"Sir, what is it like to be human?" he asked.
No answer. He stared up for a while, and subsequently continued on his journey, amassing money, spending his days working, following culture, growing old and weak. He was past 30, and the decay phase had just started. Yet, he was just as undecided about his future as he was 20 years earlier. He was building brick houses, driving motorized cars and playing poker. He had left the quiet suburban area for the infernal pandemonium of the city, as confident in his choice as he was in his life. However rich and renowned he had become, he couldn't possibly talk about his goals, for he had none.
He followed the masses, applied conventional wisdom, watched the right shows and read the right books. He engaged in no creative enterprises, nor had he ever thought of life in an immaterial way. His average day was divided between 12 hours of trading, six hours of sleep, three hours of commuting and three hours of leisure time -- that is, TV watching and social networking. He was too busy to live, too preoccupied to find a drive.
He might be me, or you for that matter. This man embodies what most of us dream of: wealth and situation. From a different standpoint, he might as well represent the result of greed and gregariousness. After all, what are wealth and fame when confronted with death? "Your words are wise, yet you do not seem to have any alternative to such a situation," would be the instinctive answer to anyone with such a remark. And this is why I suggest we discuss such alternatives throughout this modest piece of writing.
Create. Leave a mark on this planet through original work and distinguished endeavors. Whether it is through writing, architecture, engineering, art, cinema or debates, try and innovate in order for your name to be associated with some kind of novelty. We, as humans, are gifted with the wonderful talent of creation, and shall by all means make good use of it. It is, of course, my own and personal opinion; however, you are free to adopt it as well if you will. There is no such thing as feeling useful and different, however satisfied people might ever pretend to be with lackluster yet lucrative businesses. The path to success is most certainly long and painstaking, but the endgame is worth it.
Think. For the sake of your own well-being, push your brain to its very boundaries. Seek the big picture, visualize your surroundings in a different way, and get as far from your body as allowed by your sanity. Aren't you then awestruck by the immensity of the universe; don't you feel breathless after having observed the established order of Nature? I encourage you to look out for this feeling; once you'll have felt miserable and insignificant, your life should become meaningful. In my most honest opinion, it is by understanding our ignorance that we will all act together towards its reduction.
Engage. I beg you to do so. Whatever great project you might be having for yourself or for others, please carry it to its ending, and witness its repercussions with pride. Were we to live in a world where every endeavor had been thoroughly fulfilled, I wonder how different such a place would look. And above all, I cannot yet express my guess as to whether it would really be for the better... For the time being, let us all consecrate our bodies and souls to the pursuit of our goals, however unrealistic they might be, and let us not regret our uncertain decisions.
