In the urban jungle, a man without a sense of self navigates akin to those tales of wanderers in a forest, losing their way in their flight from a monster, only to find themselves entangled in the wilderness. Yet, for those who have endured this tumultuous jungle of self-doubt, aimless wandering, and profound weariness, they understand the delicate balance between transformation and destruction. These two forces, like eternal siblings, engage in a perpetual game of ring around the rosy. We reside as close to elevation as we do to suicide. Nonetheless, one can learn to familiarize oneself with the authentic self, becoming acquainted with “The Mental You.” We must embrace stress.
Walking into a restaurant I didn’t really want to visit, I grumbled to my friend about its lack of authenticity. Carrying a stack of books, I made my way to the counter where the man behind it seemed rather impolite. Nonetheless, I decided to engage with him, hoping to improve his mood. When he inquired about the books, I mentioned my podcast that delves into “the essence of existence and explores themes of God.”
His eyes widened, and he whispered, “I need to talk to you, but let’s wait until you’re at your table.” Later, he approached me while I was eating and confided, “Earlier this month, I lost my mother, last week my brother went to jail, and just yesterday my car caught fire. This morning, I reached my breaking point and placed a gun on the counter, screaming at God for abandoning me, for not caring, for making my life unbearable. I had planned to end it all after work, but six people have mentioned God to me today, and you were the final straw. I won’t go through with it.” Embracing, he held back tears against my shoulder.
Although his story touched me, it also left me uneasy. While I believe in divine intervention, I recognize that we must also take responsibility for our lives and see them as challenges to overcome rather than insurmountable obstacles determined to crush us.
Reminiscent of ancient Yogic quotes, it urges us to embrace our duties without succumbing to the weight of circumstances that instigate fear, fatigue, and uncertainty. Observing my friends’ struggles, it appears to stem from the world’s failure to grant them the respect they genuinely merit, ultimately diminishing their efforts. Rather than embarking on each meditation, painting, or writing endeavor with the initial purpose in mind, we fall into inertia, weariness, and wonder, “What went wrong with us?”
Embracing stress is essential as it transforms into a challenging opportunity to test our strength against life’s forces. It becomes an experience that happens “for” us rather than “to” us. To internalize this fresh perspective, we must fully accept change as an integral aspect of life. Rather than succumbing to detrimental habits like doubt, fear, and neglect, which hinder our growth, we can emerge stronger by welcoming stress into our lives.
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