Beliefs That Others Think Are Crazy!
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Hi, everyone! š
We are brought up in societies where all we are taught is to Boldfollow obediently without ever questioning the beliefs imposed on to us by those who are above us, be it the authorities, our parents or even the elder in the society. For some being told what to do, being guided and things being decided is much more easier than taking on the role of forging a path for oneself where none exists. We all have that call towards shaping our own world and experience according to our own perspective but few heed to that calling, and with the modern society development of that ability to heed that inner call is greatly limited by the fact that conformity is by the masses viewed as a virtue.
Just because we believe in something doesn't necessarily mean it is universally true. I believe it is upon all of us to heed to our inner voice, and let it guide us towards developing new beliefs. We are born a blank slate and all we can is learn from our parents and guardians, but that doesn't translate to always following what others think is best for us. When we start hearing that inner voice, it should be upon us to finally make the decision to use what we have learned so far as a guide towards discovering the world for ourselves, according to our own unique perspectives.
This belief in that we all should cease living according to what others think is among the few beliefs that I have and according to the many that I have shared with, they saw it as completely bonkers. They could not even entertain that we all in ourselves have the ability to decide what is best for us. Leading me to question the existence of brains in each and everyone of us?
According to Philosophers, unfortunately this is a pressure experienced by each and everyone of us, quoting Nietzsche; "It is the danger of dangers." Many are pressured into becoming;
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...a smaller, almost ridiculous type, a herd animal, something eager to please, sickly, and mediocre."
ā Friedrich Nietzsche
Source
A belief that contemplating about death, has psychological benefits. A conversation that always has everyone uneasy is a conversation of the undeniable fact that eventually we all cease to exist. That with each passing day we come close to it more and more. Especially coming from a christian background, comprehending this as a fact is something many don't want to do. Death is something we never talk about, it is something we should all be aware that it will happen but we should never contemplate it. Quoting Nietzsche in his publication The Gay Science;
How strange that this sole thing that is certain and common to all, exercises almost no influence on men, and that they are the furthest from regarding themselves as the brotherhood of death!
ā Friedrich Nietzsche
Personally despite it a real scare, I think it is healthy contemplating this thing that we all carry on our backs, a belief many don't agree but rather regard it is as the perfect manifestation of essentially being of the rails. Irvin Yalom in his book Existential Psychotherapy writes;
"Virtually every great thinker. . . has thought deeply and written about death; and many have concluded that death is inextricably a part of life, and that lifelong consideration of death enriches rather than impoverishes life.
...Though the physicality of death destroys an individual, the idea of death can save him."
ā Irvin Yalom
A belief *on despite solitude and isolation being scarly it is crucial. Well not for all.... The common argument is that we humans are social beings, and with that I don't disagree, but despite the deterioration of one's mental faculties, facing one's fear of being really alone is important to us making peace and getting to really know who we really are. Of course it is not crucial for all of us to be self aware of have that deeper understanding of what lies behind our actions and our motivations but for some of us, failure to do so means we will never be fully at peace, for even being surrounded by others, we always feel alone.
But solitude is not for every each one of us. There is a danger of being overtaken by one's demons after spending too much time alone, leading solitude to be a great curse weighing heavily on us. For in solitude there arises a crisis, unfortunately many cannot navigate, but would be destroyed, reading Nietzsche to arguing, in Thus Spoke Zarathustra;
"...many should be dissuaded from solitude."
Seeking solitude as a way of life, doesn't mean there is anything crazy with that. It is just for some of us, satisfaction doesn't necessarily come from human interactions but rather from the interactions with one's thoughts and creations. This is especially for those of us who are introverted.
But despite having not so conventional beliefs, I am at a stage in life where I wouldn't change so as to fit in. For I have experienced the agony of being lost in what others thought was best for me, and despite how hard it gets, the pain of knowing that deep down my life is rather not mine will always be more unbearable.
... see you all in my next update!
Be brave to stand for what you believe in even if you stand alone.
ā Roy T. Bennett
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