One in Seven Billion

 

Source : Google.com

That's all I am. One lone soul out of nearly seven billion currently inhabiting this crazy planet. Whenever I think, speak or write, it is the thought, voice, and opinion of one person, out of seven billion.

In the infinite number of possible lives that could be lived, to form a perception of life and the human condition; to influence a moral code, values, ethics, and an understanding of right from wrong, Mine is but one.

And the great thing is; that if I write about an element of it, then out of seven billion people, it isn't unreasonable to think that anywhere between 50 to 3,000 people might find their way to this site, and relate with whatever I've written, enough to click a little button that says 'like' or leave an encouraging comment.

Now as encouraging as it might be that there are other people who connect to something I've written. It doesn't intrinsically make my opinion any more or less valuable or valid than anyone else's. And although some may agree, it is almost guaranteed that for every one person that relates to my thoughts, those same thoughts will seem foreign and possibly confronting to a hundred more.

Human are such diverse and abstract creatures, it's inevitable that ideas that will seem to make one person feel validated to their very core, will seem offensive and threatening to the very existence of the world view that others have created for themselves.

The first important thing to remember is, that we as humans have always made the mistake of thinking that people agreeing with us means we are right. So no matter how much we claim to like robust discourse, we tend to surround ourselves with people who agree with us and hold the same opinions and values as us.

But while we are living in our world thinking that the popularity of opinions has any bearing on reality; try and remember Galileo Galilei who spent the last 8 years of his life under house arrest for proposing that the sun did not revolve around the earth, and it was in fact the other way round.

The second and last important thing we need remembers is, that no matter how unique, profound, or important we think our opinions and values are; we are just one voice out of seven billion.  

Depression lies to you! (Experience of Life)

Source : Google.com

Date : 23/12/13
Place : While travelling From Jodhpur to Jaipur

I'm back in a place I thought I was done with -- battling depression. I have a lot more hope this time though. I know it ends, and I'm not a teenager with hormones. I'm also not in an abusive relationship. So, you know, way better equipped to handle it this time around.

It's been a while since I've been here, though, so I'm having to relearn some things. Get my bearings, as it were. This is what I have to keep telling myself:

Depression lies.

Depression is like the evil adviser to my brain. It's the Grima Wormtongue to my Théoden, is what I'm saying.

It sits there and feeds you lies and shit and manipulates you. And you trust it, because it's coming from a place you're used to trusting. It's careful to feed you lies that seem somewhat plausible. If you were to say them out loud, everyone would recognize that you've got a liar in there, but when it's just inside your head, depression can repeat it and magnify it and make it seem true and real.

Case in point? This morning depression whispered "No one actually likes you. You're a failure, a creep, a socially awkward idiot who tries too hard to make people like you. They pretend, and they pretend well, but it's not true. They actually think you're rather sad, and talk about you all the time when you're not there."

And I went "Yeah, that seems reasonable" and decided not to get out of bed.

But depression slips up sometimes. Sometimes it tries to convince you of something that you know cannot be true.

This morning depression whispered that no one liked me and that I was a failure. But THEN it whispered "Your Best Friend hates you too. Also you are shit at Economics."

And I went wait a second.  

My Best friend doesn't hate me. I know she's rather fond of me. And I'm quite good at economics, thank you very much. It's my one bankable talent. My High School teacher taught me the subject pretty well.

Depression had lied and won, but then it lied some more and I recognized it for what it was. I got out of bed. I brushed my teeth. I even ate food.

This doesn't mean I don't believe it sometimes. I mean, I'm having to work pretty hard today to remind myself that the first part depression told me isn't true. I'm writing this instead of being productive because depression has me half- convinced that there is no point to actually trying at things.

But if I remember that depression lies, I have a better chance of fighting it. I can anticipate it's bullshit faster, make battle plans that are more efficient.

And eventually, like Théoden, I'll exile my evil adviser. I probably won't offer it food and shelter during a hobbit uprising, though. I'm not Frodo.

Be kind to yourself and don't let the liar win.