Let me be clear from the outset that this is only a hypothesis.
What if, behind the scenes of politics, art, religion, psychology, and sociology, there is some fundamental struggle between two opposing forces? I wind up seeing things this way even when I’m not trying to. A favorite movie of mine, Donnie Darko, has a motivational speaker who preaches on the dichotomy of love and fear. He was one of the bad guys. I didn’t like him and don’t much like the real life people he represents, but I think I like his idea (minus the hypocrisy and arrogance).
It seems that in every area of life where people find meaning and get excited there are those who are trying to prove themselves and there are those who are already comfortable, the nervous and the confident. How that plays out in the world of politics or religion or art or relationships may vary, but it seems that most people are operating with one of two background stories. Either the one that begins in confusion and fear, builds with nervous activity, and ends in worry or the one that begins with strength, builds with love, and ends in confidence.
This comes as a surprise to me because I was brought up to believe that everyone started out with the bad story and then some switched over. I still believe that a person can change stories, but I’m pleasantly puzzled by those who somehow start off healthy.
