The dictionary defines “shocking” as “causing intense surprise, disgust, horror, etc.” or “very bad.” Really? Shocking is negative? I mean, I get it: with things like shocking statistics, shock and awe, and shock collar the word “shock” doesn’t necessarily yield a positive, welcoming connotation. Notably, if I were to choose one emoji to best embody “shock,” it would be this one…
Not very welcoming, huh?
And, while I definitely don’t want to undergo shock therapy as a consequence of manipulating this adjective’s definition, I would like to explore “shocking’s” positive,[1] less embraced implications. Pointedly, with a rosy-hued crayon sitting in my Crayola box named “shocking pink,” how bad can “shocking” really be?
If we are defining “shocking” as “causing intense surprise,” then here are a few recent things I find shocking:
I am shocked that Taylor Swift has not yet written a song about Calvin Harris[2].
I am shocked that Cam did not know I was getting him a record player for Christmas after 1) I almost blew my cover asking him, out of nowhere, “who is your favorite band…” and 2) him opening a Hallmark ornament of a record player from my mom three days before my arrival to his house (and subsequent bestowing of said gift). I’m glad (read shocked) that while opening this item he thought: “ random, but COOL!” and not “Katie is getting me a record player for Christmas!” while trying to make sense of this nicely themed tie-in.
I am shocked that Ohio Sate let running back Ezekiel Elliot play (and go on to score four touchdowns) in the Fiesta Bowl against the Fighting Irish after driving on a suspended license and failing to have control of his vehicle after a traffic accident[3]. Scummy move. I’m take it back: I’m not shocked at all.
I am shocked that, at the time I am writing this post, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has domestically grossed $781,141,043[4]. And, I am shocked that by the time I write my next post, that number will undoubtedly have further exploded.
I am shocked by the horrible, unentertaining programming of both “NBC New Years Eve with Carson Daly” and “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve[5].” Really, Jenny McCarthy is the best we can muster for beckoning in the New Year? Notably, I am not shocked that I didn’t feel bad for sitting on the couch in my pjs with Cam and his entire family while the rest of world either stood freezing in Time Square, pushed up against one another like drunken livestock (blissfully unaware they were probably being groped) or popping champagne bottles in a glitzy, sparkly dress they are sloppily spilling out of after inevitably indulging in three weeks of Christmas cookies. Clearly, I made the right choice.
I am shocked that the Houks bought a cottage in Lakeside and were able to keep it secret from me for four months! I would have totally spilled the beans. Nothing describes “shock” more perfectly than getting in a car for two and half hours under the guise you were driving to Lake Eire to check out the “winter version” of summer vacation and then pulling up to a random lake house with the announcement that “this is where we are staying for the summer. And for every summer after that.” Love me some SHOCK! Long live “Blue Skies.”
I am shocked that the 23 year-old Notre Dame grads I live with don’t seem to know that, like Santa Claus, the “trash fairy” is also a nonentity, and she will subsequently not take out the heap of garbage that is accumulating, despite (or perhaps in spite of) your continued denial.
I am shocked that I currently see snow in Tucson but did not encounter it in the Midwest over break. There is something inherently wrong with this. On a related note, I am shocked that my mom and I both drove home to 40° weather Thursday night. Excuse me?
However, why stop there? In the spirit of the New Year, let’s not limit ourselves based on what we have done in the past. In fact, don’t we all need to “shock” ourselves into action— whether it be at the cusp of the New Year or at any other designated time— every once in a while? Don’t we all need— no crave— a shock, a change, a violently healthy shake and slap in the face now and then? In fact, where would we be without these shocks, without these opportunities for growth and development? I’m pretty sure we would look something like this…
No, we need shocks in our lives in order to hold ourselves accountable as human beings. This is not a new idea, and wise individuals before us have wholly embraced this idea and cultivated it as an inspired, intentional way of living. Take Thoreau, for example: That man certainly wanted a shock! In fact, he wanted a shock so badly that he secluded himself to Walden Pond and articulated,
“I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.”
Thoreau intentionally took a step back from his fast-paced existence to look inward and determine how to best make life meaningful and fulfilling. Mind blown. That is certainly a slap-in-the-face shocking call to action for introspection self-improvement if I’ve ever seen one.
And, if Thoreau wasn’t hipster enough, Whitman studied and sought shock before him (and before it was even cool). Indeed, Whitman explored this phenomenon fully in his “Leaves of Grass.” How was Whitman not shocked when he wrote:
Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here—that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.
And you may contribute a verse. SHOCK ALERT![6]
Despite preexisting misconceptions, we all need a good, healthy dose of “shock” in our lives. Embrace change, discomfort, and “shock” to the fullest and appreciate the growth it yields in addition to the miraculous ways it allows us to persevere, despite our shortcomings and ignorance.
What should you declare as your New Year’s Resolution of 2016? Put a little “shocking pink” color in your cheeks, get up off that couch, and LIVE. What will your verse be?
This post is brought to you courtesy of Christine Houk. You picked a random color, and I ran with it. Thank you!
[1] How very PC of me. Don’t marginalize, kids.
[2] I give it a month.
[3] I’m sorry…what?
[4] Confession: I’m so shocked that I’m not even sure I know how to say this number… It’s that big.
[5] Don’t even get me started on Pitbull’s Miami show. DALE!
[6] My spidey senses and literary nerdiness are tingling!
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