THE DIFFERENCE

            Ever since I was a very small child, I have observed the lives of the majority of fellow humans with mild astonishment. Now some of them work merely to survive, but many of them assign to themselves tasks that fill nearly their every moment with minutiae, triviality, and endlessly repeating miniscule detail. They do this, apparently, because they see the majority of others do this, and then somehow conclude that they "should" do so as well. It would appear that such is their "logic," as if such a term could possibly apply.

            Hence I view most human lives as those of hamsters on a hamster wheel, running faster with each new self-assignment. Early on, I realized that I am not a hamster, that I have no need or wish to pile on an endless list of self-assignments, all in order to live as meaningless a life as those I see all around me. If my life were to be no more than a carbon copy of everyone else's, then why should I bother to exist at all, if I cannot create something unique?

            I favor a contemplative life, with more than ample time to ponder the enriching beauty of a summer's day, or the infinite majesty of the universe.

            While others are driving kids around interminably, or playing ball with them, or sitting through excruciatingly mind-numbing meetings, I am reading or writing enriching novels and short stories, or essays like this one. While others are jogging uselessly through areas safe or otherwise, I am aiming my telescope at my beloved planetary neighbors from my secure balcony. While others mindlessly stare at televised sports or award shows, I study uplifting Star Trek series or other dramas likewise absorbing.

            I conclude that most do not wish to contemplate the larger reality of existence, and instead choose to have their every moment filled with minor miseries aimed at distracting them from the frightening grandeur of our true existence.