Viole(n)t Cat ([personal profile] violent_cat) wrote in [personal profile] guardians_song 2013-07-08 01:15 pm (UTC)

being really enthusiastic about doing something and yet never quite showing up to do the work is ranked as higher than thoroughly not giving a damn about something and performing the required tasks regardless
My initial reaction: 'THE WHAT? O.o' But then I remembered that, yes, there are people who would agree with that statement.
What you're saying here is both very important AND very obvious for me.

I place the blame both on liberal self-help culture, which insists that you should only do the things you're happy about doing (or you'll become a mindless, joyless drone, if you're not one already)
Well, it IS true, that IDK, doing the same thing one hates over and over again, threatens to make that person 'mindless, joyless drone', but I think people tend to overuse beliefs and ideals for their own benefit. In this case they have a 'perfect explanation' for doing only 'interesting' things.

and conservative moral-purity culture, which insists that you should be always overjoyed about whatever you're doing (or you'll become an entitled, selfish brat, if you're not one already).
Yes, 'work = sacrifice, sacrifice = salavation, salvation = reason to be happy; so you have no right to complain when you're tired or/and fed up'. That attitude, on the other hand, doesn't give anyone right to explain themselves at all, which is another extreme.

yes, sometimes you can and should do things that in no way make you happy!
Yes, and it's better, if people know that and get used to that.

people are also often lectured about how they have no right to feel unhappy over criticism and/or their own poor performance, and how they should just be delighted to be corrected
Thankfully, I was never taught that. Or maybe I was, but refused to accept it. Anyway, I believe criticism can be really helpful (until it's not used as a way of attacking others), and I do feel grateful towards people who show me my mistakes (in other words: who TEACH me), but blaming myself (which does hurt) for the failures just can't be pleasant.

these attitudes are screwed-up and dangerous
And not only for you.

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