Thoughts about living on the Great Despair…
Lately I have been feeling that I have to try harder to feel connected with society, Is like our good nature is hiding behind this reality of non-stop violence, like we are numbing ourselves to be able to survive. Not only because we, as humans, are existing in a constant state of pain; Feeling emptier and lonely. But also because are being offered a lifestyle were our value depends on what we own. And we look at the news and is impossible not to feel that we live in a tragicomedy where so many times things don’t really make any sense!
And meanwhile we keep existing, trapped in a system that is sustained by our unhappiness, our indifference, our hate, our numbness. A system where we only get freedom through, money… Feel bad? feel small? feel trapped ? work, work work, (until your body is so tired your brain doesn’t want to think anymore) then compensate by buying. Try to buy your happiness. And keep buying in an attempt to claim your freedom. Devote your life to earn ( not to grow , not to learn. , not to share, not to be happy … you’re too tired for that !)
Is unfair though, that some of the most hardworking individuals will never get to enjoy they real earnings of their work because their life’s are deemed as less valuable and their hard work is unrecognised by this society. Which jobs add more value to society? Who assigns the value?. To work is to give your life in exchange for money. So why do some lives are worth more than others ?
As an artist I feel that (perhaps in an unconscious way) Society punishes us for choosing happiness over money. For choosing to add value to society through offering connection. Arts are a comfort blanket for our sore human emotions. This is why Arts are so powerful. Because they don’t really sell anything. Because they are a reminder of connecting with your humanity. Because they allow you to feel, to remember.
That is not to say that we scape the race, as we are constrained to exist in this society where money is necessary for surviving and for adding a societal value to our lives; our opportunities and future depend on it. (There’s not really an alternative).
Luckily there are also glimpses of all good thing human nature can create and is capable of doing, our amazing curiosity, our creativity, our capacity for love…
I see the birds and the trees, existing, doing their thing, just being! and I wonder.. why do we have to pay to exist? In this system, choosing to be happy, kind, empathic, it’s an act of rebellion. So against all odds, be a rebel. Recognise in the other your humanity, your struggle, your sadness, And be kind.