I caught up with my old friend Jack yesterday afternoon. I hadn’t seen him since high school, which was years ago. His brother happened to be in town for the weekend so he came along for lunch as well. The two siblings were virtually identical; the only thing discernibly different was their facial expressions. Jack displayed a happy and easy-going expression; his brother wore a defeated, surly grimace. Their outward appearance was clearly apparent in their personality. After dinner Jack’s brother left; I think he had to catch up with his girlfriend or something. I asked Jack about his brother’s considerably contrasting personality. “It’s funny how everyone’s character is apparent in their appearance,” I commented.
“I would argue that it’s actually society that has caused my brother’s outlook,” he said. “He’s always had a surly expression and people have always treated him as a negative person. I’ve always looked happy and people have always treated me as a joyful soul.”
The comment blew my mind. I know it doesn’t sound like much but rarely are my set ideas ever really challenged. At seven I could watch a bug and marvel at its ability to fly, at 14 the female body was always somewhat inexplicable, and at 23 the idea of fulltime employment was too much for my mind fully grasp. Come to think of it, I’m still suitably overwhelmed by the aforementioned examples. I guess this is just another to add to the list.
“I would argue that it’s actually society that has caused my brother’s outlook,” he said. “He’s always had a surly expression and people have always treated him as a negative person. I’ve always looked happy and people have always treated me as a joyful soul.”
The comment blew my mind. I know it doesn’t sound like much but rarely are my set ideas ever really challenged. At seven I could watch a bug and marvel at its ability to fly, at 14 the female body was always somewhat inexplicable, and at 23 the idea of fulltime employment was too much for my mind fully grasp. Come to think of it, I’m still suitably overwhelmed by the aforementioned examples. I guess this is just another to add to the list.