Maybe I'll see you down the road



As a human being, until now, I've existed on this earth for the span of 21 years. Our world as we know it has many different constants and variables. As I'm writing this, beings are being born and other beings are reaching their demise. Life is so many things. In fact, life is everything. It is beauty, cruelty, empathy, existence, death and so much more combined. Describing life feels like a subjective chore as it's the cumulative result of our meager experiences and existence.

Another aspect of humanity is our societal existence; since the earliest existence of human beings, we sought to create and establish meaningful relationships. Whether those relationships were for love, leisure, sense of unison and protection from surrounding threats of that time and era, we cannot deny the importance of society and relationships in our lives.

Ever since I was in Iraq's educational system, my teachers always said that you are who you're with. This statement still carries weight until today. A large and integral part is who we're with. From a sociological standpoint, we're influenced by religion, literature and common societal values which stem from collective national and regional experiences until today.

My very first and most influential societal relationship would be my mom and dad. As a child, I was taught empathy, understanding, caring and an unbreakable sense of morality which stands till this very day. I didn't really have any friends at that age due to the ongoing war between the USA and Iraq. I was unable to form social relationships and relate to people of my background due to the fact that, at that age, kindergartens were closed and the security situation didn't afford me the luxury of being a normal joyous boy who'd hang out with his mates. Some, until this day, would describe me as a peculiar character due to the aforementioned circumstances.

We're all molded in signature and unique ways like pottery. Since pottery is an art, no artist would attempt to mimic his fellow artists. If that ever occurs, art would seize to be an expression which stems from our views, values, beliefs and experiences. It would become a generic form which lost its very soul and expression.

Relationships are a lot like economics in the sense that there's always a stagnation and inflation. There are always differences present as no two persons are the exact same mold.

A very large part of societal relationships and the most important, in my humble opinion, is appreciation and understanding. To better understand the situation, let me portray a very generic and common image: How many husbands have wives who are fighting tooth and nail to embetter the lives of their household? Why are wives expected to undergo all the mundane and what's considered to be "feminine" responsibilities such as parenting, cooking and cleaning? How many wives call it quits and exit the relationship as a result? Why can't most men and societies out there appreciate all the critical work that so many wives are doing?

The same image and concept echo and resonate in all forms of relationships. We expect convenience and results without thinking of the circumstances the other party had to undergo to fulfill our expectations and needs. Modern societal relationships are a lot like McDonald's; go inside, order and wait for the food to come without thinking of the staff who're getting minimum wage and probably working two other jobs to support themselves and maybe, their families.

We keep expecting this concept to work while time and time again has properly shown that it rarely does. It's all insanity bottled up and made to look aesthetically pleasing to the unconscious and doped majority of us. It's a lot like listening to a song and praising the guitar solo and vocals but not the drummers or bassists. Relationships, in all of their form and glamour, are a two-way street. You can't avoid saying thank you for taking care of my kids, my household and going above and beyond. You can't refuse and deny the staff a proper salary to reflect their efforts in making sure we're all properly fed. In fact, we're to help as well. We have to embetter ourselves and understanding to contribute and turn the solo effort into a mutually appreciated duo.

How many times have we seen people at their worst state of affairs surrounded in a smoke ring and pondering how it could've been differently if they acted better from the bottom of a glass? I wish if ashtrays and bottles would talk, so we'd know of all the sorrows they've witnessed.

"Just wait till tomorrow" . I guess that's what they say when they fall apart. When effort is mutated into a falsely entitled sense of belief and pride.

The term "you get what you pay for" also applies. How many of us have paid with their blood, sweat, time, effort and most importantly, tears just to make it work? How many times have we been on the receiving end of disappointment and unappreciated efforts? Can we refund all the good and bad times and memories? Can we factory reset our lives and go back to normal just like we do with an iPhone? I wish it was that simple...

My favorite song (Love will tear us apart by Joy division) starts with these lyrics:

When routine bites hard
And ambitions are low
And resentment rides high
But emotions won't grow
And we're changing our ways
Taking different roads
Love, love will tear us apart again

How many times are we going to blame routine and life's advancements for "taking different roads"?

I wish I can get back to believing. I wish my inner optimistic child would rise again and view the world as perfect and that it's all rainbows. The truth is I feel smothered by the global state of affairs. I see a world that's occupied by fellow humans who lack their very essence of humanity. We lack empathy and understanding which we try to compensate for materialism by buying clothes we don't need, cars we don't want and houses which only echo of our singular pair of footsteps that lie unfilled by our brethren human beings. For how long are we going to get up and pretend it's all easy despite us not knowing how. Until when are we going to think of "making the tally equal" instead of searching for a meaningful existence with someone who equally appreciates and cares for us? Why do outdated traditions and values govern our lives?

Those who choose to undergo a pilgrimage away from society and its restraints end up as outcasts. We're often looked at as crazy people.

Until when will crazy become the new normal?

Until then, I hope I'll meet you down the road.

Comments

  1. I hope you will find all the best up the road. life is crazy but Man can draw his rainbow if he gets belief. In his way to be a great musician, the player should harden his fingers and he may break more than one instrument but he may enjoy the experience while his eyes on the prize. our self estimation comes from inside, no one gives us that. Others just feel it as long as it is there.
    It is really special essay

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