RCL #6: Addario’s Conflicts

In part III of It’s What I Do, Lynsey Addario reiterates a theme that is prevalent throughout her entire book: conflict. Addario not only sees conflict in the scenes she photographs but in her own life as well. Throughout her memoirs, Addario constantly battles this strong conflict, splitting her between her work and her personal life and forcing her to try to balance the two opposite worlds.

This balance is questioned at the end of part III when Lynsey’s friends say “’Why not get pregnant?’” The question struck her deep. While all her friends at home were busy having babies and starting “normal” lives, a lifestyle most of her readers relate to, Addario has been bouncing all over the world living her passion, not leaving room such regularities. In turn, Lynsey was infuriated by this proposition. She was at the “height of [her] career” and saw no room for such an interruption, for she feared that when she started her family, it would be the end of her career. However deep down inside she feels the urge for a family and is torn between the two, further developing her inner conflict.

Contrary to Addario, my conflict with my passion for sports is not quite as serious as war photography or starting a family. My biggest conflict is the greatest fear of any big football fan, when players on the Steelers, my home team, are playing against players on my fantasy football team. Last week when the Steelers played Baltimore, I desperately wanted to see the Steeler defense destroy those Ravens, but realized I have the Baltimore running back on my fantasy team. Watching that game was a constant conflict for me as I wanted my beloved Steelers to win, but also needed the Ravens back to have a good game and get me points.

Life is full of conflicts, big and small, and like Addario, we must always work to keep a balance between the things we love.

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