All of you of a certain age will remember all the gameshows from the early 80,s. Blockbusters, family fortunes and so on. It wasn’t evident to me at the time as I was not wise enough to identify anything other than its entertainment value.
Life back then was much simpler, with far less pressure coming from society compared to today. As I move forward through my own journey now, I find myself deeply connecting with those classic shows. Each of us brings different opinions or solutions when faced with a particular situation, highlighting the diversity of human thought. I’ve often wondered when they surveyed 100 people, whether those individuals simply said the first thing that popped into their heads or if they tried to respond with what they thought was expected of them. For instance, when asked to name something everyone knows about Cinderella, one man hesitated for a moment before shaking his head in defeat. His answer? She was homeless! It’s certainly not the typical response I would have given, but it illustrates a kind of absurdity and humour that we really need in our lives. Although it wasn’t one of the top five most common answers, his response wasn’t entirely wrong either.
I believe life today is very much like that in many ways; we tend to look at each situation through the lens of a specific set of rules or guidelines that we have internalized, and then we express our thoughts or comments in a manner that we think others expect or would appreciate. It makes me question why I would assume that my answer or opinion carries any more significance or weight compared to someone else’s perspective. After all, it is just my personal opinion and the way I interpret or perceive a particular situation. It wouldn’t be surprising at all if I were to respond to the same question differently when asked again just a few days later. This could be because the goalpost has shifted, or some new factor has emerged that changes the dynamics in the opposite direction. These changes inevitably influence how we respond or how we view and interpret any given situation over time.
The game show Blockbusters offers a unique perspective on me. People are trying to navigate in different directions, often opposite to each other. Yet, they all share the same goal, each facing obstacles along the way. We each have our own journey and should be free to follow the path we choose. We find ways to reach our destination, overcoming whatever challenges arise. The struggle begins only when we start doubting ourselves. What will people think if I arrive in a Ferrari or a moped? Who really cares? Isn’t it better to simply respect others’ choices? They don’t worry about what others think or feel the need to explain themselves. This is their journey, and who are we to judge? If we live by others’ materialistic judgments, we become bitter, resentful, and controlled by society—merely existing rather than truly living.
I can’t sign off without sharing one of the funniest answers—it always cracks me up whenever I think about it. When asked to name a famous Willy, Willy Carson immediately came to mind. To me, he seemed like the most well-known Willy. I’m sure as you read this, you’ll think of your own famous Willy.
The guy answered. Willy the poo!
Dee here