when we are wronged by another, we demand justice be done. when justice does not come, we shake our fist at the sky, asking, why me? when the Universe does not reply, we typically either resign ourselves to learning from the experience or push it away, denying its existence. but some opt for a third path… they seek vengeance upon the perpetrator. they begin a dance of anger that can only end in more pain, believing that this is the only way they can receive validation for their importance, so recently called into doubt by what they perceive to be the premeditated and thoughtless actions of another.
this is misguided, of course, because of an important truth: Life is Not Fair. Ever. the universe is based on the laws of physics and probability, not the subjective rules of moral conduct.
not to say we shouldn’t strive to accomplish good deeds, or that we should rob others of happiness for our own benefit. but the Universe owes us nothing, asks for nothing, and cares not a wit for us. it simply Is. the belief that there is anything more to the process than what we create for ourselves is folly, a pleasant fable that allows us to shirk the responsibility of our own lives.
without this fable, we are simply hairless apes, consuming and breeding and taking photographs, a reality that most are reluctant to face. people want to believe in demons and angels, invisible creatures who reward or punish us accordingly for our behavior. our time would be better spent relying on the human intellect, building towers of wonder and reason from which we can see above the jungle of our species’ childhood.
Post a Comment