Sometimes, I feel like there is a collection of phrases that serve as perfect examples of real-life cookie-cutter dialogue. In movies, some phrases we associate with the melodramatic Hollywood productions are phrases such as, "I don't know what you're talking about," or, "Nothing is impossible when you put your mind to it, son." When we watch those movies, we can't help but cringe, thinking, "I've heard this a million times. Either say something different or say the same thing but in a different way and with a different perspective." Well, that perfectly applies to numerous phrases that we've heard in the past couple of decades, whether they are specific sentences or phrases or variations of a single message that we've heard a million times that simply don't apply in every context. Here are a few examples:
"You can't make it anywhere without working hard."
Hard work is a value that I hold to quite an elevated degree, but then, again, I just can't immediately dismiss someone with honest doubts about whether the hard work they are committing to will actually pay off or even choose an easier or less tumultuous route. I, personally, I've been witness to a significant amount of individuals who truly put forth an honest, complete effort in their pursuits, and the aspect of hard work that I'm specifically referring to in this piece is professionalism. Sometimes, I can't shift the blame onto the person simply because their hard work wasn't performed exactly, right. When I have a conversation with an individual, (yes, even a millennial), who attends college, works one or two jobs, and tries to balance other aspects of life that they choose to pursue, and these aspects of life are items that they want, and they reveal that the stressful amount of work is somewhat wearing them down, I feel sympathy for the person. With the way the world is changing as compared to the ultimate briefness of a single person's life, I can understand why they might feel that their hard work can feel like the weight of the world on his or her shoulders.
"Quit complaining about your issues and do something about them."
First of all, there exists a healthy practice commonly referred to as venting. With regards to venting, a person is able to vocalize some of the occurrences or thoughts in their daily life that perturb them, and exactly why they have this effect on them. I've heard people complain about how they can't stand when their friend or relative tends to express their emotions to them. Well, quit complaining about your friend that vents to you, and fix it by either A. Tell them you don't want to hear their problems or B. Seize association with them. You're not entitled to the people you interact with to comport themselves in a particular manner that you would find less stressful in the same way that you are not obliged to remain their friend. Sometimes, people vent their emotions and problems not because they're looking for a solution or a change, but just because life isn't perfect, and they just need time to vocalize the things that disturb them.
"Life's not fair."
The motherload of all annoying sayings. In the struggles of life, people may strive for greatness or extensive luxury, but ultimately, the first goal is to ensure that they have access to the things that they need, whether this strive is motivated by a person taking care of themselves or motivated by a family that they need. Life isn't fair? No kidding. Anyone can learn this lesson of life by simply growing up in the world that we inhabit. But when someone is vocalizing an opposition towards an action that disparages them, then it's probably something substantial enough that fairness is a quality that is reasonable to desire. If my friend and I attend class at two different colleges, we both wake up, get ready, and leave to go to class at the same time, however, the route to my destination is awful because of a myriad of variables and I'm late, however, my friend's route is smooth and he makes it fifteen minutes early, that's an example of life not being fair, but I don't vocalize that because I understand it. No one has to explain to me that the reason my friend made it to class on time and I didn't despite leaving at the exact same time is because life's not fair. But, sometimes, people take actions that benefit them and infringe on your personal life and access to resources, and you vocalize that this is unfair, and when someone says, Life's not fair, you respond in your head, "Yeah, life's not fair, but this person/people that screwed me over aren't life."
Yes, this is but three choices, but you get the point. Sometimes, especially for younger people anywhere from five to fifteen years old, these statements have a place. When a child doesn't understand why he or she has to do his homework every night but Mommy and Daddy don't, they need to be explained to that hard work is an important value, and the form it comes in changes over time. Sometimes, you are annoyed by people expressing their emotions and vocalizing their issues because the same people will not you express your own emotions or issues. For children or teenagers, because their natural-born egocentrism only dwindles over time, they often need to be explained to that life is an inanimate entity that doesn't perform to the needs and desires of every person. But, sometimes, the basic facts of life just need to be explained in a more elaborate, sympathetic, and different manner.
