Obsessive habits
February 16, 2011
I wanted to write about an issue that plagues many; a problem known as obsession. I am not talking about the kind of obsession that involves constant thoughts of someone of the opposite gender with attempted actions to get closer to that person…that’s called stalking.
But, if that is what you were hoping my column was going to cover, I suppose I could give you a few tips. Guys: Never ask out girls through Facebook, text messaging or letters ending with “I’m going to find you - Love, secret admirer” (If you are really desperate, I’ll grant you permission to use Myspace – it’s full of cyber people anyways).
Also, don’t call a girl when you know you are going to chicken out anyways…all she will hear is heavy breathing as you desperately search for your inhaler or courage ending in an undesired effect on both ends of the phone (Man up, or hang up).
Girls: don’t memorize your ex-boyfriend’s schedule so you can casually “happen to be there too.” If this you, you’re homework is to watch “Fatal Attraction” and “Vanilla Sky” – so you can understand why that sort of thing scares the living daylights out of men.
Also, it’s not okay to look through your boyfriend’s cell phone. I’ve heard of a lot of relationship-ending drama because of this. Just remember, in order for someone to trust you, you must place your trust in them first.
Now, let’s venture back to the other kind of obsession I was originally thinking of. Many people struggle with time management because of a certain itch they have to scratch.
Usually, these things are monotonous and have no life time value.
Yes, this includes you Farmville farmers, hourly Facebook browsers (stalkers), workaholics, fitness mad men, tweetin’ tweeters, television marathon watchers, constant picture takers, “Gleeks,” Call of Duty specialists and fanny pack wearing men.
Alright, you caught me – I can’t think of a time I’ve ever met a guy obsessed with wearing fanny packs. Oh, how interesting that would be. My point is that everyone has some habit or activity that they throw time into like quarters in a gumball machine. For me, my first obsession began at the age of four.
For three years I was obsessed with the original Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, a show about six teenagers who can transform into powerful multicolored protectors of earth using the strength of prehistoric dinosaurs. Needless to say, it was based on a true story.
I should know, considering I received two of the costumes on my sixth Christmas. Rain or shine, new or rerun, you could bet your bottom dollar I was watching Power Rangers every weekday at four o’clock.
I can remember crying when my mom would tell me she had to run a few errands after picking me up from school – meaning no “morphin’ time.”
I remember running baths just to wage war between Batman and Power Ranger action figures until the water became unbearably cold. Then at the age of eight, something crazy happened.
I was slowly growing out of Power Rangers and became involved with things such as baseball and other games with neighborhood friends.
My limitless imagination became limited and I could no longer believe the possibility that a Power Ranger could exist in real life.
By reading this column so far you may very well be thinking I have a scattered brain with no specific point to share this week.
You may have a point, however, there are a few key points that I intended to convey that I will emphasize now. The first should go without saying: stalking is not cool. In regards to the Power Rangers story in comparison to obsession, allow me to say this.
As a five-year-old kid, Power Rangers was much more than a television show; it was a medium that allowed me to stretch my imagination to imagine the unimaginable, and dream of possibility.
Of course it would be obtuse for me to still believe I could become a Power Ranger and summon dinosaur machines to protect earth. As a 21-year-old college student I should be able to deduce what is reality from fiction and wishful thinking.
However, looking back on those early years I feel as though I’ve diminished in great value of a mindset that sees beyond what is in front of his face and out of the realm of pure logic.
All the wonders of the world and mystery of God have been placed in front of us to discover and witness, and honestly, I am afraid that I will never see them or miss it due to a clouded and closed mind.
Forget the Power Rangers analogy and think of your own obsession(s) and how they fit into your life. Are they meaningful and challenging?
Or is it just a small fragment of your time and mind that doesn’t define who you are? If you feel as though I am saying life is meaningless and we need to choose our last few days wisely, please understand that is not the case at all.
All I am saying is that it would be for shame if we as humans (as Christians) abandoned the notion that “anything is possible” and settled for a coasted drive following normality.
