Why Living an Ignorant Life Appeals to Me

Do you ever wish you were ignorant? My emotions were in overdrive last week. It was painful, precisely why living an ignorant life appeals to me right now.

Sure, I am saying this tongue-in-cheek, but hear me out. I began my week by attending my Aunt’s wake. While there, my brother commented, “I guess we are the older generation now.”

My mother had seven siblings that were married with children. All the Quigleys (mom’s maiden name) are gone now, except Aunt Marilyn, my mom’s brother’s spouse. Hence, my brother’s comment on being the older generation now.

Living an Ignorant Life Is Tempting

How can that be? No one asked me if I wanted to be the older generation. Why did I pay attention to the conversation when my brother said that? I cannot get the thought out of my head that I am my family’s older generation. I’d say I was having a mid-life crisis; however, I am too old for that.

Thinking about this makes me feel responsible. Am I setting a good example for my nieces and nephews? Should I be imparting wisdom to them? If so, regarding what? Yes, I do actually think these things. I remember my aunts and uncles being fonts of information. If you want to know anything about plants, ask Uncle Frank. Interested in boats? Uncle Jimmy will talk your ear off. Need some etiquette advice? Aunt Jo was your go-to. Aunt Kath could fill you in on every fashion label and where to buy them on sale. What am I contributing to the family conversation?

Do You Long for Living an Ignorant Life?

Remembering these things makes me feel like a boring person. What is my claim to fame? I am an expert on breast cancer, but no one wants to discuss that at family parties. I could be known as the crazy Mets and Jets fan Aunt. Again, boring! I need to up my game now.

If I were ignorant, I could dismiss this family transition and pretend I don’t notice it. I could blissfully live my life believing I was still young and had my whole life in front of me. But it’s too late. I already heard the comment and cannot stop obsessing over it.

Being Ignorant of Getting Older

As much as I hate to admit it, the getting older part is what’s upsetting me. Even though I know it’s happening, staying ignorant is much easier. My mind still thinks I am in my late twenties, possibly early thirties which is definitely not the older generation. Yet, feeling like this keeps me young, right? This is such a confusing time.

Being ignorant all the time does not work for me. By all means, I need to be ignorant occasionally to soften some of life’s blows (like now, for instance). But I don’t want to live in a state of ignorance. I like to know what is going on around me. And I want all the “feels” that entails. Can you relate to that?

Fleeting Ignorance Works at Times

I made it to my 45th High School reunion this past weekend. It was fun! I shared many laughs with classmates reminiscing about our time at the school. I went to the mass, followed by the Ring of Honor inductions, and found both highly emotional. The priest gave a phenomenal homily, smoothly tying our reunion to the gospel. It felt so familiar. I can remember our Chaplain, Father Jim Cooney, providing timely sermons while I was at the Prep too.

The Ring of Honor Ceremony was incredible. Such amazing feats the recipients accomplished to receive their awards. It was so impressive. It made me feel so proud that I was part of a community producing such service-oriented individuals. God bless the Franciscans for teaching all of us the importance of doing good for others. I am unsure how to convey my feelings properly, but this experience impacted me greatly. I felt a complete sense of peace and belonging while enjoying these festivities. There will forever be a soft spot in my heart for St. Francis Prep and the memories I made there. I never want to be ignorant of that!

Do you know where the phrase “Ignorance is Bliss” originates from? It is from a poem written by Thomas Gray. As Jennifer Kunst from Psychology Today paraphrases it, “The poem reveals Gray’s double perspective that not only is ignorance bliss but knowledge is misery.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/headshrinkers-guide-the-galaxy/201108/is-ignorance-bliss. Jennifer writes about the bliss of childhood and how children are often protected or shielded from some of life’s misery. However, once you become an adult, that buffer is gone, and thus, you can experience misery. Please click on the link above to read her entire article.

In conclusion, are there times you wish to remain ignorant? If so, when? Do you think ignorance really is bliss? Kindly comment below and let me know.