The Human Condition - Chapter 5

We've all been there: we walk into a situation expecting one thing, and walk out knowing another. Usually that walking out is coupled with a strong desire to be sick. So, what happened?

Well, I imagine that two things happened.

First, the expectation happened. There's nothing more dangerous than thinking that you know what is about to happen (especially if it involves someone else). For your own piece of mind, always try and remember that you cannot script the future.

Secondly, and this is the more evasive aspect, is the knowledge. Sometimes you're lucky enough to deal with a person who knows how to be honest, and it's just simply the harsh smack of reality that is getting to you.

But what if you've been told what you wanted to hear, but something's still not sitting well? Well then my friend, at this point you're dealing with your gut, your instincts, and that will speak louder to you than any human could ever dream to.

There is a reason that we, as animals, are born with our instincts. Yes, initially they're there to help us drink, and grab, and walk. But what of these instincts once we've grown? Wild or domesticated, animals never seem to let their instincts fall by the wayside, so why should we? How have we?

We humans are like our animal brothers and sisters in that we're born with this basic set of survival instincts, but we are also set apart from said animals in a variety of ways, and I think that the most compelling one is the one that breaks from our instincts: our ability to question. And a direct result of that questioning has led to religion, and a sense of who we are and why we're here.

So in answering those questions, and making our way day in and day out, how can we not hold a candle to those moments where we know something is wrong, but can't exactly explain why. That right there would be the evolution of our instincts; our innate ability to sense those things that might not be immediately apparent, and sense whether they're good for us or not.

Saying that then, it's not even really about evolution, is it? It's about the thousands of years that we have been on this planet and have had to survive, and the relationship of survival to contentment with one's own life.

I believe that survival and contentment are intertwined. I see how the stress of sadness affects people, from the way it affects their body to the way it affects their decisions; and it's not healthy. In fact, it's a downright killer.

So we cannot fool ourselves into believing that gut feelings should hold no value. They hold the most value. Your gut only speaks what you already know, but your brain somewhere is not delivering the message. And all of the questions and answers in the world can never replace what you truly feel.

Survival of the fittest is still alive and well, but it has manifested itself into something different in this day and age; now it is survival of the smartest. The smartest being those who understand how to live life, and when to know what will be good for oneself and what won't be.

So listen to yourselves. Listen to your heart. Listen to your brain. And most importantly, listen to that little voice inside of you; it really only has you in its best interest. It always has, and will always continue to do so.