Contradiction in Our Personalities

When I first read Pollan's description of Nietzsche's mental transcendence, I knew exactly what he was talking about. I have experienced this transcendence myself, when I would run cross-country or track races in high school. My mind and body would move to a different place; even though my body ached with every step I took I pushed through it until I felt as though my mind and body weren't connected anymore. This disconnection between mind and body is like the different and sometimes contradictory aspects of people's personalities; like Apollo and Dionysian. I know there are many parts of my personality and beliefs that seem to contradict themselves, but when you look at the whole picture, it makes up who I am. I love going out with my friends, going dancing, to parties, bars, or anything where there are lots of people. The next night however, I can be just as happy curled up on the couch reading a good book or watching movies all night. Also, how I project myself to other people changes depending on the situation I am in and the people I am around. In my classes I think people sometimes get the wrong idea about me, because I usually don't talk that much and I am pretty anal about getting all my work done ahead of time. If you meet me outside of class, though, I am quite outgoing and talkative. After thinking about Dionysian and Apollo I thought about why I give off a different personality in the classroom. I realized that I am anal about my schoolwork, because I want to get good grades and I like to stay ahead on my work, because the other fun-loving side of me likes to go out and be completely care free when I do. The way I satisfy both contradictory sides of myself is stay focused in the classroom and get my work done ahead of time, so when I go out I can be completely care free. It is interesting to look at yourself in this way of contradictory aspects, because usually these things are done without notice or question. If is good to look inwards and look at why some of our behaviors and actions seem so different from one moment to the next.