Are You an Ancient Spirit?

photo by wazari

I had a conversation some time ago with a quiet woman who was thoughtful and presumably insightful. She made several unsolicited observations about me, most of which were quite general and all were flattering to some extent. Things like, “I can tell you’re a very careful individual.”

She is not a psychic or a fortune teller, just an acquaintance who likes to share her observations. Yes, she lives in California.

One day during a thought-provoking conversation she told me I had an “ancient spirit”. Again, rather vague, but also sort of appealing. It brings to mind someone wise beyond their years. However, it could also mean she thinks my ideas are old fashioned and out of date. So I began to question my perspectives and wonder how they reflect today’s culture.

One of my strong beliefs is the uselessness and pure self-indulgence of privilege. I don’t believe anyone should get special treatment regardless of their title, talent or wealth. So often movie stars, athletes and other celebrities get treated as royalty, with people going out of their way to make special accommodations for them.

Most often it isn’t done at the celebrity’s request. It’s a spontaneous outpouring of deference we feel they’re somehow due. I find it odd, especially in the United States, to see this sort of behavior since we long ago rejected the idea of kings and of a privileged aristocracy.

Perhaps it is too deeply ingrained within us to want a ruler; to desire to subject ourselves to someone.

The most egregious form of this behavior is when we allow elected officials to exempt themselves from the rules they establish for the rest of society. In what reality does this seem like a good idea, to have the people making laws exempt from those very laws? It’s a recipe for disaster.

It’s like letting your older brother cut the candy bar in half AND pick which half he wants.

So I surprised myself the other day when I was returning to Bahrain from a trip abroad. As I approached the immigration checkpoint I saw the line was already long and twisted back and forth on itself long enough to look like about a half hour wait.

Just as I was approaching the back of the line however an official motioned for me to go through a line on the far left which was reserved for VIPs and was completely vacant at the moment. I don’t consider myself a VIP but maybe I had the appearance of one. I followed his direction to the line and was through immigration in an instant.

On the other side I thought first of how lucky I’d been to have been able to make it through so quickly rather than have to stand in that long line. And then it occurred to me that I had just received the same treatment I abhor when given to others.

How can I justify not waiting in line with everyone else? Was I better than them? Did I deserve special treatment? No, but I didn’t decline when it was offered. I suppose that’s how celebrities feel sometimes as well. They don’t ask for it but they’ll take it when offered.

Perhaps deep down I am an ancient spirit and I enjoy it when people defer to me. After all, I never asked to be the king.