It is frightening to consider how easy it could be to find oneself homeless. In a society that seems so divided by the haves and have-nots, how do we maintain a confidence to live life to the full, without being paralysed by the fear of becoming destitute?
First of all it seems necessary to identify what it means to live a full life. If we interpret this to mean seeking and maintaining a materially lavish existence, then feelings of fear will probably follow; because the notion of not-having is defined by the notion of having. If I am materially rich, I need only imagine losing all my cherished possessions to become panic-stricken. By comparing myself hierarchically to those who are situated 'above' and 'below' me, I feel constant pressure just to stay afloat. A social system that promotes a sense of community development rather than individual competition, will immediately eradicate the need for this debilitating fear.
So we begin to access a reasoning for why we should dispel fear from our societal interactions: By ignoring fear, convincing ourselves that material gains might be the answer, it seems we are not free to feel alive. We perpetuate further these insecurities, and begin to trust less, not more, in humanity and the concept of equality in society.
So how can we dispel this fear? Below I suggest some characteristics that, if adopted, might allow for a fuller, freer, less fearful mortal existence:
Compassion and love.
Mindfulness and tolerance.
Humility and grace.
Consideration and patience.
Respect and dignity.
Wisdom and learning.
One thing that all these traits have in common, is human freeness. They are all acquired freely, and they all want freedom. Because this benevolent environment cares little for the randomness of material wealth distribution, the participants become a thriving social network, bathed in a constant desire to promote equality as they go about their lives. The idea that anyone be impotent to control her own life evaporates. That temptation to resign our fate to chance, dissolves into a feeling of self-empowered opportunity. The fear becomes excitement at the real possibilities for us all to prosper. And crucially, to find this prosperity by encouraging others*, not fighting them.
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*others can also be thought of as the Other. The Other standing for everything that becomes excluded when we set up defined groups with membership requirements that permamently defines some human beings as more significant than others. Xref. Slavoj Zizek and his concept of the Big Other that constantly tries to impose its agenda upon the individual trying to fulfil her true potential.
So we begin to access a reasoning for why we should dispel fear from our societal interactions: By ignoring fear, convincing ourselves that material gains might be the answer, it seems we are not free to feel alive. We perpetuate further these insecurities, and begin to trust less, not more, in humanity and the concept of equality in society.
So how can we dispel this fear? Below I suggest some characteristics that, if adopted, might allow for a fuller, freer, less fearful mortal existence:
Compassion and love.
Mindfulness and tolerance.
Humility and grace.
Consideration and patience.
Respect and dignity.
Wisdom and learning.
One thing that all these traits have in common, is human freeness. They are all acquired freely, and they all want freedom. Because this benevolent environment cares little for the randomness of material wealth distribution, the participants become a thriving social network, bathed in a constant desire to promote equality as they go about their lives. The idea that anyone be impotent to control her own life evaporates. That temptation to resign our fate to chance, dissolves into a feeling of self-empowered opportunity. The fear becomes excitement at the real possibilities for us all to prosper. And crucially, to find this prosperity by encouraging others*, not fighting them.
_________________________________________________
*others can also be thought of as the Other. The Other standing for everything that becomes excluded when we set up defined groups with membership requirements that permamently defines some human beings as more significant than others. Xref. Slavoj Zizek and his concept of the Big Other that constantly tries to impose its agenda upon the individual trying to fulfil her true potential.
