This week I got a comment: “You are very deep”. My response? “I am like a wild soul contained in a human experience!” My response came from a question that I have often pondered, which is, ‘What would life be like if the human experience was not so contained?’ In essence I suppose this question raises the topic about the lingering effects of fear.
In society these days, the effects of trauma are at an all time high. With various reactions to stimulated fears, it does not matter whether the source of fear be fake or real. The result is the same. Fear in a war situation is a very true reality for those that experience it first hand, whereas the fear of the unknown is most often unfounded. The effect of fear of the unknown is the one I can speak to personally.
As a young person growing up, I lived in a very protected atmosphere. This led me to think about the outside world as an unknown ‘thing’ that was like climbing Mount Everest should I embark on it. I was excited about what it held, but navigating it on a practical level, I did not know how. I thought I was a simpleton and a failure because I could not be like my peers and move with confidence. As I grew into my 20’s and 30’s those fears that were seeded in my childhood held me hostage. When I look back now, I see that those fears were mostly unfounded and a complete waste of inner mental energy which unfortunately created outwardly painful setbacks at times.
Now that I am nearing the age of 50, I see the world differently as a result of a decision I made when I turned 40. I said “Come on, you can do it! It is time for things to change. You can’t keep going as you are. Make change happen Now!” I set myself some practical goals such as learning to drive, following on with a gradual career pivot. Then I met some amazing individuals who taught me so much to bring me on within myself. I grew so much further than I could have imagined possible. After much contemplation, plus inner analysis I was ready to step out into the world stronger and more informed.
All of this has proved to me that no one person is an island. We all need each other in a very genuine and authentic way. I am somewhat frustrated at the ideas of ‘Aggression’ and ‘Competition’ within business and sporting circles. I see too often those who will step on others ‘Aggressively’ to get what they want. This in turn then causes untold damage to others, many times going unseen. For those that are trying with great effort to navigate life, they recoil at such experiences often resulting in keeping their exquisite light under a dark bushel.
However, the compassionate side of humanity is what I search for and I do find it here and there. I then turn to the world of nature and the arts and I find the beauty of life that I envisage and dream of there also. That is what gives me hope and renewed vigor to keep going. It is an illustration of what the human experience can contain and expand on. I believe that as a species we have free will to a point, and I always ask myself and I ask you the same ‘what will we all do with the free will we have been granted? Are we going to let fear and division and false perceptions hold us hostage?’
Keenly listen to me on this point: there simply is no need for all the reactionary behaviors we all are witnessing in our world. From fighting amongst each other to disagreements over worldly pleasures, or the immaturity of not allowing difference to exist leading therefore to fractured relationships – it is all so very unnecessary. I know only too well from personal experience, these mostly crazy behaviors benefit no one in the long run.
So if you are reading this story of mine linked with some of my contemplative thoughts, I hope my words are a motivation for deeper thoughtfulness on your part. Go beyond your fears and see the beauty of human possibility in all of it’s colours. I do know from personal experience that the beauty of life opens up a compassion, within, that makes life sweeter not only for you, but for all those whom you meet on your path in life. Let’s all make this world a better experience for each other in the best way possible from this point on, one step at a time.
