Entry 8.0 - In an Alternate Reality - An Incoherent Draft

It took around 6 days for GOD to create this universe.

That is, if he/she exists.

But let's assume he/she does exist and is watching over us.

Would he/she be reveling or regretting for their creation.

Are we the way he/she pictured Adam and Eve or did we turn out to be the wasteful and failed creation.

Would he/she would want us to change or remain same in most of the important things in life?

If we would be asking them an honest critical review of their creation, how many stars would we receive out of 5.

Would he/she wait and give us a chance or simply want to bring down the doomsday soon..

Lets hope one day our telegram reaches them and we recieve the answer at least in the next 1000 light years. ( 1 Light year = 9.5 Trillion Kilometers)

 

Enough about GODS. Let’s talk about US and OUR WORLD.

A world where the News Elite or the Media keeps it focus on ratings driven content and not content driven ratings. Hence you get that 49 grams of marijuana. The basis of permitting those free taxpayer airwaves to media channels was to make the citizens aware about the the world, about the electorate, about whats happening in the society which everyone needs to pay their attention to. What circus has it turned out to be ?

 

A world where the president of the so called most powerful country has made a million efforts and got results in brokering peace between nations (hence the nomination for Nobel peace prize) and yet has shown apathy where his own country burns in the rage of injustice and inequality.

But, that’s the bigger picture. For today, lets talk about our world in the most personal manner possible.

So if I were to talk about your world, my world, our world, what could we do better ?

I am sure your imagination must be running wild. There are so many things that could happen. So many fantasies that may come true and mistakes which we never commit in order to write us a better future. This imaginative dream sequence is something which runs through all of our heads on a somewhat regular basis.

“What if it happened that way?”

Lets talk about the things we actually have to worry about. The things that require our immediate attention.

Important Note: These incoherent (unplanned) paragraphs may seem like a tale of a Dystopian era. That’s what exactly it is. It may also seem like a rant. But that’s not what it is. If it feels like one, then maybe, look around, look around.

It takes around - 

23,328,000 Seconds

388,800 Minutes

6,480 Hours

36 Weeks

9 Months

For a human life to be born. Quite a shocking comparison to the 6 days. It is perhaps the most purest ocassion of all is what we call “Childbirth”. Yet, it is said to be the hardest sight to behold, because that creation of life, the friction between matter and anti - matter, tells a story about Love, Labour, Pain and Hope. We, all the 7 Billion of us are the product of those little rare miracles and in each of these moments, we open the doors to a gazillion of new opportunities.

Lets talk about the years which matter the most.

Welcome to the most wonderful, volatile and energetic of the years.

 

The Teenage

This is an unprecedented phase. Its like we are finally able to tap into those energy reserves we didn’t know exist. This is the Pre - stage to the big stage. At least , that's what we are taught. With this, comes the problems/ adventures which have a lot of significance in deciding who we become.

Competition

This WORD is the holy grail of life. Compete. Compete in everything and compete with everyone. From schooling to life choices to achievements and legacies. We live in a “cut-throat bitch” kind of a world which goes by the code of competition. It acts as a systemic fear building machine for the average ones and a weapon of ultimate victory for the achievers in every batch. As they say, Life begins with competition. Only 1 in 200 million make it. So in our world, it becomes a tool, a hunger to become better from others clouding the most important of things and losing ourselves in this ocean.

Why?

Because we do comparisons in everything. Don’t get me wrong, Competition is a must. It is a mechanism or a feeling which makes us want to do better, be better. I am not against comparing mere school grades . I am talking about bigger things in life. What just began as comparing of grades, leads to comparing of what mobile phone you have, how much savvy of a career you have than the other, how much money we earn leading to harboring of negative feelings in almost all cases. Clouding the most important thing, the vision we should see for ourselves. The vision which tells us who we want to be in our lives and how we want to be that version of ourselves. You see we all are competing in a race with different and unknown destinations.

Vision

Not more than 10% of the children have a vision for their future. A vision of what they want to do in their lives, who they want to be. I am not talking about some age marked roadmap. I am talking about those faint lines which we want to follow as a result of self aware choices. Vision which forms around our interests ending up to a way of leading to a content life.

Rather we look into choices which may provide us with the most comfort in the coming years. There is no concept of gap years, because we are in a race. There is no proper forum where a child is asked and guided to find or at least start an answer to the biggest question in life.

“What kind of a person do I want to be?

What is it that interests me to a level that I could direct my efforts in learning that?

What it is that my mind and heart want to pursue?

How will it be possible for me? ”

Rather we live in a “Line Conduct” philosophy. Almost nobody assesses the possibilities in deep but rather just goes for the safest money making, comfort providing, well respected professions and careers.

In all of this circus, we are just undermining the possibilities a child might possess. Because we are all busy in running the machine of producing engineers, doctors and accountants.

Individuality and Lack of Character 

Life is a race. If you run fast enough, you may secure yourself a Trophy or a well balanced cheque book at the least.

Imagine a 15-16 year old kid who is almost in the last year of his school and in the process of choosing his future career options. Imagine the quick rise in temptations of the heart and mind of this kid. From liking someone to trying something new. All these things constantly going on his mind. Feels like there is a lot on his dish right now.

But this is also the beginning of a very important moment in their lives. They are like a piece of raw metal (full of energy) in a state that’s completely malleable and the hammer of emotions and expectations which keeps on falling on them is responsible for the shape they take.

Now I am not saying that this is the job of a parent or teacher only. I am saying that there is a lack of environment on a societal level to teach/ guide them and make them aware about the things which hold the same level of importance. That in this petri dish full of much awaited decisions, the tools and weapons required are yet to be completely forged. I am talking about the individuality and character. Its very important for a child to develop their individuality, in their thoughts, their opinions and the things they identify and dis-identify with. It also comes with the qualities and mannerisms they inculcate inside them with a mixture of self grown and imitated principles about life. These weapons of individuality and character help that inexperienced kid with some guidance take a much more mature decision.

And in the long run, these 2 weapons define what and who we are having the biggest impact on our lives leading us in the biggest stage of our live, The Adulthood.

ADULTHOOD 

The state of being fully grown or mature.

The golden period of everyone’s life, when the stakes and engines are always running high.

When we through our actions decide, who we want to be. A time when we form our strong definitions of whats right and whats wrong. When we pick sides in debates and discussions, political ideologies and whom do we vote for. Isn't it quite the most vibrant period.

Before I drop in the heavy words, lets start with the soft ones.

The Game of Shadows - Communication

We have a good bucket of categories out there.

Are you an introvert, extrovert or ambivert ?

Which definition you identify yourself the most with. The general opinion is that extroverts are the best communicators. That's where the weed got us. Being vocal or talking about things freely doesn't meant necessarily that we are good communicators. Communication is maybe one of the most troubled skills of our time. It’s made up of self awareness, having an open mind, an intent of talking to people, empathy and if you got that all right, then finding the right words to get that message out.

I am not saying we should be experts in it. I am just saying that it should be known that there is a skill called communication. That not everyone have it. We have to try to be better at it.

Social Media

Who says magic is a myth?

Look at social media. The biggest invention mankind ever made in the effort of connecting the whole world or as they say, a Global Village. It was supposed to become a new way to share things, meet new people or be connected with old pals even at long distance. But now, it has become the only way of sharing anything or doing anything.

A few days, ago a trending frenzy took over the internet when Netflix released “The Social Dilemma” in which they cleverly highlighted the system is rigged to manipulate every single user to be addicted, spread misinformation or even make someone feel the need of validation about their own social status.

But I don’t think that is the biggest problem it created. These are businesses who can grow only by deceptive and unethical trade practices after a point. They did that, they are still doing it. But is that the only core reason. I rather think it is the replacement of feelings it brought to be the bigger reason. How we seek validation for our every small act from known and unknown people everyday. What was meant to be a tool has overtaken and is constantly re- writing our agenda. This is where competition got us. We compare and are jealous of someone taking an international trip, buying a new car or showing their love for someone. We have became somewhat of a Schrodinger’s Cat in this situation. Neither happy by being online nor being offline.

Now, think of the bigger picture. See this petri dish of an individual, their teenage filled with the wrong application of Competition, a spoon of bad communication, add a bowl of lack of vision and the pinch of missing character.

Voila.

You get a perfect recipe for a disaster artist right there.

Artists who are actually giving their 100% into things and bursting up like  bubbles in the champagne glass but lacking the skill set itself. We talk about encouraging each other for our life choices. Talking about giving a special shout out to the ones with a hard life or hard life choices, but rarely do the deed. Even after achieving the fame and success, we are becoming an example of instability, lack of morals & principles at the centre stage of our insecurities.

The Age Benchmarks Conundrum

After slipping in the adulthood comes the age conundrum. It like a preset standard that comes with the machine.

Academics - Done by 23 (25 in case you are really interested)

Financial Prosperity - Done by 25

Marriage - Done by 26

Children - Should at least have 1 by 30.

To think and take an individual who was still developing his vision by finding himself/ herself, in their early 20’s because in their teenage there was no such guidance but just a race are welcomed by this golden standard. Those who adhere to it are considered to be the successful experiments and those can’t or are still trying to find their way and asking for more time are thrown in the below average baskets.

There is no question that age signifies a lot of things in a person’s life. But that doesn't mean its a mandate to adhere to it. All 7 billion of us have been dealt a hand of cards. Great, Poor or Average. Life is just a journey which should be taken at its own pace.

On a personal note, here’s a quick snap of the things I wish would be different in our alternate reality -

- I wish there was a way we could understand the importance of having a self worth and character.

- I wish there was a way we could put the mental health as a small course in the college curriculum's for all. It would shine an appropriate light on what we all need to know and take seriously.

- I wish we could teach our kids and ourselves about Drugs. We have far too many brilliant souls lost to that cause. We fail to understand sometimes that drugs do not make an addict, its the need to escape the reality that makes an addict.

- I wish we could understand that thoughts and ideas do change the world.

- I wish we could understand the importance of our Right to VOTE and choose a government, not just a prime minister or president, that does what’s right for us instead of holding hands and promising us the things we want to hear.

- I wish we could be empowered enough to choose any profession or career for us. That what you like is something you are at liberty of going for.

- I wish we allow ourselves the chance to Dream and try and Fail. Then Dream again try and Fail. And one day, dream again and Try and Succeed. But keep on dreaming.

- I wish all of us, the whole lot of 7 Billion of us understands one single fact that we all are like blips in the universe. Rich or Poor, Man or Woman or non binary, Black or White, Straight or Gay. We all have the freedom and liberty to dream and go for it. You cant bring the chains around anyone for being any of the above. Also raising the minimum age for marriage to 21 for all INDIVIDUALS would be a big step.

- I wish we could understand and practice the three magic words called,

 TRUST, RESPECT and CARE.

Darkness and Light - The Theory of Dualism 

The greatest invention in human philosophy was the theory of Dualism.

If there’s right, there’s wrong. 

If there’s good, there’s evil.

If there’s darkness, there’s light.

If their sadness, There’s Hope.

I don’t know if its wrong or right. But the philosophy is very clear on that one, its just a matter of perspectives.

I don’t know a single person not filled with regret, remorse or repentance. In the gloomy present we always think that, “What if it happened the other way, round?”

Maybe things would have happened differently in another world, another reality.

So much time of our lives is wasted by thinking about this another reality. Where things would be perfect like the classic move of chess pieces, all worked in the direction to win the game, to get the destiny of our lives. We finally become the king and queens in that mirage of a world.

These thoughts of an alternate reality are a comfort as much as a depressant. They make us think of the world where in the end of the journey, the last day on earth, we get a paper handed out written 100/100.

Please tell me if I am missing out any funny different perspective of this. Most of us do think this way, at least the ones with ambition.  

But is that the story in reality?

Are we all in our adult hoods being dark, sad, depressed look alike.

Or is there something more to it. Adults who are kind, inspired, hardworking and just. When I look around, I see a bunch scattered here and there. The bunch which feel things to their core.

They are just ordinary people like everyone of us. Yet the shine of the gem that they are blinds me sometime. These people are no one but one of us only, actually they can be you and me. The one’s who are listening, watching and paying attention. The one’s who in all this abyss are ready to act and call the shots, waiting to be inspired. The one’s who understand the need for the CHANGE and not just dreaming of an alternate reality . Because they aren’t just ready to give up. Because they found that SPARK. SPARK not just giving out a purpose or vision in life, but giving out the teaching of enjoying life through. Not just to be ambitious but also self aware. To do things a little bit right and wrong here and there, but with freedom and liberty. The dreaming, reaching and failing and succeeding. Enjoying all those parts and maybe at the end hope, that there's that destiny you were fighting for.

Stopping to think about what could happen in alternate reality and make that reality possible for us and our future generations, Right Here, Right Now .