It’s a strange thing, that the idea of being “too cool” at school also exists in the adult world. It seems that enthusiasm is juvenile or somehow not classy. The “cool” thing to do is to be distant – to act as though you’ve seen it all before, and you have strong opinions on everything around you.

Photo: "she wanna be a supermodel IV" by ashraful kadir
We see this easily in magazines. Models pose with blank, unsmiling or even haughty faces. Celebrities breeze through events composed; pouty; disdainful.
Why? Why must we ignore the beautiful, haphazard world of ours and instead be "above" it?
In this one short life of ours, I believe we should be throwing ourselves in with reckless abandon. Be keen. Be excited. Be genuine. Throw yourself into life. Take risks. Take the risk of taking things seriously. Take the risk of believing. Take the risk of putting yourself on the line for something new.

Photo: "water fun" by afu007
Distance is easy. Distance is safe.
To paraphrase Tim Minchin; “don’t just be anti-stuff, be pro-stuff.” You don’t need to define yourself by what you are opposed to. Define yourself by what you love. Be enthusiastic – be earnest. It might earn you the scorn of a few people, but it will also give you a joyful life.

Photo: "110365 Winter Fun!" by martinak15
#joy