If life were fair, good things would come to good people and people who break the rules would suffer the consequences. People who lead dangerous but exciting lives would live the action packed existence that they strive for, however short that may be. Whereas those that choose to do all the right things: work hard, achieve well, marry, buy a house, raise beautiful children, accumulate friends just through sheer and genuine niceness would live long productive and rewarding lives. If life were fair only fat people would have heart attacks, only smokers would get lung cancer, only drunk drivers would suffer disfigurement and amputations. If life were fair good people wouldn’t be prone to random, nonsensical occurrences that take lives.
If life were fair my dear nephew, who was taught from a young age to “Always be the best you can be, because as long as you’re trying your hardest then nobody can ask anything more of you.”, would still be alive today.
But life is not fair. If anything, it is random. We may wonder what point there is to striving to live a good, purposeful life. Especially when we witness what can only be described as a crime against humanity (When a young man strives to live a good life and by all accounts he is achieving such, when that young man suddenly dies, so many others are suddenly affected; THAT is a crime against humanity.) I know there will be some that take the attitude “What’s the point? Why make the effort to do all the right things, to live a decent life and set a good example? Especially when it can all be taken from you in an instant!”
The answer is simple: Because we should; if only to give meaning to those before us who have done so. To prove that life IS a blessing. To show that they DID make an impact in this world!
Life is NOT fair, but maybe it’s not supposed to be. Maybe THAT’s the point. We shouldn’t expect life to be all cookies and cream just because we’re nice people that do nice things. We should expect to have to strive to achieve so that we value and appreciate what we receive as opposed to taking the good things in life for granted. Life is NOT fair. Sometimes I wish it was, but I do understand that things can’t be how I want them to be simply because that’s how I want it.
There are so many things in life that can be such a struggle to understand, but one thing I am aware of is that nobody has a greater influence on my life than I do. Despite the unfairness we sometimes witness and are subjected to we still have more control on our own situations than any other force of nature or God. I will strive to live what I consider to be a worthwhile existence simply because I can. I will do so because I refuse to accept any defeatist notion that I am at the mercy of lifes cruel and unfair whims. I will do so as a sign of respect to all those who have had a positive influence on my life. I will do so as an example to those I love, that life is ours to live.
Ia manuia lou malaga – safety and well being on your journey
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”
― Dr. Seuss
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
― Dr. Seuss
May your soul now in heaven, be a guardian angel of those you love still on earth, and those still on earth, continue to honour and love your soul.
Thank you Amy, nice quotes, they really do hit the spot