Ok. Lets say you're sitting in theater class. And everyone is sitting in a circle reading thier response to thier chosen quote. And it's my turn, and I'm kinda a quiet person. Would you think it was wierd if someone said the following.... Oh and it definitely needs editing, so yea haha oh and my quote was. "I've worked hard as a person, and as an actor, to fight my way through shyness. It's our responsibility as human beings to share with others. Being shy and withdrawn is selfish."---Michael Douglas So my reply was: What’s wrong with being quiet? I think that true confidence shines in a person’s ability to sit comfortably in solitude. Being reserved is not selfish, it’s smart. Demanding that others reveal their inner workings, now THAT is selfish. So why must I share? Why must I open up to those who don’t care? You see, this is why I don’t play piano for people. My mom always tries to make me play for our guests and each time I refuse because what comes out on those keys is personal. It’s my emotional vomit. Why do I need to share it? You say it’s “our responsibility” to be an open book? How can this be when nobody reads anymore? I’ll give you my coat if you’re cold, my food if you’re hungry, my money if you’re broke. But why must I give you my soul? Don’t you have your own? Should I write something a little less serious? Is there anything that absolutely needs to change? Should I be embarrassed to read it? I dont want people to think i'm some depressed, agnst ridden teenager haha. Gah. I just don't know. Thanks for reading
It's true, and it's good.... but it doesn't sound like something a shy, withdrawn person would say in class.
I agree with the original quote to some extent. I do not think it is necessarily saying that being this sort of selfish is a bad thing... Your response, for instance, is very selfish. It's about you and what you want. Not a thing wrong with that but still selfish. Whatever you say, make sure to do it very quietly for the lols.
Read it if you dont care what people think of you, If you still give a shit how people see you or think what they think of you then I wouldnt read something so personal/serious. Just my opinion.
By the way, you at W/W or UNCA? I've got friends in AVL who actually hit me up this morning and told me to get my butt back down there.
Thanks for the replies I'm going to think about it, I'm not sure if I would like to reveal that much about myself. But I might. Rutz, I'm actually getting my college transfer degree at McDowell Tech (about a half hour away). But I'm planning on going to UNCA in the next year or so.
I mean there are different people in this world. But what confuses me about what you are saying is that you posted this on a internet forumn. So...I suppose in a way you are giving your soul to people on this forumn and everyone who reads it. I agree with what you are saying...and I dont at the same time... It just seems a little contradicting. Im sorry if that sounds rude. I just question everything. Im just confused by it. ?_?
I see what you're saying. But I'm anonymous on here, so I feel safer? Haha and i was planning on editing it out in a few days. I really like writing and i normally feel good about what I write, but now that there was this added threat of reading it aloud....I kinda just didn't know where to go. And I think I should have mentioned that I am quiet and withdrawn about my emotions, and that I don't make small talk quite easily. That being said, I can somehow manage to voice my opinions (even if my heart is racing and my stomach is flipping haha) But yea, it is a little contradicting
tis fine, and a fine point. perhaps just tone it down a little bit, or if you still feel self-conscious about it, pre-phrase with "this may sound a little rant-y but this is what I wanted to write at the time.." I doubt 9 out of 10 people will find it a weird opinion at all. enjoy! who knows.. you may have a positive experience by unloading such personal honesty
To the OP, I think that your reply is very thoughtful and a intelligent response. It makes sense, and I feel the same way. I am not shy but I am a quiet person. I am very secretive, but I like that, it's me . I just don't like sharing personal information with other people. I like to keep to myself.
what i wanted to say has already been said by another poster. just a question though : what makes u think that people who want u to open up/share don't really care? I think by essence they actually do care about u and what u have to offer the world, no?
The quote never mentions being quiet, It is about shyness. Shyness means, bashful, easily frightened away, timid, suspicious, distrustful, reluctant, wary. This in no way evokes the though of confidence. Confidence is about trust, reliability, and believing in ones abilities. Its easy to feel self confident if you are the only one who you have responsibility for. Add one more person to the equation and that's when shyness becomes a problem. Confidence is lost. Being reserved is the very definition of being selfish, in this instance. Your meaning of reserved is to keep only for yourself, as you stated you will not even play music for your mother or guests, I'm assuming you reserve all of your energy for yourself, which is again, the definition of selfish. Yes being reserved can be smart. There is a time and place for everything. But when you see no reason to share because you you distrust or are fearful, you are being shy, not reserved. I get the impression that you distrust others because you say that people don't care. Well it seems that your mother cares enough for you that she wants you to open up to her and sees that other guests may want to get to experience you too. Also Douglas's quote never mentions demanding others reveal their inner workings, only that they share. Sharing is done proportionality where you decide what and when to share. Shyness was holding back Douglas's ability to share, and maybe even causing him to act selfishly. He mentions having to work and fight with shyness to finally overcome and share. So his reservations were not a choice. You seem to think that your reservations are a choice, even though you wonder why you should open up to those who don't care. That is letting your perception of what you believe another person wants to dictate your choices. Again Douglas never says we need to be open books. When he says "'our responsibility' as human beings to share with others." He is talking about how sharing is fully in the control of the individual. Sharing of ones self can never be demanded, its a choice. He is talking about overcoming personal conflicts with our preconceived notions of ourselves and others. He is talking about getting past mental setbacks, becoming truly confident, and making a choice to interact despite unintentional shyness, and unintentional reservation. I hope this helps you decided. Good luck in class. If you read exactly what you wrote out loud, that would definitely be a good example of sharing, and confidence.
there is nothing in the universe more weird then theater classes themselves. maybe because that's what it takes. that much i don't know. but i've known people who have taken them, and yah, i wouldn't recomend that career for anyone who didn't have brass balls and a damd near total immunity to embarrassment.
