Options

We all have plans. We arrange our lives to facilitate meeting the objectives of those plans. We strike out on the path, we alter the trajectory as we travel to correct for bad judgement and poor foresight. We think with the benefit of hindsight that we’ll do it differently this time, the path stuck to, the objectives met. Everything, is meticulously planned, every step analysed, every decision poured over, every precaution taken to preserve, to ensure, that the objective is achieved. And we continue and find that we’ve taken it all for granted. The path has been changed. Rapidly sliding off course. Repair mechanisms fail. Something is awry. And then one wakes up. And finds that the objectives are no longer achievable. No amount of correction can alter the path, recreate the trajectory. But with time, if one has good fortune, new objectives are discovered, new paths set out on. And the one thing that is never learnt from hindsight is that no measure of planning, analysis, or preservation will prove effectual in the face of reality. But for those of a lesser fortune, they wake up and find that there is nothing. No new objectives. No paths to create or resurrect. No trajectory to busy oneself with. What then? Oh there are plenty of options. In fact, this soul could choose any direction, any path, any objective. But if they want none? Where is the appeal? How envious this position.

It is said that the upside of losing everything is that you find yourself. But what is there is nothing there? The nature of the human being is that he is the sum of his needs, wants and desires. Needs, well you can’t argue with that, we all need to eat. But wants and desires? What if nothing remains? What if upon losing all those things you think you wanted leads you to the realisation that not only do you have absolutely no idea what it is you want but that in reality you are not sure if you even want anything at all? And worse still, if this situation persists.

It is clear. The upside of being happy is that you work to maintain it. The upside of sadness is that you work to remove it. The upside of anger is that you work to direct it. The upside of tranquillity is that you work to find it. But the upside of nothingness is nothing – so how should one work?

Oh there are always vague notions of wanting to better oneself, serve humanity, work for food... But that should one choose to do when faced with a lack of objectives. Do you choose the most interesting item from a list of things that you know will captivate you for mere seconds before the realization that that is no force driving you to protect the trajectory of this project? Do you stab blindly in the dark or pull something out of a hat? Do you ask around hoping someone else will lend you their objectives? How is it that one makes a decision that affects the living and breathing of the everyday when one has no direction?