Magenta House

 

We are curious beings, all at once trying to be special but striving to fit in to a social cookie cutter. The difficult balance is sometimes shaky and some may fall. But those who do not worry about this balance tend to succeed in extraordinary ways. These are the people who are remembered. The ones who paint their house magenta for all the world to see. 

      While driving down a cozy lane in a country town, with quaint homes, open hearths and creaky rocking chairs swaying in the breeze, I often wonder why the pallet of human kind is so very limited. In the typical modern neighborhood, color is often subtle and likely to sooth rather than surprise. But isn't this boring? Why is it we find it necessary to blend in and feel comfortable? Whoever said we had to be so very neutral? And those who dare are judged.

      Those who have the courage to stand beside their brilliantly colored house would stand alone. Their rainbow palace would shine among their fellow, quieter cousins. The house would be mocked, yet some would admire the flare which it would bare. Some would be disgusted at the colorful spectacle, and others jealous at the nerve to paint it with such bold strokes. With the courage to stand out must come the ability to accept harsh criticism and ignore unfair judgement. 

      But what if our typical neighborhood transformed itself into bright hues of magenta and canary yellow set against violet and bursting orange? There would be color everywhere in the world. It may not be calming, but who wants to be calm when life is exciting? Our society is set into the dull tones of what it has become accustomed. A wave of change would spray adventure on the sands of our culture.

     By nature, we are creatures of habit. We fall into patterns and sometimes never escape their grasps. It is in our mindset to blend in. But I say, stand out. Be who you are, not who you, or others, feel you should be. Hold true to yourself. Paint your house magenta and live in it.