Here's what I'm thinking.
We are all in the middle of a story at any give moment. We're both the protagonist and the antagonist, given the time or place or emotional conditions. Even if we're at the end of a chapter, a page is about to turn that may invite new plot twists previously unimaginable.
But here's the thing: we're also the authors. Sure we have contributors, self-proclaimed editors and out and out story stoppers making an appearance all the time. But still, it's our name on the cover of our own books which leads me to this:
It's all, every single minute of it, a story that we're making up as we go along. And that leads me to this:
The story is full of distortions and various shades of color that we add each time we return to a previously concocted memory.
So our memories are the stories that we make up in order to justify our emotions or our existence.
And that is why it all feels like one grand illusion, because it is.
Now even though we are crafting our stories, that does not mean that we understand them. The real underlying purpose beneath our prose may not be very clear even to us.
So we turn to shrinks and priests and rabbis and mates and friends and worst of all, enemies to tell us what our story really means. And you know what that is? It's peeking at the end and you know what that does?
But here is the thing: it won't mean anything until you write, "The End." The obituary writers have the easiest task of all: they get to tell us the themes and purpose of our lives. They get to pull together all the pieces to be able to make clear our beginnings, middles and ends.
So in those terrible moments of identity crisis anxiety, where nothing seems to make sense, or everything seems negative, relentlessly unfair and even brutal at times, remember this: you are just writing another page of your story. It is not the whole book or even the chapter. It may in fact just be a single paragraph, sentence or word.
And your own interpretation of the facts is probably warped or biased or both.
We're always in a hurry to get to the finish line. That's what sex is all about and as soon as we get there, what do we immediately want? To do it again.
Nothing can satisfy us fully. Not sex, not Ben or Jerry, not the next iphone or trendy statement fashion item.
Everything in the physical realm is just a band-aid for the never closing wound of the open soul.
Nothing is in our control. Like Sarah Silverman said we're just molecules racing through time.
Nature is either holding us back and forcing us to propel forward with every increasing velocity.
Life is all a magic trick folks. Now you see us. Now you don't. We magically appear and then we slowly but surely disappear until we are nothing more than a casual memory to most; a significant one to the loved ones left behind who have inherited the symbolism of who we were by inserting us into the story of who they think or hope we are.
So...this novel life of ours is nothing more than a novelty. A gift really. One shot at being creative geniuses because that's what each and everyone of us are: rich, poor, brilliant, slow, sick or healthy.
We are play-wrights and playing is our rite and all that there really is.
We have long lost in this country one very important part of our declaration: the pursuit of happiness.
We pursue stuff now. We accumulate. We gather. We horde.
But we don't laugh like we used to. And there is no comedy at the moment that used to rescue us and help us make it through tragedies and world wars.
Comedy today almost seems quaint and once upon a time now, having been replaced by snarky comments, public embarrassment, humiliation, overly wry observations and narrated journeys about body functions.
I don't know about you but that sounds like pre-school to me.
So: go forth and write your saga and do yourself a favor: let the light of happiness and glee filter in and fall on your brow like morning rain. Your story is not your fault. It's not even who you are.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.