Saturday, May 15, 2021

Have faith!

Much of what we know comes from personal observation. 'Plato's Cave' comes to mind. 


If you're unfamiliar with the allegory:

The truth' is usually what we perceive as the truth. Depending on the time and place of your birth, you are raised with the notion that the faith of you and your parents is the best faith to have. It could be anything: the believe the world is ruled by an omnipotent being, that people with a different appearance are inferior to people who look like you, et cetera.

What Plato called a cave is nowedays referred to as 'a bubble'. If you don't look at the world outside your 'cave', all that exists is the world as you see it. Not everyone dares to step outside because it can be really, really scary to step outside your 'comfort zone'.
Leaving behind what you know can be frightening. But also exciting. Here are a few methods of stepping out of your 'cave'. Remember: once you left your 'cave', you probably won't feel comfortable in it ever again. Once you got in touch with people outside your bubble it becomes impossible to get back into your cave and imagine that cave is all there is.

But that's okay: you will make new friends, broaden your horizon, be able to help people step outside like you did. You will be able to learn. More about the planet, other people, yourself.

The free will bestowed upon us by our brain, God, nature or whatever power you wish to believe in, can help you to go on an adventure, to step outside your cave and explore what else is there, beyond the knowledge you already have.

Don't believe in free will because the concept lies outside your cave? Maybe you honestly believe everything that happens is predestined? Perhaps you want to consider this quote by Stephen Hawking:
If even once in your life you make a decision without the use of preconceived ideas, you have free will.
Come on, let's play outside! You won't be alone!

Could you take the step to leave your comfort zone? Have you already taken it? Are you still afraid to leave your bubble?

Let me know in the comments.


Want to read (more of) my short stories? My author page: Terrence Weijnschenk at Amazon

No comments: