Alone In The Crowd Two
We seem to be leading healthy lifestyles as we wake up every day and head to work. We invest in various assets such as houses, cars, vacations, food, jewelry, and clothing. We also prioritize our education and sell our time and expertise to earn money.
Through our hard work, we amass wealth and achieve various titles and roles such as doctors, lawyers, dentists, accountants, engineers, entrepreneurs, managers, marketing experts, astronauts, pharmaceutical specialists, scientists, psychologists, computer programmers, mathematicians, professors, teachers, interpreters, translators, and countless other professions. We find ourselves feeling drained and exhausted as we constantly push ourselves to attend meetings, study endlessly, make marketing pitches, and struggle through our daily tasks. This exhaustion often leads us to overeat or not eat at all, as well as overindulge in drugs and alcohol. Our coping mechanisms may include becoming addicted to sex, drugs, masturbation, pornography, alcohol, work, religion, or even marketing strategies.
Suddenly, we are overwhelmed by feelings of loneliness as we come to the realization that the individuals in our lives are mere reflections of ourselves. We are mirrors to them, just as they are mirrors to us. This profound connection forces us to confront our innermost thoughts and emotions, as we navigate the complexities of human relationships.
Time goes by rapidly in our lives. We strive to make the most of it, despite the fact that as a society, we often make choices that may not be in our best interest. We find ourselves stuck in a cycle of never-ending doubt and a constant focus on material possessions. Many of us go through life without fully understanding what we truly cherish. In the midst of our daily routines, we often find ourselves feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and unhappy, searching for a balance that enables us to find peace and contentment in our relationships with others and ourselves.
In today’s society, we often mistake acquaintances for true friends. The shallow pursuit of happiness and success through the relentless accumulation of wealth, power, and material possessions has hindered our ability to form genuine connections and cultivate meaningful relationships. In this consumeristic environment, our relationships are often superficial and lack the depth and authenticity that true friendship requires. As a result, we find ourselves surrounded by acquaintances rather than true friends who truly understand and support us. The relentless burden of pressure and stress we endure can slowly chip away at our emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical well-being, ultimately leading to our demise.This is how our souls wither away, how we meet our untimely end. It is the external forces of the world that gradually erode our inner strength and vitality. We are left questioning why some individuals pass away prematurely, not realizing that what I have just described is the cause of their early departure.
This essay was inspired by the passing of an individual whom I had the opportunity to meet on a few occasions. During our conversations, he shared with me the rich history of his indigenous ancestors within his own family. I had hoped to further discuss his feelings and experiences surrounding this heritage, but unfortunately, he was preoccupied with the demands of his job and other responsibilities. Despite my attempts to reach out, we were unable to connect and delve deeper into this important aspect of his identity.
It was truly a blessing to have crossed paths with him, even if it was only for a brief moment. He served as a reflection of the struggles and aspirations that we all face in our daily lives. His untimely departure from this earth is a heartbreaking reality that is becoming all too common. The overwhelming pressures and demands we place on ourselves can have devastating consequences, leading to illness and premature loss (death).
