I have a tendency to rant (no, really?), and there have been many, many, many, many people who have shot me disapproving looks on multiple occasions for expressing a strong and admittedly ranty view on various subjects. These disapproving glances only goad me on. And they also give me inspiration.
"Why?" I ask myself. "Why do I rant about things that upset me? Why not leave it alone? Bury it. Shut up and stay still."
"No," I answer myself. "The world needs ranters. Do you know why?"
"Why?" I ask.
And thus the almost-disturbing-in-the-fact-that-I-answered-myself-explanatory-rant was born:
I rant because I must. A rather bold statement, yes, and subject to debate. (Bring it on!) It is, however, very much the truth. If I don't rant somewhere, I will explode.
People have opinions. You do, right? Well, so do I. The fact that you agree or disagree with that statement further proves it. And, furthermore, people's opinions often and usually vary. Obviously, or we wouldn't have struggles between neighbors and nations alike.
Many opinions are publicly known. Anyone in the limelight (politicians, celebrities and authors, for example) are known for their opinions on some subject or other. In this sense, opinions are what make up the world. Do you concur? For time's sake, I'll assume we're on the same track now.
These people in the limelight are the loudest to speak out for what they respectively believe. Because of this, changes occur--not always in favor of popular opinion, mind, but the fact that well-known people are making a stand for certain issues makes these issues all the more important which allows them to be addressed by the masses. A consensus is then reached.
But what about other important issues? Important issues that aren't being addressed? Ones that matter to you but seem not to matter to those with the power to influence the masses? Well, that is what rants are for. On a small scale, speaking out helps. And even if no one else really listens, at least you sent it out there, and it's floating around somewhere.
Not all of us are public speakers with a rapt audience who clings to our every word. And obviously if everyone were expressing his or her opinion, no one would be listening, and nothing could be done.
Maybe your rant will do nothing for the world at large, or even in the comfortable suburban streets of your small community. But, there is a certain joy that comes from knowing that at least your rant is there; understood by some, or even just yourself. Bottle up inside all your woes and it does nothing. Share it with the world, and someone else will eventually listen and agree.
To keep our thoughts inside ourselves is to slowly, over time and agony, go mad. I believe in the freedom of speech, especially for the fact that it keeps us in our right minds.
That, and to speak it, or to write it, fleshes it out. Makes it real. Gives it body, and a firm foundation. I recommend writing your rambling thoughts as often as possible. Better still, take the side in an argument which you would usually disagree with and attempt to defend it. Can you? Are there things in that side which you find yourself agreeing on? It's amazing how that works!
And sometimes you only believe more firmly in your own standpoint. Nothing wrong with that, my friend. That means to you, you are a solid individual with the backbone to trying backing yourself up. See? Rants are good!
Now, when people give me that look to try to discourage my rants, I merely smile and continue with my business. After all; if they have the right to shoot me down with a look, why I can't share my opinions, too?
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