Is the human race winning? It seems that the answer is no. We go slowly along a pathway that plays with the notion of progress. We digress constantly from focussing upon what would fix issues of division, disagreement and despair.
The fundamentals are wrong. This is because we became strong believers of what deceives us.
We see policies formulated on the basis of hatred, and not practicality. We see people who influence others through peculiar behaviour that is justified in their own mind, yet it damages others considerably. Consequently, nations are not united. Also, people are divided. That suits those who use this conflict-ridden circumstance for their personal gain, regardless of the pain it causes anyone else.
Look at life. There is no significant improvement in terms of how we live. Disputes continue. Political intrigue and upset is fashionable. Instability and despondency arise. Obviously, not everyone has complete happiness.
As is also evident, there are significant differences of outlook as to what must be done. Untruth is obvious. Then there are the resultant problems that abuse us. Of course, answers to important questions are biased by personal opinions, and by underlying interests. The frictional patterns continue accordingly. We see extremism. We see violence. We see discrimination. We see gross inequality. Is all of this central to human evolution? Where is there any justice in this scenario? How can it be that we allow this to remain?
Consider the politics of dissent, dissuasion, deceit and destruction. Consider the fact that our race, our international society is at odds with itself. Why is this so? Why is it that we continue to be so foolish? Is this the life that we want for ourselves? What are the causes? It must be the unthinking of people. It must be the biased thinking of people. As well, we have all but lost respect for human life. It became a by-line, a footnote, an occasional comment, and not at all what is necessary as the core of our very existence. How can we expect to be better when that is not what we see as crucial?
Consider that with a lack of respect for human life there is a lack of respect for each other, and for ourselves. Without this, humanity is doomed.
Look at what happens. We seem to reinforce the habits of improper thinking and bad behaviour. We dream of something better, but let a perverse view of our future dominate. Positive songs and optimistic commentary about how life should be have fallen on deaf ears. Protests, at best, attract short-lived attention.
If something more fortuitous is in store for us, it is untapped, if not beyond reach. Perhaps it is a matter of time. Yes. It is time. Possibly the occasional moments of happiness that we feel will join to form a tolerable normality. Maybe, that is at the cost of how we see ourselves thus far. Probably, the cost of this is seeing our former selves lost permanently. Truthfully, that would be a good investment.
Frankly, no amount of hopefulness in the world has delivered us from the evils of it. Those who have dark hearts impart substantially upon the rest of our community. Maybe we can moderate the range of our collective behaviour that is responsible for what has happened in the past. Maybe we can stand upon a better understanding of who and what we are.
Are we worthy? Most certainly. How else can we expect to do anything new? How else can we expect to reject the model of living that has shown no great change in how we, as a species, exist? How else can we resist the urge to continue along a pathway that is plagued with humanitarian disaster and ending with mutually assured destruction?
Are we careless? In effect, do we care about the wrong things? This brings us to the point of considering what should be done. Why deny ourselves the right to make a difference? Why rely upon others when that has not gone well? Why not become observant and considerate?
Certainly, we must understand that beliefs give us some sense of security. Yet beliefs limit us, as well as prompt us to see differences in others. Yes. Differences that cause problems.
The result?
No progress.
But what of any possibility of societal improvement? Have we compromised? Have we accepted an imbalanced power distribution? Have we seen ourselves as being incapable of doing more than allowing hope to outweigh uncertainty?
Do we play a game by remaining lame and expecting a sympathetic outcome from someone who will carry us through life? Who can do this?
There is no one else.
There is only us.
Are we not in control, at least of our own lives?
Are we not an essential part of humanity?
What should we call the future but an opportunity to see humanity other than it is? We must make it better. What, then, do we see of the present moment if not the way to make a positive difference in this regard?
Look at what passes for normality. We seem set upon consolation instead of winning a better existence for ourselves. Are we so far removed from considering the value of human life that we can take a knife to it with such ease? Have we become overrun by our emotions to the extent that what is meant to be a good life is crippled by our bad choices?
What can you do to improve your life?
What can you do to improve that of others?
To begin, we should be clear about what is necessary, and that does not include living in a manner that exudes stressfulness. We should focus upon goodness. We should be certain that what matters is not influenced unduly by the unruly behaviour of our thinking when it is linked to regret, fear, uncertainty and doubt, without which we would live honestly. As well, we should be good to ourselves by letting go of what we know pulls us away from contentment. For instance, time spent contemplating any wish, hope, need, want or desire takes us from what is proper.
We have a natural right to be calm and happy. We can be like this if what matters is clear to us. Therefore, we must understand that our lives can change for the better if we forget about how our previous thoughts and mode of thinking were caught up in the aforementioned chaos of living.
We are ordinary people. Yet we are far from ordinary. This is why we should be good enough to do the extraordinary. We belong to a global community, and that contains talented people. Yet we forget that each one of us is capable of doing more for ourselves.
The fate of the world, even if just a small part, rests in our hands. The power, then, to change it for the better is with us.
There is no choice but to do something new. If not, what can we expect of life but more of the same?
Honestly, we must work toward mutually assured survival.
Cornelis Reiman
Thailand
Also published on Medium.
