Dreaming of Sisyphus

Each of us is bestowed with a number of negative qualities. Additionally, throughout life, many of these negative qualities are battled against. Some of the fighting is done by the self and other fighting is led by others. For instance, every day many of us brush our teeth. In this case, the individual has taught oneself to continuously wage war against the forces of tooth decay. In other situations, like when parents or significant others nag someone to exercise or take out the trash, an outside force must be the conscience.

These battles of “maintenance” come in many forms. Many study to stay sharp and informed. Others exercise to look fit and live longer. Many of us worry about our character and spirituality and try each day to a better person. Additionally, others also worry about this fight as well. Friends, family and lovers tell us when we are not living up to their standards. They nag us.

These battles are not actually “maintenance’, but are instead a slow decaying unstable equilibrium (if you would like learn more about this topic, please see February’s “Stable and Unstable Equilibriums”). We hope for “maintenance”, but each of these battles will eventually be lost. Sooner or later, our teeth decay, we stop exercising and we stop worrying about our human character until we become crippled, denture wearing grumpy seniors. Sisyphus has us beat as he has the will and ability to push the boulder forever.

Why each of us does this for ourselves is not very surprising. We like to fight the inevitable. That is what makes a great human beings. Fighting quixotically is noble, moral and romantic. Ironically, this crazy quest makes us sane, fulfilled and gives us purpose.

What is more peculiar is why others fight these battles for a given person. It is understandable that parents would fight these battles at first for their children. Nagging a child to perform “maintenance” is done in hope that the child will start doing it himself. Eventually, many kids do brush their teeth, do their homework and think of other’s feelings all by themselves. Temporary action can, on occasion, lead to perpetual action.

Later is life though, people are much less likely to change (see December’s “Change (Or Lack Thereof) Revisited”). None-the-less, spouses and significant others still attempt to get each other into the act of “maintenance”. Curiously, even when many fights have little to no chance of being taken over by the individual, outside forces still press on. Some spend years trying to get the fat to exercise, the depressed to be happy and the uncultured to be cultured. Some even try to keep vegetables like the Pope or Shiavo alive.

Yes, nagging goes on. People believe that by forcing someone into a never-ending battle for a temporary period that they will fight the never-ending battle on their own. What they do not see is that nagging itself is another never-ending war. People rarely perpetuate action on their own unless they are innately inclined to do that action or they are taught at a young age to do that action. It is a tall order to get people to do something continuously for the rest of their life especially when it is a losing battle. It is something to keep in mind when choosing companions.