Human Frailty

December 22nd 2011

Most people go through life refusing to see things as they are. We ignore harsh truths and take refuge in the fact that reality has not yet managed to touch us because it's almost as if we're happy that way. When I received information that my best friend's father had just passed away I honestly didn't believe it was true. As sick as this may seem, I thought it was a joke. But the more I thought about it, the more I realised how ignorant I was being. I don't think reality ever gives us an experience to learn from, it just allows us to be completely ignorant of the truth because that way we're happy. When something tragic happens in your life it's almost as if everything grinds to a halt. Like your life is on standby. And yet, that's not true at all. The world carries on spinning and people carry on with their lives because as tragic as your circumstance is, the prospect of human frailty scares everyone and we would do anything not to be apart of it. I've been best friends with Beth for 14 years. And when she told me this news I think we both expected me to say something worthwhile, something almost inspirational to get her through. But I couldn't think of any thing to say. You hear of these things happening to other people and you feel empathy. But the news passes over you like a cloud and you get on with your life unaffected. It's like watching a sad movie. You feel empathy with the characters but when the credits role you resume your life. What do you do when the sad movie is your reality? The screen of your life isn't going to turn black and sad music isn't going to play. You're going to have to carry on like every body else. And you will get by, and eventually you'll be like every body else again. Gliding blindly through life. The experience won't make you more aware of reality. Even with this knowledge we go back to the beginning only to make the same mistakes.