Why do we stand in the sun, knowing we will be burned?

Question

Darn. Sometimes I hate picking BA.

M Bernard- An emergence from lurk-dom? That’s a pleasant surprise. But I’ve always thought “common sense” was rather a slippery slope... :-)

Midnite Rainbow—Better to burn than endure the cold? You’re probably right.

Shahrizat- *Another* wonderful answer! I definitely owe you points. Can I put it on my tab? (P.S. Edit to your heart’s content. I have the same habit.)

- Thank you, my friend, there’s nothing I don’t love about that answer. You’ve probably discovered the subconscious origins of this metaphor as well; I’m indeed burnt to a crisp. I think the good reverend must still have friends in Cleveland—someone summoned a biblical plague of gnats to the stadium. And I will confess: I took great delight in watching the Yankees scramble and dance like ants in a water wheel... ;-)

Thank you all for your answers! I promise to stop spouting ambiguous metaphors. (But I reserve the right to speak in riddles.)

Answer 1

"What is to give light must endure the burning." --Eleanor Roosevelt

Why do we who are willingly and presumably self-aware, stand in the sun risking the greatest possibility of being burned? You've asked your question in the Philosophy section of Y!A....and so, here's my philosophical take on the matter.

Burning can be a controlled cleansing and illumination or burning can be an all-consuming self-destruction. It isn't just a case of "knowing" we will get burned, it is also a case of believing that even with risk, the burn can be controlled and rewarding.

Quite simply, we risk experiencing all degrees of 'the burn' because this is the natural flow and force of "Life". Life does not exist inertly in the darkness, it's spark never lit and the journey ceasing without having ever existed.

Some people are sun gazers - those who gradually practice increasing and sustained periods of looking directly into the sun at each daily rise. This is entered into with a conscious effort and done so with mindful caution by incrementally increasing each day's gazing by mere seconds until after several months, sun gazers can remain for several minutes staring directly into the sun's brilliant rays. Yet a senseless, unrestricted burning is of little value, and causes real harm and often a burn of destruction.

Like sun-gazing, Life itself can be experienced in this way. We can enter into our "contract with the sun" absorbing it's energy in gradual phases. We can endure the burning and reflect back the sun's power into our worlds. We can burn and arise "phoenix-like" from our own ashes. Or we can behave like Icarus, who on wings of feathers and wax, flew too close to the sun and suffered the ultimate burn. We have free will to either endure the power of the sun to choose Life or defy it's power and ironically choose inertia, darkness, and ultimately Death.

Answer 2

Because there are always two sides to a coin.

The world is balanced on both positive and negative aspects of things; just like the shadow that comes with the light, just as how one part of the world experiencing El Nino or La Nina will generate opposite climate conditions on the other, or how where there are mountains there would also be valleys…

Similarly, when one ventures to succeed in one endeavor, it would rarely be without going through some hardship on the way. To top that coveted Olympus; one must climb to reach it. So to bathe in the light of the sun, one must also be prepared for the ensuing burns…

No pain, no gain. In my humble opinion, that’s just the way life is.

EDIT - I corrected a typo error. Sorry.

Answer 3

Sunshine is good for the soul we get vitamin D from it - which helps us dream.

A lot of people who live in the north are prone to mild depression in the winters, when there is very little sunlight.

Only burns a little. Once we have a base tan we tan good. If we do burn it will turn into a tan the next day. Doesn’t believe in sunscreen that stuff will give you skin cancer. Only uses it if we’re doing a shock tan like on a snowbird trip.

Answer 4

I assume this is a metaphor for "being in the spotlight." Perhaps not.

Anyhow, I suppose that just about everyone wants a little recognition for their ideas and accomplishments. The downside is that there will always be those who will criticize or even smear those who dare step into the limelight (getting burned). Basically, if one cannot handle the heat generated, one should remain in their comfort zone till one is truly ready to deal with any negative consequences.

Answer 5

Obama stands for Bark rock whole sin O Banana

Answer 6

Most of us don't, at least not long enough to get burned. This goes for the actual Sun and for the metaphorical one. For those that do get burned, well either their judgement was lacking or their choices were limited.

Answer 7

You can't just avoid the sun forever... and if proper action is taken by applying sun block that shouldn't happen. Unfortunately to go outside some days means walking in the sun... and at the beach(people generally tend to go on SUNNY days) it is unavoidable.

Answer 8

I don't normally go under the sun, but when I do it is usually because it requires me to go under the sun.

I usually play football in the evening and i do get the, but not long enough to get burn, but I do get a tan.

Answer 9

It may burn but we need it to get us through another long night of darkness and cold. This that frighten us in the shadows of night can make us laugh in the light of day. and warm our fingers and toes.

Answer 10

because the sun is beautiful, and it brings warmth on earth. why shouldn't you enjoy it?
and it's not like you'll end up in flames! (except when you''re a vamp or something, then I wouldn't recommend it)