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Another Leaf on the Tree
Published
6 mois agoon
[simplicity-save-for-later]He was dragged in chains and he did not struggle as he waited for the guards to lead the way. The face of the prison was almost familiar and the shriek of the rusty door, as it opened to his new home, sounded strangely calm. It was almost comforting as it cut through the cold silence of the empty courtyard. His jailors wore no faces, said no words and the brick walls loomed so tall over the prisoner as if to devour him.
It could have been worse, he thought walking between chambers framed with crooked crossbars. He peeked through the bars and felt relief that all chambers were empty. He was whole in his solitude and in what others might have seen as hell, he found a place of peace. Looking ahead, he saw an open door waiting, as if it waited for him his entire life. He was drawn to it and when the guards locked the door behind him, he stood with his head held high.
This is what I deserve, this is what I need, he calmed himself and lay down on his bed, looking around his new home. The red bricks of his chamber were cracked and battered, looking like flames by the moonlight pouring down the small window, and yet they were cold to the touch. A large mirror hung in the middle of the rotting wall and its presence was felt. His eyes averted, for he feared his own reflection.
The silence that was once soothing started to get heavy on his heart and he started to tap his fingers on the metallic headboard of his small bed, just to hear something that was not his thoughts. He looked for hours at the abyss that was the dark ceiling, and he kept on staring religiously so that he would not err and see the mirror, yet err he did. The darkness overwhelmed him and he sat up with a jolt, begrudgingly looking at it for it was the only thing to see, and the harsh eyes of his reflection shocked him.
He did not recognize himself in the mirror. The eyes that stared back at him glowed red with malice and it filled him with dread. His image looked like the devil and felt like his own jury, judge and executioner. He felt disgust in his own image and minutes passed by with him enthralled by the man in the mirror, until the lips on his reflection slowly started to move.
“Do you like what you see?” Said the reflection.
“If I did I would not be here.” Answered the prisoner, with a mild tone of sarcasm. “Neither do I, to be honest with you.” Said the man in the mirror in a shaming way.
“And what is it that you want from me?” He questioned in a tone of despair.
“The world would love it if you stayed here. Frankly, you were born wrong.” Admitted the reflection and the prisoner’s temper rose.
“And with I, you were born. My defects are yours too. We look the same, think the same and speak the same, and this is a life you must live alongside me.” He answered.
As the prisoner snapped, his reflection softened. The face on the glass felt more human and his anger started to ebb little by little. For the first time in his life, he started to be at peace with what he saw. He found a friend in himself, which he never found anywhere else and it was more warming than he thought. It was a conversation he never wanted to end.
“So is it you and I against the world?” Said the reflection.
“Why should it be a fight?” The man was puzzled as he answered.
“Well the world never accepted us, why should we accept it?” He asked.
“Well we never gave it a chance to accept us, did we? The world was there and we never touched it.” Sighed the prisoner.
“We reached and it backed away in disgust, did it not?” The man in the mirror asked. “No, my friend. It reached for us and we backed away. The disgust was ours and it still is.” He responded in shame.
“But how can we? We’ll never find someone like us. What’s the point?” The confusion was apparent in the reflection’s voice, and for the first time, the prisoner saw himself and felt compassion.
“I wouldn’t know, but is it bad if we were so different? We might not be much, but we can be another leaf on the tree.” He responded with heartfelt hope.
“Alas, we are here and the world is out there.” Said the reflection as it glanced at the small cell window.
They did not feel it, but they went on for hours. Time flew by and the endless stories they kept away from each other left no room for silence and before they knew it, the sun rose and their horrid cell bloomed and felt vibrant with light. Their heart was closer to peace than ever before and they craved the world. They talked about what they might see, what they might hear and what they might do. The secrets of the world they once rejected were novelties they wish to discover.
Days went by as their bond strengthened and their hate for each other was a thing of the past. The freedom they once thought so undeserved, now they thought was their right, and so it was. Our prisoner itched to leave and he traced his cell, fidgeting left and right. He yelled for the guards but the guards did not answer. He shook the bars with impatience and he heard a faint clank on the chamber floor.
The key fell right out of his pocket. He stared at it in total confusion, picked it up and it felt right in his hand. He held the world and the world accepted him, and he was finally whole. As he swung the door open eagerly, colours bloomed around him as his winter gave way to spring. He made his way out of his prison as it crumbled behind him, and finally he was a free man.
Written by: « Rib7 ».
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À vos plumes
The Dual Nature of Fear: Protector and Parasite
Published
4 semaines agoon
10 octobre 2024 [simplicity-save-for-later]Fear: Friend or Foe?
What if fear isn’t your enemy but your greatest ally? Explore how this powerful emotion secretly shapes your life and might be the key to unlocking your true self.
The Quest for Self-Discovery
As individuals and members of the human race, we should devote our greatest effort to discovering who we truly are. We often arrogantly proclaim to know ourselves better than anyone else, but do we? When we hear the word “fear,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? It likely conjures images of trauma and negative experiences. This amalgamation of letters has gripped many of us, playing a significant role in our existence.
Fear’s Significance and History
“Fear.” This small word may seem insignificant, yet it is full of meaning and history. Most people deeply care about their lives, and this tendency exists thanks to fear, even if many tremble at the mere mention of it.
The Denial of Fear
As humans, we have a tendency to deny what we don’t understand. We often deny our fear. This is understandable; we are naturally drawn to heroic narratives. Everyone loves tales of bravery and fearlessness. We revel in stories of victory and triumph. So, why should we care about fear?
Fear as a Fundamental Human Trait
Fear is a fundamental aspect of our humanity. What kind of brave person denies their true identity, unless we are discussing cowardice? Fear is a powerful emotion; it can speak without uttering a word. While fear may make us seem weak or inferior, it can also affirm our humanity. Fear serves as both a guardian and a ruler, governing our choices and decisions. And believe me, ruling is no easy task, especially in an unstable democracy of emotions and chemicals.
Fear as a Survival Mechanism
When the kingdom is under attack, fear can override reason and logic to ensure survival, even if the perceived danger is illusory. Fear acts as a musician, playing the drumbeats of our lives, its music resonating with the world around us. This vibration takes hold of the souls of all living beings.
Fear’s Role in Time and Perception
When fear takes charge, we feel our existence connect with the universe. We sense our lives intertwining with something vast and complex. Time slows down, transforming into something else entirely, while our perception sharpens, turning our world into a battlefield.
Fear as the Overprotective Mother
Fear can be likened to an overprotective mother, striving to shield her children, yet her protectiveness may hinder their growth and limit their potential. This complex emotion plays dual roles, serving as both protector and sage.
Fear’s Parasitic Nature
This inherited facet of our evolution influences our daily behaviors and shapes our character. At times, it turns into a parasite, draining our energy and hindering our progress. Unlike typical parasites, this inner fire originates from our own being; it can stifle our movement or compel us to act impulsively.
Fear’s Betrayal in Communication
This force can sometimes act disloyally, betraying its creator. For example, when our fear of judgment undermines our ability to communicate clearly, it jeopardizes our goals ,whether making a good impression or articulating a point. Miscommunication often leads to misunderstandings.
The Overwhelming Force of Fear
Viewing the world from this perspective can be enlightening, even if we cannot prove we share the same perceptions. When fear becomes overwhelming, it can manifest as a mentally unstable individual grappling with severe trust issues. This emotion does not easily relinquish control over our destiny or our capacity for change.
Fear’s Relationship with Learning and Future Prediction
Fear compels us to obsess over predicting the future and learning from the past, as it intensely despises pain, especially when repeated. Fear’s aversion to pain fuels our motivation and imagination, enabling us to predict effectively and avoid obstacles. Surprisingly, fear can accelerate the learning process.
Fear’s Role in Human Beliefs
This complex chemical response empowers human beliefs and convictions, adding a unique spark that transforms them into dogma, shaping our behavior. Fear renders beliefs unquestionable; when we deny our beliefs, we deny our identity. All humans have standards, fortified by fear. Without fear, we are nobody. Fear is, in essence, us.
Modern Fears and Illusions
Our fears of change, rejection, the unknown, failure, loneliness, dissatisfaction, and unmet expectations are illusions that have become overly significant in our lives. While desire undeniably influences these fears, they have overshadowed fear’s original purpose: survival and the preservation of our existence.
Mental Survival in the 21st Century
We still engage in the same primitive survival game, but today’s survival is more mental than physical. In the 21st century, we battle internal dangers and threats. The technological and scientific revolution has shifted our struggles from the external world to our minds.
Emptiness and the Human Spirit
Homo sapiens no longer strive to coexist with the external world; our focus has shifted to mental survival. Humanity, with its problem-solving tendencies, may even create challenges just to enjoy overcoming them. While we abhor pain, we also cannot tolerate emptiness.
Fear and the Freedom of Choice
The human spirit is unaccustomed to emptiness and the freedom of choice. We thrive under pressure. Fear, once selected by nature for survival, has become less useful in a world dominated by peace. Our violent nature, no longer expressed physically, threatens either our destruction or our evolution.
The Inner Predators
If violence once protected us from external threats, today’s predators reside within us. Can we protect ourselves from ourselves and our potential actions? This is a question we must explore.
The Future of Fear
We try to envision virtual dangers to validate fear, but how long can this continue? Is it possible that fear will eventually be selected out by nature and become obsolete? If fear’s only remaining role is in competition, isn’t that more closely related to greed, desire, and humanity’s inherent hunger for power and occupation? Can fear survive in the modern world? That is the question.
Written By: Habib Riden
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