The Childish Id

Several times now I have reverted to explaining my opinions with children's behavior.  There is a simple reason for this.  Children are the raw form of who we are.  Society hasn't taught them who to be or what to say, they haven't grasped the use of appropriate behavior, and are most often centrally focused.  What I mean by this, is they represent, in full, the Id mentalities.  Me me me, I want I want I want.  And believe it or not, this is a beautiful thing because it helps us understand who we are fighting to mask deep down, and more importantly, who we are fighting not to be in the stressful times.

I have found in the stressed times, we cling to that psychological "Id" that calls for us to give in to impulses and the self-focused feelings.  When we are stressed, we don't center ourselves on practiced politeness, but instead instinctually cling to selfishness.  If there is ever a time that can uproot us in our quest for success or self-esteem, it is in the emotional and stressful times.  

Let me give you an example.  In my junior year of high school we moved to a pretty big house.  It had a glorious 4 bathrooms, which meant that each person living in the house could have a designated bathroom.  Mine was centrally located, but out of the general living area.  Time and time again I would go to my bathroom to be met by the foul smelling odor of feces.  Groaning, I would shut the door and walk away or hold my breath and quickly retrieve the item I was searching for.  One day, I was irritated about something and turned to enter my bathroom to be met by the ritualistic smell of poop.  I responded by yelling, "And why does everyone always poop in MY bathroom?"  I was met by a loud eruption of laughter.  I never lived that down.  To this day it is a running joke that everyone only uses my bathroom to poop.  My point is that in my fit of frustration I reverted to thinking like a five-year-old and sounding ridiculous.  

I am sure you have plenty of stories of sounding like a child in your greatest moments of frustration.  There is no way to rid yourself entirely of the childish instinct.  You can get better at hiding it with practice and the more you practice, the better you get.  The true reality of the situation is knowing that thinking childish at times is a weakness everyone struggles with, but that doesn't mean you don't have to learn to manage it.  One of the best things you can do for yourself is understand when you are of stable or childish mind.  It is this self-awareness that you should rely on when determining whether or not you are fit to make a big decision.  Only make big decisions in moments of stability, not on the waves of emotionality. This will help you become consistent and reliable to others, but most importantly to yourself.  Consistency will keep you grounded, focused, and striving.  And that is the person I am striving to be.  

"A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterward." -Proverbs 29:11