Stars and Stamina and Serendipity and Soulfulness

People are now depressed for entirely different reasons. We are not disparaged, told we are ugly, damaged, worthless, or incapable of thought. We are commended for simple, stupid undertakings. We are complimented conventionally and regularly. We are told that we are stars.

This puts people under the same pressure as any star. Worried that after the star has burned out, we'll be shoved out to sea in a leaking canoe.

And quite a few of us burn out too quickly.

Simultaneously, expectations have been lowered to accommodate the fragile average joes, and raised to challenge the truly exceptional. We are torn, divided, and conquered. We are inwardly focussed.

I am a self-absorbed nit. But I have noticed a few things. I have tried, despite life-long indoctrination, to think outside my own petty universe. When I do this, I am never upset. I never cry, or rage, or burn things. When I merely observe, and observe with avid interest, I do not feel anything. I merely absorb. It is only when I think in relation to myself that the feelings flood and threaten to sweep me away. Finding the balance between selfless observation and selfish contemplation is crucial.

My advice is not to be a star. Be the furthest thing from a star. Be the audience. There are things in this world that make me want to throw myself into the ocean. There are things in this world that make me laugh, and things that make me never want to close my eyes again. I have seen things that have caused joy, wonderful elation so far beyond even the bliss of contentment.

So many stars have brought me joy. I am enjoying the show.

But I still sort of want to be on the stage.