We are encouraged to compete with each other. To compare ourselves and try to beat our neighbors, or even our friends.
Luxury products. Houses with more room that we know what do with it. Fitness programs that promise a beach body. Anti-age serums.
Anything so that we can seem more successful, sexier, and younger than others.
And when it’s not about winning, it’s about “treating ourselves”. Companies pandering about how we deserve everything they sell.
A life focused on a selfish pursuit of “winning” or personal pleasure is not natural for humans. It’s the result of successful conditioning, to keep us consuming. All of us have been subject to it our whole lives. The methods are just getting more potent.
The personal consequences are extreme. We’re being fooled to sacrifice what life at its best really has to offer. Because not only are we living a constant miserable chase, we’re missing out on the most rewarding life experiences:
Deep relationships we don’t have proper time to explore. Or relationships that always remain shallow, because there’s an element of competition or envy in the background.
The incredible (and sustainable) feeling of purpose, motivation, and energy that comes from genuinely working for a cause other than ourselves.
The abundance of everything we sought in the first place, falling in our lap—effortlessly, as the result of real unselfishness. These opportunities, adventures, and even wealth are much more enjoyable when they’re not the end goal or a status marker.
We should all open our hearts, go against the grain of our society, and start living a life of generosity. Not as a secondary quality, but as the North Star of our lives. It doesn’t take long to see that this is not a sacrifice, but the path we were always supposed to take.
Beautifully put! Your essay perfectly captures the essence of karma – our choices have profound effects, impacting ourselves and the world. It's a powerful call to move beyond competition and consumption towards a generous life. Thank you for this vital message!
Perfecto.
~
I realized that this self,
that I had served for so long,
was an illusion.
~
Yes, everyone told me that since I was young,
but words are not the thing,
so it took quite a bit of time.
~
Imperfectly, now, I serve this world and it's people.
My reward for doing the only reasonble thing,
is to live in grace.
Not an easy word to chew.
~
Another way to put it,
I am free, now, to agressivly love everyone.
(not to flirt againt the will of a nice lady writer,
of course, in case you are reading this, jerk man)
They flee, or hate, or love me back.
I feel the hate like warm sunshine.
And the love like cool water.
And the running away,
keeps it pretty quiet.
~
Try it out!
The self is always a tyrant anyway.