Sunday, June 21, 2009

Innocence


When it came up in conversation the other day, I could not help but explore an individual’s perception of the word innocence. Discussing it with friends brought up some different aspects to mind. It seems we use it as an adjective quite often and yet almost universally when it may not apply.

Trustworthiness is innocence?

Inexperience is innocence?

Stupidity is innocence?

Honesty is innocence?

When it comes to looks, infants are often referred to having an innocent look. Are we referring to their inability to scam us? fool us? or simply saying that they look nice. Even in grown-ups, a subtle natural physical beauty can be related to innocence. The trust we pour into a stranger, how personable the stranger is, is partially based off our perception of their innocence amongst other things.

When somebody isn’t as knowledgeable as us about a certain topic, their lack of exposure is sometimes considered as their innocence. The fact that after so many years they never came across something very naïve must be because they lead an innocent life. All of a sudden, you find yourself in a position of corrupting them. Corrupting not in terms of making them dishonest but simply exposing them to a life perhaps unacceptable in their past. Providing exposure to a soul is simply allowing them to live and define their own life instead of letting them follow one sketched out for them.

As a good friend pointed out, people living the been there, done that lifestyle have often had a lot of exposure to the troubles of life and carry lower expectations from their future. Innocent people live in an ideal world expecting everything to work out perfect. Sometimes I feel is it the jaded ones that make it far and high in life whereas the innocent ones are left behind. Then again, life today is such fast paced and full of diversity, unless you have spent your entire life in a remote village, you cannot remain innocent (of any kind).

I guess all the aforementioned forms are personality traits of an innocent human. Please search for them in self and preserve the ones that can be preserved. You may not be naïve or inexperienced any more, however, never lose the trustworthiness and honesty. Leaving you with a lovely song; Comments, feedback, suggestions welcome.

5 comments:

  1. over the time so many people have called me innocent and took me for granted/ used me / abused me that now if some one calls me an innocent it feels like koi mujhe gali de raha hain
    -vidu

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  2. Nice song -- it puts innocence, something that is hard to convey in just one way, into a beautiful thing!! And -- i will try to keep my honesty

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  3. AWESOME!!!!!!!!
    how do u write it?!?!
    after readng dis...i dont kno if i'll b able to use d term innocent while i judge somebody!!....
    i mean such a deep thot...oh my!ur my brother....didnt pass down dat ability to me....lol
    d song is also pretty awwwwesomeee!!!

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  4. I believe there is another view of innocence not thrown light upon. I don't know whether it fits in but this is what I feel-

    Self created innocence- What I mean by that is trying to create false image in front of others that you are innocent . Not showing your true colors for personal benefits. Its kind of a double game. People feel you are too innocent and they can scam you but they don't know its the other way round. Something like shown in modern day TV and films that a person is shown to be a 'bal brahmachari' but in real life he is a casinova a big flirt.

    So flattering others doing whatever others want (superficially) but in real life leading life at your own terms.

    So INNOCENCE(fake) can also be used to SCAM others.

    SO I SAY INTELLIGENCE IS INNOCENCE in some cases.
    :)

    So say if you are really innocent and someone plays and prank on you later using your innocence( which they assume )you can turn the tables around.

    I hope that makes sense(not sure lol :D )

    Ankit

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  5. Sadly in my native language "he/she is innocent" is synonymous with "have pity on him/her"
    i dont know how that is right?
    i dont see anythin wrong in being innocent

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