You Are a Walking Contradiction

           Seriously, I don't mean to insult you, but everyone I've ever met is in one way or another a walking contradiction. And this is not a bad thing. Similar to almost everything else in life, everyone falls somewhere on a broad spectrum: I know people who are basically the physical embodiment of irony and others whose personalities seem to be 99% consistent. It's such an interesting part of being human-- to have two integral parts of your personality and preferences be totally contradictory and even oxymoronic. 
           Maybe an example or two will help explain what I mean. Some people thoroughly enjoy the outdoors, nature and hiking and all, but are very mechanically or technologically inclined. Others long for a sense of community and a place to belong, but don't really like being around people that much. I think everyone at some point wants to stand out enough to be noticed and different, but fit in enough not to be considered the weird kid. But as I get older and have met more people I've begun to realize that not caring what other people think about you is one of the world's best stress relievers. Anyways, my point is that everyone has these strange little quirks that contradict each other, but work.
           Personally, I see these in myself all the time and can't help but wonder how my mind doesn't beat itself to death because of the way it disagrees. I will sit still through a two-and-a-half hour opera, anxiously anticipating each new part of the story and each beautiful musical aria, but I get fidgety as all get out and can't wait for the end of an 90 minute movie (it depends on the movie, but for the most part this is true). I am a city girl at heart, yet I know the words to every Top 20 country song from 1999 to the present. I chose to commute to college, but I hate driving. I am one of the most literal people on the planet, but my use of the word "like" rivals that of a Valley Girl (okay, maybe it's not that bad, but I catch myself using it more than I should). 
           That turned out a bit more autobiographical than I had originally planned, but I suppose you got a glimpse of the specific examples that puzzle my brain. Additionally, although it may be a stretch, when you dig a bit deeper, I think some of these blatant contradictions actually work well together and are even sprung from the same desire. The desire to be respected drives people to try their hardest, but not look like they're trying too hard. The desire to have control of one's life can actually cause out of control reactions; for example, life happens and someone loses a relative or a job. They feel like they have no control, so they turn to over-exercising, or reckless behavior, or calorie-counting because it is something they can control. Same desire, contradictory behaviors. I could probably come up with more examples, or try to verbalize some other related thought, but I think I shall leave you with this: You are a walking contradiction. Embrace it. Embrace everything that makes you, you. Even if we can't figure out how it works, embrace the contradictions.