Good stuff, Arathy! I especially appreciate and resonate with how you point out acknowledging my smallness is liberating; in that it takes the pressure off. Years ago I read about an old Jewish story what you shared reminds me of. It's that a rabi carried two notes with him to remind him of his place and purpose in the world. One read, "For me the world was created." The other one reminded him, "I am nothing more than dust and ashes." I think there's something powerful about living in the tension between these two; which I read Einstein as alluding to (I love that quote). We are simultaneously dust in the wind, and once in the history of ever miracles of consciousness (and beyond). I'd love to hear what you think. 🫶🏽
That's a beautiful story! True liberation only comes when we realize our small place in the universe. With this realization, we can set our egos aside and focus on making the world a better place for everyone :)
. . . after close to 50 years of trying. . . this man is TIRED. . . and not like the “oh I just need a nap” kinda tired. . .I mean the “hopefully I don't wake up tomorrow” kinda tired.
Lol at least then I won't have to worry about struggling to make things better. .or pay for permission to share a planet none of us actually own.
Most of my optimism died along with my father when I saw him get murdered for his motorcycle years ago. . .so you'll have to be optimistic for the both of us. . .I honestly have no faith left for humans.
Appreciated. . . his murder taught me a lot. .it taught me that it doesn't matter who you are as the world goes on with or without you. . . and it taught me that bill collectors don't give a shit if you do die. . .they still want their money ✊🏾🖖🏾.
Yes! I've stumbled across the trend of 'be the main character' and 'romanticize your life'. I wonder, if by giving too much importance to our character, we might be losing our flexible self. Ironically, I think being the main character reduces us to something two dimensional. There is probably more to life.
Nowadays, almost everyone on social media makes it a point to prove that they are the most important person whose opinions should be taken seriously because they are the only one who’s right.
Even in our scriptures, we are made aware about the vastness of cosmos and our gods. We are just a particle of dust in front of them.
I am reminded of the following Osho quote after seeing your post title.
"To be ordinary is the most extraordinary thing in the world". He explains that being ordinary is extraordinary because "everybody wants to be extraordinary. Nobody wants to be ordinary". The very act of accepting one's ordinariness goes against the common desire to be special, making it unique.
i just recently bought this book and I wonder if people choose the main character route in digital life due to lack of options to do that in the physical world?
I would like to say that we each are the main characters of our stories but there is a huge difference between the healthy humble version versus the unhealthy narcissistic version.
They usually are inversely related.
So I totally agree with this and also the opposite also at the same time.
Seeing the world in its fullness is the key to wisdom and every kind of education. It’s also what’s missing from from the average foolishness.
Yup, It's liberating to realize that you're not as important as you might think—it helps you shed your ego.
Well said. I would add: and all of this is not important:) Enjoyed your take.
Haha yes!
This needed to be said! There was something about the whole main character trend that never sat well with me, and you explained it so eloquently!
Yeah, that trend has always rubbed me the wrong way too :/
Thank you for reading :)
So true and said so well! Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for reading :)
Lovely and true.
Good stuff, Arathy! I especially appreciate and resonate with how you point out acknowledging my smallness is liberating; in that it takes the pressure off. Years ago I read about an old Jewish story what you shared reminds me of. It's that a rabi carried two notes with him to remind him of his place and purpose in the world. One read, "For me the world was created." The other one reminded him, "I am nothing more than dust and ashes." I think there's something powerful about living in the tension between these two; which I read Einstein as alluding to (I love that quote). We are simultaneously dust in the wind, and once in the history of ever miracles of consciousness (and beyond). I'd love to hear what you think. 🫶🏽
That's a beautiful story! True liberation only comes when we realize our small place in the universe. With this realization, we can set our egos aside and focus on making the world a better place for everyone :)
Yes! Well said. 🫶🏽 Getting the ego into its proper place is such a huge part of our liberation.
Lmfao humanities lust for money and power will continue to make this impossible!!!
As our collective actions of self destruction continue to prove.
I know, but there's still hope. If we try, we can become better.
. . . after close to 50 years of trying. . . this man is TIRED. . . and not like the “oh I just need a nap” kinda tired. . .I mean the “hopefully I don't wake up tomorrow” kinda tired.
Lol at least then I won't have to worry about struggling to make things better. .or pay for permission to share a planet none of us actually own.
I understand, but let's stay optimistic—we've got this! 💪
Most of my optimism died along with my father when I saw him get murdered for his motorcycle years ago. . .so you'll have to be optimistic for the both of us. . .I honestly have no faith left for humans.
Sorry for your loss 😓
Appreciated. . . his murder taught me a lot. .it taught me that it doesn't matter who you are as the world goes on with or without you. . . and it taught me that bill collectors don't give a shit if you do die. . .they still want their money ✊🏾🖖🏾.
Yes! I've stumbled across the trend of 'be the main character' and 'romanticize your life'. I wonder, if by giving too much importance to our character, we might be losing our flexible self. Ironically, I think being the main character reduces us to something two dimensional. There is probably more to life.
Exactly what I wanted to say, you put it perfectly :)
the constant spectre of death might make us remember too how small we are compared to the world we live in and the universe we inhabit. ;)
Yes!
So true!!
Nowadays, almost everyone on social media makes it a point to prove that they are the most important person whose opinions should be taken seriously because they are the only one who’s right.
Even in our scriptures, we are made aware about the vastness of cosmos and our gods. We are just a particle of dust in front of them.
As always, a great read!!✨
Thanks!!☺️
very nice post! I enjoy being an NPC, haha!
I am reminded of the following Osho quote after seeing your post title.
"To be ordinary is the most extraordinary thing in the world". He explains that being ordinary is extraordinary because "everybody wants to be extraordinary. Nobody wants to be ordinary". The very act of accepting one's ordinariness goes against the common desire to be special, making it unique.
i just recently bought this book and I wonder if people choose the main character route in digital life due to lack of options to do that in the physical world?
https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-extinction-of-experience-being-human-in-a-disembodied-world-christine-rosen/21044054
Love that quote from osho! Being normal makes you stand out more nowadays lol
maybe better than okay, maybe optimal! Great work, very fun read
I would like to say that we each are the main characters of our stories but there is a huge difference between the healthy humble version versus the unhealthy narcissistic version.
They usually are inversely related.
So I totally agree with this and also the opposite also at the same time.
Any person who thinks of themselves as the only person on the entire Intenet would be deluded, yes.
Sharks are older than Polaris. Are sharks the main character then?
Damn I didn't know that, thanks for the info!
very well said 🤩