Witty Wordsmiths 100

“Follow your inner moonlight; don't hide the madness.”

~ Allen Ginsberg

As you have probably guessed, I love quotations. Pithy and dripping with wisdom, affirmation, or sentiment, quotations allow us to make sense of the world, validate prior held beliefs or grasp a new morsel of truth, or provide us with a snapshot of a contrary point of view; however, when quotations are taken as absolutes and without considering context, situation, and choice they can become as dangerous as they are helpful. 
     This quotation, although appearing harmless, is one, when taken as an absolute, can prove unproductive and damaging. How, you may ask? Unless a person is able to compartmentalize their lives (friends, family, career, personal lives, etc.), behaving with this slogan as your guiding force can create numerous problems for yourself, especially if you are not a confident, self-esteemed-blessed person. No matter what anyone preaches, we all care what others think of us; the ones who claim they don't and live like they don't just have the confidence and self-esteem to live in such a manner, such as ostracizing other people in their lives and possibly living more alone than actually intended. 

     I believe we should all “follow our moonlight” and let our “madness” show, but just as everything else in life context, situation, and choice play a major role when and where to let this side of ourselves shine.