TWENTYSOMETHING by Ishi Dinim

Pain brings us into the world, just ask mothers, and it is felt when people leave it. Life is hard, there are not enough painkillers, or airbags, or risk managers to prevent this inevitability. All levels of humanity share this most universal experience. We learn a great deal from suffering: from love’s broken hearts, that touching fire burns, and grief to stories of others’ hardships. I believe that this bond between us should logically lead humanity towards greater empathy, compassion, and kindness. Why then, do so many people consciously bring agony upon others?
There are individuals so miserable with themselves that they decide to turn school zones into war zones. I can’t think of a more unfathomable decision than wanting to turn a place of sharing and learning into a place of bloodshed. This happens both on macro, and micro levels: smart bomb, katushya rocket, artillery shell, or school shooting. The violence that occurs in these places doesn’t intrinsically change them from places of sharing and learning, if the premise of learning from pain can be accepted: compost continues to bring life to a garden.
I am not sure if I want to know what brings a person to kill strangers and themselves. There are things in our lives that seem simply irreconcilable at times, and still we find ways to negotiate those very difficult parts, and reach acceptance of our plight. We have an innate desire to share and express, but we can be so disconnected that we can’t talk about the heart of a matter, or even get to it, and that is when terrible things can happen. Maybe schools, symbolic in their openness, seem like the target for a stifled jealous mind?
Why do different people reach different conclusions given the same information? Two people experience similar traumas and one perpetuates their experience while the next person may not. I’ve heard explanations on the cyclical nature of abuse. Some abusers come from within that cycle, while others come from without. And then, quite wonderfully, some abused people can break that cycle altogether, with determination and honesty.
If you can’t be honest with someone else at least be honest with yourself. The truth hurts sometimes, but it will be far safer than living in a lie.

Quotes:
It takes all kinds of people to make the world. – Kilgore Trout

Thank you plants and animals.
– Child’s mealtime prayer
Films:
• Mondo Magic
• The Cabin Movie

Ishi graduated from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in 2001, with a BFA major in photography. He makes films, collects cacti, and ponders many things. Currently he is trying to figure out what to do with the rest his life. contactishi@yahoo.ca

Waiting to hear echoes back –