Wednesday, April 28, 2010

X is for...



XENOPHILIA/XENOPHOBIA.

I honestly don't know why blogger and word both believe xenophilia is spelled wrong. That's the spelling straight from my dictionary. Stupid programs. Ah, well. Moving on.

Xenophilia is defined as an attraction to or admiration of strangers or foreigners.

Xenophobia, conversely, is defined as a fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners or anything foreign or strange.

Off the top of your head, can you name any xenophiles you know? How about xenophobes?
I bet you can.

As a writer, I have a natural interest in anything foreign or strange, since I write fantasy and the unusual plays a heavy part in designing a fantasy world. But in my life, I have tended to shy away from strange or foreign things. Is it possible to be both a xenophile and a xenophobe? Interesting thought.

Aren't we all full of contradiction?

I've grown quite a bit, most noticeably since I have taken my dream to be a writer to the next level--that level being to stop dreaming about it and actually work to make it happen. It's a long, slogging, uphill battle where I often feel as though I'm sliding backward more than inching forward.

But then, what's that great quote again? "The harder I work, the luckier I am."

So, what's your dream? And what are you doing to work toward making it a reality?

11 comments:

Cluttered Brain said...

My dream? is to write and revise a book. MY book. Now if I could only get these books off my desk so I can find my computer. Curse Dan Wells for writing such a fabulous book, "i am not a serial killer" cause NOW I want the book Mr. Monster.

*SIGH*
I am suddenly very thankful for that stack of books right now. It is good to keep my mind off of the fact that I do NOT currently own a copy of Mr. Monster. YET.

Wanda said...

A thought provoking post.

Arlee Bird said...

My dream is to make a living by writing and things related to my writing. Part of what I'm doing is my blog. The other part is writing.

I think there has been a problem labeling people as various "phobes" not because of a fear or hatred, but because they disagree with actions and ideologies. It creates a more negative feeling toward people who merely disagree and I think it's a very bad trend.

Lee
May 3rd A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post

Cheri Chesley said...

You have a good point, Lee. I didn't mean to imply that in this post--I was going more for a humorous slant--because I'm personally tired of the "there must be something wrong with you" idea. People used to be allowed to be different from one another. :)

Arlee Bird said...

No implication was taken, but I was just making that observation. You also wondered if it were possible for someone to be phobic and philic at the same time which is an interesting thought. Actually I could imagine a scenario like that --it might make an interesting story idea to examine a character who had that sort of paradoxical inner conflict.

Lee
May 3rd A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post

Cheri Chesley said...

Writers. The brain never stops, does it? lol

Elizabeth Mueller said...

HI CHERI!! Did you go to Storymakers??? I didn't see you there. :(

I am working to becoming a published author. The goal and thought terrify me for some reason. Yes, I am quite comfortable in my little world of aspiration, but it doesn't mean I will stop from moving forward. I know, contradictory am I, hu? *sigh...

Cheri Chesley said...

I was there, but had to leave early because I was still sick and miserable. I saw you once or twice, but didn't push through the mob of ppl to say hi. :)

For years I fought the fear of success. I could handle the status quo, but what if things got really good? ya know? I'm mostly over that now lol

Grammy said...

I think maybe my aspirations are always to make a difference for good wherever I find myself. I have no long range objectives anymore, since I am near 77. I just want to live long enough to do some good deeds for friends and neighbors, and to take care of my sweetie pie, and also to have some fun along the way, enjoying friends and neighbors.
Ruby

chris weigand said...

Cool post. I wasn't even aware of the antonym of xenophobe, but I suppose there would have to be. I think I also could classify as both. As a writer of fantasy I am willing to explore new worlds and new people. As a woman I am sometimes afraid of new people and circumstances. An interesting dilema, wouldn't you say.

Cindy Beck, author said...

I loved your quote, "The harder I work, the luckier I am."

So very true!