We're Still Fighting It

I’m not really sure where to start on this one, but I just finished up another Post Secret book (The Secret Lives of Men and Women), looking through it a couple times over and watched a movie that made me realize a lot in a small amount of time. So let’s start with this…

What in the hell happens to us between the time we’re born and now? Seriously.

This movie was more geared to be funny and enjoyable and not something that just makes you take a step back and question everything, but it just made life that much more of a pain in the ass compared to how it all was when I was 5. How simple it was just to enjoy every aspect of life, find enjoyment in running through a sprinkler thinking that’s what its main purpose was, or pretending to run through some dangerous area when it’s only a slide, a couple swings and some monkey bars. Maybe not everyone did these things, but come on. Think about it.

And reading the post cards from this book…

“It’s not his baby”

“I contemplate suicide every day and if you knew why, you’d want me dead too.”

“I am creative enough to be dissatisfied, but not talented enough to find peace”

These secrets just go on and on and on. Signs of fear, disappointment, sadness. Things that no person ever wants to hear or go through. Things that we really didn’t understand or worry so much about when we were still young when we were enjoying life watching Rugrats, or contemplating whether we wanted the chicken mcnugget or hamburger happy meal hoping we would get the toy we wanted.

Everyone has worries. Everyone has those secrets or memories of something they don’t want to uncover ever again and as far as I’m concerned, that’s the worst part about it all. Things that can/will control future actions like how you spend your free time, what people you hang out with, what you want to spend your life doing, etc. Why do they have to be there? Because it’s a part of growing up? Because it’s a part of life as a whole? If so..that’s a damn poor excuse saying they “just happen”.

I realize some things like death are unavoidable…they do happen. But aside from those tragedies, why are so many people just the epitome of laziness? What is the deal with people hindering themselves from becoming fully independent people? Fearful of the results they may encounter down the road?

I just don’t understand it and maybe I never will because I know I have these problems too. I couldn’t tell you the amount of opportunities I have missed because of something that arose from my past that I know 15 years ago, I wouldn’t have given a care in the world to what that hindering obstacle may be. And I absolutely hate it.

Even to build on that, on a word which I absolutely hate and drive people to do idiotic things day in and day out…conforming. Back in the glory days of our old band Silent Reproach, we had a saying, “Never Conform”. Never change the way you go about things just because something may be in style or everyone else is doing it. And you can’t tell me this drives a good amount of people out there when they were growing up and have a decent amount to do with how some people stand today.

I can give you the names of three people I know who just cling to the closest person to them and mimic/talk about everything those people do and just end up following suit. I absolutely hate it. It’s that fear. It’s something that has gone from simplicity of doing what you enjoy doing to something that everyone else has just tagged on to. The need to be accepted and thought of as this decent person.

Yeah, I understand that people change and that it’s their own choice to do those things, but how many times is it influenced? The choice of boxing up all motivation in some solitary shell opposed to just going on some auto-pilot move and following the closest thing that moves.

I know I’ve repeated myself a few times in all of this, but if I had the choice to be where I am now to where I was 15 years ago, you have no idea how quickly I would rush back to just staying young forever. Not having to worry about all the small things like money and work, letting your mind run wild, getting snacks in class (come on…who didn’t enjoy that? One awesome memory I remember back in grade school is when someone had a birthday and brought in McDonald’s for everyone…now that was a good school lunch) and overall just being carefree with life.

I know everyone has their separate paths on how they live, I know there will be your assholes, douchebags, liars, cheaters or any other bad thing you could think of, I know issues like this just don’t disappear and we all deal with them, and I know that life will be complex no matter what we may attempt to do in life be it on our own or through the actions of others.

Just take a minute and reminisce of all those times way back when. Even thinking about old tv shows from back in the day and thinking, “I completely forgot about that show, I watched it every day, I loved it”. The majority of the things from back then you remember are going to be those goofy times when nothing really stood out as far as worries.

A lot of people say they can’t wait to grow up, I wonder why people want to put up with all the complexities of life instead of staying young and enjoying every small piece of it, but then again…most people have no idea what they’re getting themselves into when they get older. For all I care I can be the only one in the boat on this one and that’s ok. Just let life be, don’t let it control you…you need to control it and remember it doesn’t last long and you never know when it will stop.

Good morning, son.
I am a bird
Wearing a brown polyester shirt
You want a coke?
Maybe some fries?
The roast beef combos only $9.95
Its okay, you dont have to pay
Ive got all the change

Everybody knows
It hurts to grow up
And everybody does
Its so weird to be back here
Let me tell you what
The years go on and
Were still fighting it, were still fighting it
And youre so much like me
Im sorry

Good morning, son
In twenty years from now
Maybe well both sit down and have a few beers
And I can tell you bout today
And how I picked you up and everything changed
It was pain
Sunny days and rain
I knew youd feel the same things

Everybody knows
It sucks to grow up
And everybody does
Its so weird to be back here.
Let me tell you what
The years go on and
Were still fighting it, were still fighting it
Youll try and try and one day youll fly
Away from me

Good morning, son
I am a bird

It was pain
Sunny days and rain
I knew youd feel the same things

Everybody knows
Tt hurts to grow up
And everybody does
Its so weird to be back here.
Let me tell you what
The years go on and
Were still fighting it, were still fighting it
Oh, were still fighting it, were still fighting it

And youre so much like me
Im sorry

And by the way...for those of you who don't know what Post Secret is, google it and check it out. It's an eye opener. And thank you to the person who showed it to me. Even though I haven't talked to you in over 2 years.