Whispers in the Dark

We know the same life; we live the same life. We receive whispers on how things are and then on how they ought to be. These whispers form thoughts that cause either elation, depression, or indifference. Deeply held prejudices are a good precursor of how we interpret these thoughts.

For the pious, the whispers are sacred, and they hold them dear unto themselves, as if their life depends on it. Indeed, their life does depend on them. Falling off often shows a lack of faith that throws a spanner in the works and sends them into a deep abyss they have spent their lives avoiding, after being convinced of its existence from infancy. The grisly picture is too grotesque to even imagine, so small prayers are said under their breaths at night to be saved from themselves.

In their own way, life is a gift worth fighting for, and the most important way to protect it is to ensure it doesn’t end up in a dark place. It helps that they know this isn’t it – that this is a grisly game show where the undeserving are cast off at the end. The real show, as they say, is behind the curtains.

Then there are the indifferent. They couldn’t hold faith like the pious, so, as they say, “they broke out.” However, they acknowledge a deity from time to time and are careful not to insult Him. Because, really, if He listens and feels, then they certainly wouldn’t want to hurt His feelings, above all, they are egalitarian. This became a more believable religion for them to follow. Occasionally, they breathe a sigh of relief and thank God, not that they believe, but because they think someone has to be thanked when things go their way.

The indifferent are much more curious than the pious. The pious think they have the answers, but the indifferent think it’s a wrong answer or, rather, an answer arrived at too hastily. The indifferent often hold philosophical round-table discussions to support the widely held belief that life is a gift. They’re gnostic in behavior, but they hate labels, so they prefer to be called seekers of knowledge. They double down by asking, “Isn’t it why we’re all here? Aren’t we here to figure this out together? Why are we, then, the only ones doing all the heavy lifting? But we will carry all your crosses nonetheless.”

Is life a gift? Everyone found an answer, but it was deeply hewn in deep-held prejudices, so there were several billion answers.

And then there’s a group we would be too embarrassed to address – the kind that says asking such questions takes the fun out of everything. “Why not just breathe, eat, and sleep like every other creature under the dome of the earth, and stop damn questioning everything, you bloody snobs?” Ignorance is bliss.

Gifts tend to carry peculiar characteristics. Gifts are free; yes, and life is free, so at least that falls in line with the allegory. Gifts cause us happiness, sometimes bordering euphoria, and comforting warmth, because the giver shows they love us through the gifts. This is where the allegory shell cracks a little. Why? Maybe because many will confess life has been hard and laborious, and so you can shove your “life is a gift” allegory where the sun doesn’t shine.

Why does it hurt sometimes? Gifts don’t do that. Is happiness even worth it? And it isn’t uncommon that there is gravitation to absurdity and nihilism for as long as answers elude a generation. I say generation because every generation tends to carry prejudices different from the others. But optimism in ignorance is worth a chance.

Life can be all a gift is and even more. Think about it this way: aspirations, dreams, desires, passions, hope, faith, love – these are the fuel that helps this life better navigate the sometimes rough terrain. So, then, trudge on into another day. I dare say that’s a bedrock. We take it a notch higher because it ought not to be routine, or otherwise, we fall back into the old ways of seeking answers in the wrong places – that is, outside us.

Imagination, discovery, creation, and a sense of wonder are a shining light on a path worth taking, to not only be good people but great people. It shouldn’t be a mere routine that the sun takes the same direction every day. There is one who looks at it as a million chances to get things right. So, perception matters – sometimes above all else.

It’s funny enough that the world eventually yields to the stubborn and relentless, just to get them to stop asking. It makes them heroes, because it’s irked. So, dare annoy it by demanding what you deserve.