24: Everybody’s Lost but Me
Why does everybody tend to look for a place where they belong? I ask this question simply because it is poignant. We work so hard to be ourselves, only to find that other things compel us to edit our state of being so that we can be accepted. This little fact of reality can be harsh, it is socially accepted, and in some forms, must stay a part of our lives.
First, allow me to get rid of the proverbial element in the room. If you know where the title is from, I have nothing but respect for you, but by all means, keep reading. For those unfamiliar with the title of this post, it is a quote from a movie that represents a state of mind rather than the entire movie.
Returning to the topic: To eliminate some potential assumptions, this post is not about any particular region, nation, religion, culture, lifestyle, or political agenda on Earth. What I am referring to is the way our lives are influenced by what people have built throw-out time.
Any work of art that has inspired someone, any exclusive group, any product that defines itself as better, any location that demands a question, and any person who wants to sell or promote anything is trying to change who you are. Now, are the majority of the people, places, or things you can think of that are associated with this list bad? No, but there are some of them that you should look out for.
Please understand that exclusivity is not always a bad thing; in fact, exclusivity is naturally practiced by everyone. All you have to do is take a look at yourself. You have loved ones, friends, and people that you associate with. The fact is that you select who and where these people are placed in your life; it is impossible to love, befriend, and know everyone, and if everyone is not included in your life, that is the definition of exclusivity.
While picking and choosing the products and people you want to have or be around is as normal as it gets, there is a darker part to a person, place, thing, idea, or group that wields the word exclusive as if it were a weapon of pride.
If willful ignorance, hatred, abuse, greed, or fear binds you to a person, place, group, or cause, then you are letting your passion rule you. This happen far to easily when you accept the words or speech of anyone who sums things into absolutes.
I will admit that it is a hit or miss possess when it comes to identifying these things because we are born ignorant and stay that way until we put forth the effort to learn; we are taught to hate because fear is easier to spread than understanding, and we abuse others out of greed, frustration, guilt, or blame. How dark does the world look when you truly open your eyes to everything?
Everything is not doom and glume, there is a light that can help you navigate the things that want to change our prospective, and my example of what can be done is represented by a movie quote. It is not what the quote means that matters or the name of the movie it is from; the real example lies with the people who put forth the effort to find the name of the movie.
Curiosity, thought, and discovery are necessary to counteract anything that can influence you. Yes, people can change, adhere to, or support things when they want to; when they find something worthy enough to inspire them, but there is nothing more inspiring or freeing than when you can see what is real for yourself.
Where you are right now is where you belong. We live in the moment while headed in the direction of a future that cannot be foretold with any certainty. The choices, struggles, and tragedies that you have experienced are proof enough that you are strong enough to face what comes.
The way I see it is that everybody is lost but you; as long as you stay true to who you have chosen to be, you will always belong. To be lost is to fall victim to someone else's way of thinking. Accept people for who they are, how they treat you, and how you see them treat others. This might not be perfect, but it is a way to stay true to yourself. Until next time, I am Nolan… Ex Tenebris.
