Before I launch into commentary about new literature, I thought it would be wise not to let this one gem from Wicked go unnoticed. This quotation is taken from the thoughts of Elphaba, the famed Wicked Witch of the West. She is walking with her father, an old unionist (traditional Christian) minister and missionary.
“Elphie glanced sideways at him, and for the first time she saw him as feckless – the kind of old man that Irji, if he survived, would grow up to be. Constantly pawing at the edge of events, reacting instead of acting, mourning the past and praying for the future instead of stirring up the present.” Pg 319
This passage stopped me in my tracks. I can relate to this passage more than I care to admit. Let me explain…
I’m a 25 year old single female living in a big city. People my own age are living rather racy existances that I am too modest to adapt to, and frankly am quite often disgusted by. I will not go to bars to have drunk men hit on me, I am too self-conscious and anti-drugs to go out to dance clubs, and I am too old for the average college-crowd. This puts me on the outside of current events in Portland, at least until I have children.
Knowing all this, I accepted with pride that keeping myself up to moral code was a justifiable reason for being a bit shut out of the world. I’m now thinking that I am wrong. This quote pretty much tore down my life’s shallow existence by explaining that living outside of the world is only a good thing if I plan to have absolutely no effect on it.
It’s not news to me really, I have known this for quite some time and used to pride myself on being able to “straddle the fence,” so to speak, between Christian and modern culture. But I have become complacent as of late, and I find myself more often than not avoiding both crowds in order to sit around and lament about both of them. Everyone around me is either “too Christian” or “too immoral” and I am too of both of those to please either side. (Hopefully that made sense).
So, after having had a few good conversations with a few less complacent friends, this is what I have decided to take away from this thought provoking passage: I have to get off my ass and live a little. Yes, life is uncomfortable and life is messy, but I know I have a strong enough sense of self and rightness not to get too involved in anything too dirty. And if I have any hope whatsoever of having any impact on the world, I have to be in it.
No more complacency, no more teary-eyed nostalgic stories, or midnight prattle sessions in my room, which conveniently all end up with me explaining to God that He can do everything without my help. Of course He can, but it’s really a whole lot better for Him if I help. I also recall that it’s nice for me as well. Contributing to humanity and all is a pretty nice way to spend your day. And though I know I will still spend time reminiscing about the past, and dreaming about an easy future my plan is to do this less. And that’s a good start.
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Amorous Librarian 