OneWord - Conditioned

The prompt word over at OneWord is "conditioned."

We're conditioned at an early age how to talk, think, dress. Then, during some bogus ceremony where we get a piece of paper and license to join the world of adults, are told to make something of ourselves, make something of this planet.
But we remain in our candy-coated shells, too afraid to show the real us that bubbles beneath the surface.
Conditioned, as we are, not to fail.
Not to stand out.

Comments

Dee Martin said…
melts in your mouth, not in your hands. Kept thinking about M&Ms. That's us - don't want to make any messes...
Cathryn said…
Powerful piece ... conditioned not to "fail", meaning not to stand out, says it all.
Anonymous said…
It is indeed sad that we are raised to think of failure as finite and something to be avoided at all costs. Failure is how we learn best. Character is developed by what we do in response to failure. There is no shame in trying and failing, there is shame in giving up and assuming the box-shape we were assigned to. Good post!

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