Lost soul?
Not too long ago, I commented on my friend’s blog—basically about being indifferent as an “OK” option sometimes. (I meant it as a temporary option, just so he could have peace of mind, given his emotional state at the time). So anyway, somebody (um should I say, vehemently?) responded to it, saying that it is the cruelest thing any human being can do. She juxtaposed her reaction with a quote from Paolo Coelho: that “love liberates.” I did not mean to argue, and I am not at all cross about it. Neither would I say I’m right, nor contradict her with her “love is the answer” option. It’s just that to me, being indifferent is probably as valid an option as being emphatic, only they stand at opposite ends.
Anyway, following that 'argument,' my question is: who determines the appropriateness of the medium one chooses in liberating oneself from whatever it is that shackles him? Whose standards do we follow? What factors do we give preference to? And if people are choosing the non-conventional way of dealing with life in general, does that mean they are wrong? Indeed, it’s totally hard to reconcile your own standards from that of others. And if you argue that they rebel against you, don’t you also rebel against them by sticking to your own standards and criteria?
I am reminded of Veronika, Coelho’s character in one of his books, who at age 24 decided to die because she sort of had enough of this so called life. She had it all planned, etc. I heard of a similar case in real life—male, 22, from a reputable and well-off family, graduated from a decent university, had a gf, had a happy life, no family history of suicide. And yet….he shot himself, explaining in his suicide note that he’s happy to have reached such an age, that he has led a good life—essentially that he’s contented and had nothing to ask for and so he’s happily making his exit like that. So, shall we absolve them? Shall we rebuke them? Or shall we just let it slide and go on with our lives since they’re not related to our mundane existence anyway? By society’s standards suicide is unacceptable. But we are also taught to be the master of our fate. So which is it, really? And ending one’s life is but one of the most debated social issues....
Escapism, inaction, going with the flow….are they necessarily wrong options? Pro-activeness, persistence, resilience, thorough planning…are these the more palatable means of maximizing existence? Of course there are gray areas. There is a 'space between' where infinite possibilities also lie. Like finding a balance given an array of opportunities, or maybe sitting on the fence, playing safe and becoming free-rider (hah!)
You definitely occupy a spot in this long spectrum. Regardless of which side you’re on, at the end of the day, don’t we still find ourselves entangled and deeply embedded in a trite common ground we call existence? You tell me…
