Why do we Have to Battle with Ourselves First?

The strangeness of this dimly lit room and the forced sessions with oneself, an interaction unlike anything else, for the daily attire with life and everything that is, we are a species that is left to endure until one can no longer.

So many are in pain, bridges laid into empty pathways, counselors weeping after listening—that even the hope factor shies away, leaving us with nothing but a torn silk and a few pennies to our name.

But why is it, that we have to battle with ourselves first, let alone face anything outside of us?

The answer perhaps lies with the way we have been designed. Just as the survival instinct kicks in for the cells, to thrive despite facing impending dangers from novel forces, it is us, always have been, to respond solely with what we have—our beautiful lives that interweave with everything around, but left in isolation to deal with everything that it presents. And of course (forever grateful) the medical field will help, but the most immediate line of defense seemed to be that of us, in nakedness.

But, to the soul which has had to live through so much, words would never be able to describe or what is pain, if it’s not in the daily breath of winter and summer alike.

Maybe there is more to it, and everything that is, a segmentation of the greater part of life that if unveiled, may lead to the ‘getting answers’ quotient being met. So why all the pain first?

It turns out, and as the old saying goes, ‘we came into this world alone and alone we shall go’ carries some notion of explanation, most critically, in between life and death, that we have to face everything ourselves.

It’s most certainly a race for survival, and strong are those who perhaps make it through the ups and downs in the everyday storms that overshadow. But strong were also, those who could not make it to the end. Did we ever get up and think about what could have gone wrong that one just gave up on life?

Each day unfolds a hundred new emotions, and with everything new, there is only so much that a person can endure. And for things to change, we certainly have to get in the culture of caring about our neighbors too, as not everyone can be strong every day.

The curtain closes in, and that is perhaps the time most of us live in fear of. You see, one will be left alone, in silence, and everything painful—and the syringe of hope will look near yet undeniably far.

But in everything tragic, there is a flavor of hope that is to emerge. An event as such would make us even stronger, and maybe immune to future attacks on our soul.

So light a candle or help the person next door, or get up and write about everything that bothers you, but please, please never give up on this precious gift of life. It’s only here to stay for once.

-Yogesh Chandra