Very ironic, that on the day the world celebrates “love”, a massacre happens.
I had written about this in the past, and I don’t think I will stop writing or thinking about this. Those who die are my fellowmen, and even if it be in that limited sense, my family.
I’d like to look at this from a different perspective. Think not the NRA, the gun laws, the guns .. no lets think deeper. What state of mind does a person have to be in to inflict this level of violence? All kinds of analysis can be done and laws and drugs formulated, but what provokes this mindset, this deep hatred? This hatred is not new, its been around has been the cause of wars and destruction of civilizations and the sages from eons ago have contemplated this.
“For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.” – The Gita
What are we told to pursue. Practically all messages, or quotes, or inspirations on any social media, points to one thing. To succeed. At all costs. We show people from poor backgrounds, working hard, failing and eventually… succeeding. And how do we see that success. By the millions we make, the number of followers we have, the fame we have achieved.. Success is in quantity and we spare no effort to glorify that. And if you don’t, then work harder, try harder, attend this seminar, invest there, learn this, join this group…
“Life’s not about how hard of a hit you can give… it’s about how many you can take, and still keep moving forward.”
― Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa
Where is this moving forward going to take us? Can there just be, just might be something wrong with this picture?
We see that many, nay, everyone aspires for this. In Educational institutions, in synagogues, in “self help” books, at our work place, even at the local park when talking to a neighbor, we are systematically taught and trained to be the best. Get the best school, best college, best church, best clothes, best phones, best jobs, best girl/boy friends, best bodies, best deal…..
But what happens when one cannot? And there are many, most, who cannot. A very very small, insignificant percentage “make it” by the standards our society has set. A majority don’t.
And when we don’t, we either get frustrated, or we give up. But will this stop the voices of the millions in the Colosseum rooting for you to “keep moving forward”? No! So we try more. And when we get exhausted, take some anti-anxiety pills (opioid addiction anyone?), drink this, wear this, learn this. But..keep moving.
Else you are a failure.
This our egos, inflated by the false promises of the aforementioned institutions, cannot take. A lot of finger pointing happens. But who cares about your finger pointing? Who cares about you if you are not “contributing”. Why would anyone like your post on Facebook or LinkedIn? Why would anyone listen to your pleas for a little appreciation?
Unfortunately some find guns and violence as the easiest way to prove I am worth something. Some use it on themselves — if you did not pay attention to me, I end this existence. Some use it on others, their way of saying, I count..
So should we blame the NRA, or instead the perverted and increasingly degraded leadership, the unbridled avarice of the corporate, the shallowness of our education system, and our twisted values in society?
I feel we need to a take serious look at the latter. To revive ourselves, to be conscious that joy is to be found in the simplest of things, to deepen our understanding and relation with God, to seek pleasure in the pleasures of others. To believe that success and happiness is in giving and sharing, loving and caring, serving .. in being who we really are.
Till we get there, we will always be.. under the gun.