Discussion»Statements»Rosie's Corner» "IT IS WHAT IT IS" has so much compassion about it. Like "WHATEVER" or "GO SUCK AN EGG" or "GO TO HE**". Comforting words?
It does depend on the context and looking at your post just below this, I think you have a particular one in mind; but even where it is not a matter of compassion it is usually either complacency or weary acceptance.
It seems particularly used when the speaker feels totally unable to do anything about the situation.
I don't think you can compare it to those other slang terms though. They are of abuse.
It is what it is means you are giving up the fight. It signals acceptance. Defeat. No desire to keep fighting. That's not me Durdle. I will go down fighting. I won't roll over and "be a good girl" to suit bullies and liars and evildoers and traitors. I won't. Even when I KNOW IT'S HOPELESS I will not give up the fight. It may do no good at all but it does for me. Simple as that. I've fought through a lot because I'm stubborn and won't let others order me around or grind me down or scare me. Now to be fair about this I have never had anyone hold a loaded gun to my head. That might change my grit into terror. I don't know. But I sure as he** will never be like the toady sycophants and adoring worshippers of pandemic pumpkina** who lies every single time he opens his mouth. Not me. No way. That's what I meant and you disagree? That's fine with me. We are not the same person event though we often meet at the same place. I think gender has a role in this. I think some things are worth fighting for even when it may make no difference. It makes a difference to ME. Thank you for your reply. I'm not complacent nor do I get too weary and accept anything that is unacceptable. Now some things are of no interest to me at all. I can't be bothered. But what is important to me I will always have time for and give it my best. I will not silently suffer LIARS and TRAITORS and those whose goal it is be master of all. I won't. Geez words sure do rile me up! My own especially! Thank you for your reply and Happy Wednesday to thee and thine! STAY SAFE!
"It is what it is" is a very comforting thought to me, yes.
And, more and more, I wonder if I may possibly be the only person in the world to believe so. :)
You see, I have a tendency, at times, to negatively project, "read into" things and "fabricate fictional negative scenarios/outcomes" onto neutral circumstances. I sometimes project negative outcomes and scenarios, when, in reality, I have no idea what the future holds. And I have no power to "read other people's minds," though I often fall into that trap - - "They must be mad at me," or "I did something wrong," when, in fact, as far as I know, rarely has anyone been mad or rarely have they thought I did something outright wrong to hurt them.
With thinking patterns I developed while growing up, there are reasons why, at times, I project negativity onto neutral or even positive circumstances. But I'm getting better and better at realizing that circumstances "are what they are," and they are NOT the negative scenarios I sometimes fabricate out of negative thin air. I try to remember to tell myself, "Focus on what you actually know -- the facts of a situation ("it is what it is") -- and not negative stuff you are making up."
Again, the phrase "It is what it is" is very helpful to me and it's a comforting reminder to not project negativity, to not pretend that I can read peoples' minds and to not make up negative things.
For me, I can't imagine ever comparing this phrase with the other words and phrases you shared.
:)
This post was edited by WelbyQuentin at August 5, 2020 2:59 PM MDT
Hi there m'dear! Well you just gobstomped me WQ. In all the years we've chatted I never once felt anything remotely NEGATIVE from you. NOT ONCE! So you hide it very well. For me "it is what it is" works oppositely. It signals giving up. Defeat. Hopelessness impotence to do anything. I will always go down fighting. Hopeful mostly but sometimes even in despair I keep fighting like he**! I won't be silenced or worn down or worn out nor will be bullied into giving up. I REFUSE to roll over and accept anything based on anyone's assessment. That's life. No one promised you a rose garden. You win some you lose some. That is all ACCEPTANCE. The folks I admire are the ones who pay no attention to others. They have beliefs so strong it carries them through pain and suffering and disappointments. Roll over and accept quietly? Why should I? God or whomever gave me this brain to think things out and I do...well I keep trying. All the questions I ask means I haven't figured anything out but maybe others have and maybe if they have they would be kind enough to share it with me. What bugs me most is the illogical the hypocritical and the LIAR. Since we are drowning in all of that courtesy of the pandemic pumpkina** in the white house I have plenty of ammunition that pushes me to not give up. I accepted myself long ago. I'm not everyone's cup of tea and everyone isn't mine. You find folks with whom you click and you stick to them. I've found more than a few here on Answermug and also on Answerbag before that. A shared view. A shared hope. A shared despising of liars and cheaters and those who commit treason against the country and the people we hold dear. That's plenty enough for me. I don't mean to lecture you at all and I truly appreciate your opening up as you have. You've been such a shining light for me over the years. I wonder if it wouldn't be a great thing if we could KNOW how people feel about us? I bet it would be more good than bad. Hope you and yours are SAFE and well under these trying circumstances. We are all wired differently so of course words mean different things. We have different views and different crutches and different ways of coping. It's important you be your own best friend though. Not full of yourself at all. Not a know-it-all. But recognize whom you are how you feel and the good you do. I think too many people are too hard on themselves. They give others a break and wiggle room to be imperfect but they don't do that for themselves. Take care m'dear! Tomorrow is another day. It is always darkest before the dawn. There is light at the end of the tunnel! Happy Wednesday to you and yours WQ! :):):)
This post was edited by RosieG at August 5, 2020 8:37 AM MDT
My answer took a long time to write. I have to do some other things now and hope to come back and reply a bit more but I also appreciate your elaboration on your take on your question. I get from where you're coming, too.
That' what friends do WQ. Share their views! Happy tasking. STAY SAFE. Thank you for your reply and Happy Wednesday to thee and thine! Wonder what Ella is thinking right now wherever she is? :)
Durdle 