the red pill

The red pill or the blue pill? October 6, 2009

Would you rather take the “red pill” or “the blue pill”?  Do you know what I mean when I ask you this? 

If you’ve even glanced at the movie “The Matrix” then you’ve probably heard this saying before.  I’ve kind of adopted it lately as my very own –  my mantra for when I’m hit square in the face by the hard cold facts in relation to someone or something,  that up until that point, I believed in.   For those of you who need clarification of the “red pill/blue pill” definition, I found this great site  and grabbed “borrowed” the following  overly simplified excerpt from it; (I’m sure the author won’t mind – the blog is more or less a philosophy essay site, and I gave him or her a link back to boot): 

‘In the Matrix, which pill would you take, the red or the blue?’  
‘The question of which pill to take illustrates the personal aspect of the decision to study philosophy. Do you live on in ignorance (and potentially bliss) or do you lead what Aristotle called ‘the examined life’…’

Whether one chooses to remain “blissfully ignorant” or chooses to lead “an examined life”, this philosophy applies to EVERYTHING we know, or think we know about something or someone, and in life for that matter. Now thinking back, I realize I’ve always instinctively KNOWN this inside-  even when awareness was only subconscious, and I was at the age when I would never admit I didn’t believe in “happily ever after” – like the storybook promised.  But especially within the last 5 years or so my life has undergone some unexpected changes.  Things that aren’t unique to me, but were still traumatic, even though other doors opened – as they always do.  And since then,  I have begun to start paying close attention to the lessons I’m learning from life and the reality of things – both big and small. I also try to listen to my intuition when it tries to warn me about something.  And I’m not always successful with that one.  

As everyone knows, most of what we are told to believe IN and ABOUT in regards to our government, our leaders, the healthcare system, religion etc. oft times doesn’t “jive” with the outcomes we hear  about or witness personally. Actions speak louder than words – a vital thing to remember.  And the intention, the truth, the HEART of a situation,  is always there to be discovered -  you just have to know how to look for it ..and you have to WANT to find it, of course.  Some people don’t. They aren’t ready to lose the blinders.  They aren’t ready for the ugly.  Some will NEVER be ready…voluntarily anyway.  But the blue pill always wears off no matter what someone does to deny the reality of something or someone -  and they end up swallowing a few red pills anyway.  It happens to all of us - whether we’re ready or not.

I was born with a trusting, friendly  and innocent nature, (even if ”innocent” no longer applies to me in other departments), and I still have it – but it’s been modified to be on the  alert. I have  become more cautious about the intentions and agendas of certain types of situations and ”systems” we deal with in our world – without becoming a negative person. I feel there’s no reason to be bitter when you are taught something you need to know – life is for learning after all, and I am grateful for the education – even if it’s painful at the time.

It’s not my intentions that this blog be confined to posts about any one red pill category or philosophy – anything is welcome here. For starters, I intend to post my “red pill” moments, and readers are welcome to contribute theirs..or comment, disagree - whatever is fine.  Some of my posts will be more on the serious side, others will probably be hysterically absurd and be bagged upon.  I thought it would be enlightening , interesting , and fun to share red pill moments, advice, news stories with whoever feels so inclined. And if nothing comes of this, it will still be another venue in which I can work out things in my heart in words – which I’ve been doing since I could first comprehend them.  

I’m a comedian at heart and up until this point, EVERYTHING I’ve attempted to write about on a serious note has instead, ended up with my photo shopping the face of Mr Hankey on the picture of some deserving public figure -  then shamelessly posting it on my blog for all the world to see.  I’m going to try to keep this one at least a bit more “grown up” and ”serious”.  Let’s see if I can do it. 

 That having been said, I’m not ruling out humor here -  it’s one of the “blue pills” I actually welcome that isn’t a liquid substance, or mind-altering – and so far it’s kept me from going postal – so it’s my saving grace.

Tomorrow I will post a couple of my poignant “red pill” moments – please feel free to contribute yours if you wish.

Till then…