Escaping the Matrix
Musings on Mediocrity and the Cosmic Humor of Trying Too Hard
Dear Reader,
Have you ever found yourself trapped in a never-ending cycle of mediocrity? No matter how much effort you pour into your art and endeavors, you still feel stuck in the same repetitive loop? Do you sometimes gaze at other people's lives with envy or simply yearn to know what it feels like to be truly fulfilled and satisfied?
It's all too easy to attach our sense of worth to material possessions or achievements. We might convince ourselves that if we have, do, or succeed in a certain way, then we'll finally experience that elusive sense of fulfillment. For instance, in my case, I often tell myself that once I publish my book, I can rightfully call myself a real writer, and people will want to follow me and hear my thoughts. Or if I attain a certain level of skill, then I'll be recognized as qualified. This desire for external validation can lead us into a relentless pursuit of something that always seems just out of reach.
Perhaps this is why some of the happiest people in the world are those who have very little and live in small, close-knit communities. They find their magic in direct communion with the essence of life itself.
Yes, even I, who spend most of my time living like a hermit, can't help but envy the simplicity of a monk's life at times. There are moments when I fully embody the sacred art of simply "being" and am profoundly grateful for everything that surrounds me. But then, like clockwork, I get sucked into another loop of the mundane. While routine and familiarity offer a sense of security and stability, they can also lead to monotony and a yearning for something more.
As a creative soul, I can't bear the thought of a dull, humdrum existence. Yet, at the same time, there's a certain comfort in not constantly struggling to survive. Have you ever felt that we are often presented with two options: A. to hustle relentlessly or B. to make sacrifices? It seems that the closer we come to releasing our attachments, the more the universe tests us—specifically, our egos. The higher we soar into moments of ecstasy, the more we feel the pull of gravity, grounding us in reality.
How is it that some people seem to be blessed with success and beauty while others struggle just to make ends meet? Is it Karma? Is it fate or destiny? Or could it simply be sheer dumb luck and the time and place in history where one happens to exist? Does anyone else feel inherently prone to failure (any other 3/5 profiles out there)?
Recently, I sat at my altar with a heart heavy with despair, seeking to unburden myself. I reached back into my memories, trying to grasp the feeling of immense gratitude that once caused me to bloom. I realized that every day is a new day—a day filled with magic for some and mundane routines for others. Despite my efforts, I couldn't surrender to the moment, and right there, I knew I had set myself up for potential failure.
It often seems that the harder we TRY to achieve something, the more elusive it becomes. One might think that the more we actively seek something, the greater our chances of finding it. However, it's often when we stop searching and simply embrace the present moment that what we seek magically appears. It's a lesson in not chasing but attracting, and perhaps it's the cosmic humor of the universe. Yet, despite this philosophy being prevalent in new age teachings, we still strive to achieve and "do" things. It's as if we're caught in the paradox of trying to not try, and the saying "to try is to fail" suddenly makes sense, along with the infamous motto "just do it."
Am I alone in thinking that our reality is a conundrum and ironic at best? Though, I must admit, I'm not sure I can truly imagine a world where everything just makes sense. Can a Utopia even exist? So here's a call to action for you, dear readers—a creative prompt. What does your Utopia look like, and how does it function? Who resides there, and what does it feel like to be part of that world?
I eagerly await your responses and the unique visions you'll share.
With curiosity and reflection,
BOOK LAUNCH EVENT & BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
