sleep

Sleep is necessary for everyone. A good night's rest can recharge a person to prepare them for the following day's activities. A lack of sleep can hinder every action that a person may need or want to do. We are all taught these truths from a young age, but are they true? Is it sleep that has an effect on us, or is it all in our heads? Since we are taught so much about sleep from such a young age, do we allow those "truths" to manipulate our body?

Let's say it really is the sleep that messes with our body. In that case, the amount of sleep that we allow ourselves to get is vital. Scientists have suggested that eight hours of sleep every night is the best. Some people are able to function on less without feeling any negative effects; however, some feel that eight hours is not enough to perform everyday functions. Regardless of how much sleep someone needs to function properly, a lack of sleep will mess with anyone. We have all pulled an all-nighter only to regret it immensely later that day. But, as weird as it may sound, too much sleep can do the same thing. But we already knew this, right? We have known it since we can remember, but what if that is our problem?

What if it is our mind that messes with our body by using sleep as a nice cover up. Since we all know that our parents have told us that a good night's sleep is necessary, we accept it as a universal truth. But what if the way we feel after sleep is manipulated by our minds and what we have always been told? If we know we are only going to get five hours of sleep, we expect ourselves to feel awful upon waking; what if this is the true reason for our disposition? Perhaps we need to stay neutral when it comes to sleep in order to make the most of what we have instead of expecting a certain outcome.

Currently listening to The Beatles and TLC.

sex

How come sex dominates everything we as humans do? Perhaps it is because of instincts of our long past prehistoric ancestors that needed motivation to further the species; it could be due to the fact that sex appeals to the inhibitions people normally hold back.

If it is because of instincts, those feelings towards sex are embedded in us. We are unable to alter them. Look at some animals, they use sex as only a means of reproduction and not a combination of pleasure and reproduction. When animals mate, it is seen as natural order but not so much in humans. Is it the dynamic of pleasure that changes it for humans? We need to reproduce to spread just as much as other animals, yet society tries to undermine the significance sex has in our lives. It tries to say certain rituals or habits, like masturbation and fetishes, are taboo and socially unacceptable for people to indulge in. Is this our general way of trying to make sex merely a means of reproduction? Perhaps but what if the negative attitudes of sex is why we are entranced by it?

Even though sex is quite prevalent in the media, most Americans are outraged by the exposure. Maybe this backlash has had some effect on the appeal sex has. Humans are generally drawn to items they can't have, and if sex is extremely controversial and that controversy is seen, then doesn't the negative attitudes toward sex make it more desirable? If this is so, then would the silencing of anti-sex protesters make sex less wanted? Doubtful, because then humans would have an unbridled public image of sex and the pleasure that accompanies it.

Currently listening to The White Stripes and Modest Mouse.

control

How is it that the littlest things usually change the way we feel the most? The minute details seem to have the biggest impact on out course of actions. If someone offers a compliment, you run on a slight high from those few simple words. A person's bitter tone can ruin a whole day. The littlest things seem to matter the most to humans, but why is this?

Perhaps it is because humans tend to focus on the here and now, which is defined moment by moment. Trying to make the most of the present, the details are what we focus on instead of the big picture. Seeing where you will be in ten years is hard no matter who you are, but hearing someone insult your shoes is quite clear. As I have observed in my life, even if something isn't aimed at you directly, another person's disposition can really alter your own.

It's amazing how we let other people affect us; however, humans are generally social beings that interact with others everyday. Letting others get the best of us might be due to this simple fact, but if this is true, why don't we learn from our past? It may be human nature, or we could just have our defenses down at the wrong times. Whatever the reason, we continue to be altered by others, and often it can have an impact on our everyday lives. Sadly, we as humans will probably not solve this downfall despite its grave consequences.

Currently listening to Gym Class Heroes, No Doubt, and Foo Fighters.