Hello Tartans,
Something I have noticed in my day-to-day life is that no one is optimistic anymore, as the world crumbles around us. I can’t say I have much hope either, but knowing that there is always at least a small chance of redemption brings me to life.
Everything we see in our country today is dangerous and helps no one. It’s gotten to a point where it can’t end in one day; this will take time and effort and it makes people feel hopeless.
Don’t get me wrong, I am scared for my life and the lives of countless others in my communities.
While everything is uncertain and dangerous, I hold a piece of the sun close to my heart: while I am not dead, I can help. How? This spec of the sun shoots beams of light and love anywhere I go, not because I am naturally joyful.
I have such an angry and violent mind, but I remember the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Treat others as I would like to be treated by them. I will say right now that during times of hostility and uncertainty, all I want to be faced with is love and hope.
It takes effort to change what you give to others, especially when you receive the opposite.
I have not always been kind, I have not always been friendly or open-minded. But while I grew up with violence, it’s my sole responsibility as an individual to reflect on how I felt through those times and recognize if it’s something I want others to feel as well.
I recognize that I am the only one who has control over my thoughts and actions. If I don’t want to think, feel or act a certain way, I must take time to sit with that and come up with new ways to think, feel and act.
Being mindful that you are responsible for your actions and that anyone else is only responsible for themselves helps. A lot of blame gets tossed around because no one likes accountability. Still, accountability shows that one is an honest person who is aware of their actions and is either okay with how they are or strives to better themselves.
Becoming who you want to be, who you are meant to be, is a long process that doesn’t happen overnight, but it won’t happen at all if you put no effort towards your goals. Many people will sit and say, “I will do it tomorrow.” Trust me, I am one of them, but just taking 5-10 minutes out of my day to get myself just a little closer every day ends with me ahead of 80% of the people I meet.
In addiction recovery, my mom was always told by relatives, “Well, I hope you stay on this path, you’re doing well,” and she would respond, “Hope isn’t a strategy.” This means that you can’t just wish for things to happen. Real effort must be put into achieving any goal.
I ultimately found peace in stoicism and Marcus Aurelius’ teachings, “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Stoicism led me to Buddhism and I realised I value inner peace. While I am only in control of myself, it hurts to see others struggling. The best I can do to help is to talk with them and tell them what has helped me.
Lastly, I will share this:
Humans are inherently full of love, but we lose this on our way to adulthood due to things we see and experience. There is a belief that we are inherently evil. If this is true, I’m on a constant journey towards redemption. If we are born tainted, I have felt it, but I have seen peace and love.
I believe that we are born good, hurt by the world and searching for peace at last. While this can happen individually, how much more powerful is it when everyone you know cares for one another? That is all.
Atticus Fries, Copy Editor
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