The Monster Within

It is said that within each of us is that which we hide and that which we present to the world. If it can be assumed that we present the best of ourselves outwardly, then what can be said of that part of ourselves we hide? We may not be proud of what can be described as our dark side, but we cannot deny it is equally a part of who we are. Can accepting our dark side make us a more complete person?

Perhaps, if we can come to understand the root nature of where our baser urges originate we can benefit from them. In the old days, we could not objectively explore our dark side without the assistance of a talented psychotherapist.

Today, we only need to look into our laptop files to see what our dark side prefers. Our computers are often the keepers of who we really are. Within them are the parts of ourselves neatly separated into files. What would a loved one think if they happened upon our opened computer? What would the F.B.I. think? Are we feeling somewhat uncomfortable yet?

Some would argue that a person who has something to hide is guilty. Others would argue that someone who has nothing to hide suffers from deep repression. But this does not mean you cannot win in the realm of the dark side. We merely need to acknowledge and accept all of ourselves rather than only the portions we admire.

When discovered, the evidence of our dark side is often placed on display like a crime scene. We are tried and judged by others based upon what is discovered. But if the jury were able to understand the true nature of what they were seeing their verdict may be entirely different. We will example a common dark side item typically found by chance in the hidden files of your computer.

Porn would be the most commonly discovered secret in a computer left opened . In relationships, discovery of the porn collection can become quite an issue. Your partner may assume you are somehow dissatisfied with the relationship or even question your fidelity.

In truth, this is the question you should have long since asked yourself. Upon reflection, you may find that your porn collection is not an exercise in deviance at all, but an appreciation of aesthetic beauty. The early works of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci could have once been easily considered porn for its day. Are those that admire these works regarded as deviants today?

In the search for the inner source of your porn collecting you may discover your inner creative side. Perhaps sketching your partner and making her a work of art to be admired for centuries to come is a better solution than attempting to explain to her why you collect porn. What we have exampled is a positive outlet for something that would typically, become a flaw in our psyche. There are many examples that apply. Imagine the dark urges of your favorite authors of horror fiction.

We wonder what type of demented mind could rend and tear the flesh of his fellow man, yet gladly, appreciate him for removing the tumor from our bodies. How would your talented surgeon’s dark side have manifested itself had he not pursued a career in medicine?

Barring the existence of past physical or psychological trauma, our dark nature is often a manifestation of our creative wellspring. Identifying the source of that nature becomes vital in knowing who we are. Perhaps, then our dark proclivities become something we would gladly present to the world.

For those of us who missed our calling, perhaps the evidence of our dark side is best kept hidden behind secure passwords and buried in non-disclosed locations.

Image Credit: dark-road-MorgueFile-By-howaral.jpg