Inside Out

Inside Out

The dilemma I confront in this the finale of higher education and transition of life, is how to make the most of my reality without it being ‘all about me’.  My basic philosophy is to live life to the best of my ability.  True, this general concept can cover the spectrum of most all belief systems (religious or otherwise) and, I might add, usually puts an abrupt end to any exuberant discussion thereof, but the problem I find myself contemplating is that this “be the best you can be” clichéd philosophy is inherently selfish.  While aiming for success in school or career, living (or attempting to live) a healthy lifestyle, not doing harm to self or others, and trying basically to be “a responsible citizen of the floating world” (Burton), the ensuing whirlwind of activity vortexes inward.  Certainly there may be some positive effect on the rest of the world as a result of living a ‘good’ existence, but I do not believe that it is enough to release residual goodness as a contributing citizen.

Throughout the past few months study of selected cross-cultural literature, we have learned how narratives “give shape to the world around us and the world of our experiences” (Burton 37).  Masuji Ono in An Artist of the Floating World creates a narrative that condemns him of the short comings of his life; his self absorbed perception prevents him from seeing the reality of his life existence.  Salman Rushdie in short stories such as At the Auction of the Ruby slippers portrays a narrative of the sickness of mans greed, a lust for self-precipitated salvation, and bought identity—if only to be called somebody. These narratives speak of realities gone a-rye.  In examining my own narrative I wonder if I, to some extent, fall prey to the flaws identified in these readings.             

“It is only when we learn how to stand outside ourselves, literally seeing ourselves as a character in a novel, that we come to realize the extent to which our choices are compromised both by values consciously or unconsciously adopted by ourselves and by the communities to which we belong” (Burton 131). 

Professor Rob Burtons’ preceding statement of how we are to acknowledge the narratives that constitute our identity, is in fact the remedy for what ails mankind (myself of course included).  We can only see our faults when we perceive ourselves differently; outside in rather than inside out.  Being as environment (in our American case driven for the most part by capitalism) to a great extent shapes what our identity is “supposed to be”, overcoming the narrative dictation we are born into is near impossible to overcome.  The problem I see and experience is a matter of how the frame shift of perspective is accomplished… genuinely.  The more we focus on self-perseverance (good or bad) the less time we take to listen to the narratives of others or, when we do acknowledge narratives around us, it is with criticism—my way is better than yours (this attitude being a negative byproduct of higher education).     

So how then do we use narratives, our own and those around us, to improve our footprint on the floating world?  After so much focus on successful self how do we convert our narrative to be one which leaves positive marks on the world (not simply the swirl of our selfish activity)?  Will, through an ongoing process of looking at ourselves from the outside in then using what we’ve learned to influence what we present from the inside out, we be inspired to mold our identity for the good of others?

Answers provided below are appreciated…