(no subject)

[dewinged]

A thought.

Is it better for someone to go towards the light, or for others to bring light to the dark places?

(Note: When I say 'go towards the light' I'm not talking about death. I'm not /that/ downhearted. This is more philosophical in scope.)

Comments

[samy.livejournal.com]

"And you, Frodo Baggins, I give you the light of Earendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out."

Sorry, just your words made me think of that quote.

[pomr.livejournal.com]

Situational, my friend. It is purely based on the situation. It is a wonderful thing when someone comes to the light of their own accord, I would think that is generally the best possible outcome. However, that said sometimes the light needs to be brought to those that don't even know that it exists. :)

[bluish-purplish.livejournal.com]

I think it's always better for someone to go towards the light, IMO. It just isn't always possible. Sometimes, you need someone to come find you, and bring a spare flashlight and a map. That, because I don't think anyone can bring someone out of darkness, or really banish it. They can just offer the tools to help a person find their own way out.

[samy.livejournal.com]

I brand that as 'modern isolationism', where everybody is left on their own and have to ultimately always fend for themselves.

I think I like the older model better, where people didn't have such a hard-on about always forcing everybody to be a fully functional island unto themselves.

IMO, the purpose of friends and family is exactly to be there for people when they're needed, because sometimes you can't make it alone. Not just to give you the tools necessary for survival, but hunt down your food for you if they have to.

Modern society is all about the coming up with excuses to be more selfish. Psychobabble about 'oh, he'll be MUCH better off when he figures things out on his own', it's just that. An excuse so we'll have a good conscience about not getting as involved as people would have gotten fifty years ago.

Selfishness, that's all I see it as. A world where everybody's dedicating themselves more towards propping themselves up, and not caring about rising upwards as a network of friends and family, all collectively.

[bluish-purplish.livejournal.com]

I see nothing at all wrong with helping someone as much as possible. And I don't at all think anyone should try to be an island. Making getting into the light easier for someone by helping with some of the symptoms is great. But I don't think that a person can really get out of it until they are able to get themselves out by making whatever changes are needed.

[foomf.livejournal.com]

Nobody is ever able to come out of the darkness alone, and nobody is ever able to change by themselves without the transformative effect of help from others.

[samguthrie.livejournal.com]

"The Dark can embrace the Light, but never eclipse it."

...A lot of people hate that movie. Not me. Anyway, I think it's the duty of all of us to try to shed the light on dark things, and the duty of people who're trapped in darkness to turn toward the light - Unfortunately it's a lot harder than it sounds.

[usagi-k1.livejournal.com]

"Heard a singer on the radio
Late last night
Said he's gonna kick the darkness
'Till it bleeds daylight"

- U2