Ignoring the Inevitable
Finding Facts Frivolous
A Loop of Unnecessary Reasoning
We live in a world of endless facts about everything. There is nothing you can think of that does not have a sea of facts attached to it. Facts on what it does and facts on what it does not do. There are facts on ingredients, where it’s from, and from what it is made.
Some of the most important facts are why one brand is superior to another. There are even facts about the facts. If we want to know the facts about something it is an easy task to accomplish.
With a couple of well-chosen words inserted into the old Google search engine and lick-a-dee-split, you are off to the races. Facts will begin to pour onto your screen like unwanted porn, but what good are all these facts when so few take heed of their importance and priceless information.
For more than forty years I smoked cigarettes, all the while knowing the dangers of smoking. I knew because each pack had a warning on the side of the label from the Surgeon General telling me how dangerous they were.
I simply did not care! Even though they made me cough a lot. Even though I knew the health risks to my heart and lungs. Even though I knew how bad cigarettes made me smell, I did it anyway.
The nicotine addiction was far greater than all the overwhelming facts against that ugly habit. I know, there is nothing worse than having to listen to an ex-smoker!
Addictions of all kinds automatically carry with them a fact-filtering mechanism allowing their existence. Knowing the facts changes nothing in the mind of someone addicted to chocolate, we are, I mean, they are helpless in the grasp of a dark chocolate fudge brownie ala mode, covered in hot fudge…
Okay! I’m back! Where were we? Oh, right, facts!
Sometimes facts just get in the way of progress, delaying an important goal. Even when people who know what they are talking about, ‘experts’, warn us of our certain doom, we turn a deaf ear.
Stop for a moment and ask yourself if you have ever said, “I don’t want to hear it!” I know I have! Because hearing the truth leads to knowing the facts which can lead to facing the truth.
What twisted psychological loop of unnecessary reasoning do these truths bring? Who wants to get caught up in an awkward bundle of facts when trying to have fun?
There are different types, shapes, and sizes of our reality as well. Like the Facts of Life, and depending on where you’re getting your information, those facts can be quite fictitious, although finding the right magazine can help.
Some facts are based on having faith, which simply means a fact is unprovable, but you should believe it anyway, such as religious gospel.
Religions are usually based on doctrines of love and peace. Ironically, many wars are about these facts regarding faith. It just seems odd to me, I guess their love and understanding for all people only extends to those who agree with them.
Some facts are labeled good or bad and deservingly so, like having a fatal disease. Although, there are times when the labeling is purely from a specific perspective. A good example is the outcome of a ball game.
If my team wins the game the fact then it was a good game, but if they lose, then the fact is bad it was a bad game. In reality, facts are neither good, bad, nor ugly, rather it was I who shaped them into a fact that I did not wish to hear. But there was also the fact that the stupid ref missed a call, allowing the other team to score and win the bloody game. (Oops! Did I write that out loud?)
Some people are serious about the facts and for good reasons. Some may remember the 1960s hit TV series “Dragnet”, and the star’s character’s name was Joe Friday.
His signature line was “Just the facts, ma’am!” when the lady he was questioning began to ramble on about a sobering idea she had about the case. For Detective Joe Friday nothing was more important than the facts.
Therefore, police take the facts pretty seriously when trying to get to the truth about a crime, as do many professions. Doctors, pharmacists, and scientists are also in the business of facts.
A fact not respected by one of these people can hurt or even kill someone rather easily. But for the average Joe Monday, facts can be and will probably always be a pain in the ass.
Ignoring certain facts can often be a survival tactic for us commoners. If we play stare-down with the financial facts of life that are before us, we usually lose.
The truth is facts can be incredibly overwhelming, especially financial actuality. The only way to not stress yourself into an early grave is to look the other way and address the reality of your financial burdens in small pieces. Even in tiny, distasteful bites, stress acts like poison and will age you at the speed of need.
Within our political party selection are the prepared facts for us all to follow. The root of our political persuasion gives us the facts and answers to any moral, ethical, and economic questions one might have.
Political facts are better known as evolving sub-facts. — No! Really, that is a fact. These are everchanging facts in the known universe pertaining to getting reelected.
The only true and factual fact on the hill is politicians lie about the facts as a general practice of doing business. They have to or no one would get elected. We do not mind too much unless the government’s lies affect us somehow. Oh, and we find out about it.
Again, facts can get in the way of lofty goals, especially when trying to attain a Capitol Hill position. Often a candidate must stretch the truth a tad when proving how ethically and morally superior he or she is to the rest of us.
There are a lot of stressful facts in my life. Of course, there are also joyous and wonderful facts making each day a blessing. Getting up each morning starts with a decision regarding the facts.
We go through life deciding whether to condemn our life of adversity or to feel blessed. The first important fact is you woke up. Being alive to face any overwhelming challenges or celebrate good fortune is a good place to start.
When all is said and done and we are about to face the final days of our life, all the important and non-important facts become nothing more than a smile or frown.
This is when we sit on the porch, drinking our drink, waving to passers-by, knowing there is only one final fact still in front of us. And it ain’t taxes!
Seemingly, important facts from days gone by wane before our very eyes as the days drift behind us; as we stare into our limited future, finding facts frivolous.
