There is also that American spirit to never give up, never say die, never stop fighting. You could drown in all the cliches, sayings, and anecdotes to this effect. I agree with this idea too, obviously. If Matt Damon can survive being stranded on Mars, why should anyone give up on anything anywhere, right?
I am confused, however, with how to reconcile these two truths. What if who you are, objectively, is not who you feel you are or who you want to be?** At what point do you have to take stock and own your limitations or failures? Isn't that an act of surrender? Is it ever okay to give up? If so, when does giving up stop becoming a sign of weakness or cowardice? And if not, is the virtue of being so brave worth being ignorant of a practical self-awareness?
I realize specifics would give more teeth to my dilemma. I feel that specifics, however, would steer an innocent, open question into a whining call for help or, God forbid, advice. This is certainly not intended to be that. I will say there is a life I would like to live, one that I feel suited to, a simple and modest existence, which most take for granted, or suffer mid-life crises in the midst of. Life (Capital "L" variety), however, does not seem mutually interested in my plan.
What's a boy to do? Accept that this is who I am and this is the life I am meant to lead, meaningless as it may seem to me, or continue down a dead-end alley a la the marching band in "Animal House"? At this moment, the most comforting course seems to try to fool Life altogether, move to some completely new place, change my name, and take on the life of a more interesting character.
*"The Age of Worry," By John Mayer (Yes, I am quoting the eternal wisdom of John Mayer. Is there a problem?)
**I realize this sentence could easily give the impression I am enduring some kind of gender identity crisis. I assure you, this is not the case. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Well, I mean, I'm sure there is something wrong with it in that it's incredibly difficult for a person going through it, but I'm not distancing myself from the idea because I find it embarrassing in any way. There, that's settled.
