned decades later it was the end of my road. My options had run out and I was in a homeless shelter for two years at the edge of the student ghetto. I remember the Oread Bookstore and the Kansas Union as becoming one of my refuges. But I had changed, my status in life had changed and the university itself had changed. I gained new perspectives from living below "Snob Hill" as the educational system became more of a club for the entitled class. This corporate model has since become a national trend.

3. Brussel sprouts. I avoided them as a child... along with pineapple and pork chops. My opinion of pork chops took time to change as I avoided them due to an incident as a teenager of getting deathly ill. Pineapple was crushed and came out of a can. I still despise pineapple upside down cake. But, fresh pineapple in Costa Rica is wonderful. Emphasis on "fresh" = local and picked that day. Brussel sprouts took some time. My taste buds were changing but not fast enough! Finally I had them at my sister's. She knows how to cook them properly. Now I try them hoping that others know how to cook them as well. Some do. With food two things have changed. My taste buds are "toast"; I can't smell or taste as well as I used to. Secondly, the food has changed. I was raised on bland food out of a can. Fresh and properly spiced makes a huge difference.

So let me compare these 3 categories.

1. There are things that are core beliefs. Although this may appear to evolve with time the essence remains the same. This includes only a few special people in my life.
2. There things may be part of my identity for a time but they are changeable, similar to clothes. I still wear clothes but they don't define me. This includes most of my friends.
3. Some things are "alienable". I interact with them but they are not a part of me. These may come and go and change. Food is obvious but this category also includes most people I meet.

The loss of anything and anybody that falls into category number 3 may bother me but I can deal with it. I hold on to category number 2 and mourn the loss. Attack category number 1 and it shakes me to the core.

My opinions as well as who I am fall into these circles. At the center... that's where you'll find me. Few bother to look that deep and I hide myself well.

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