The Tragedy of Cynics

Cynics. I've met more of them than I care to count, in my life. And I must admit, it's an attitude that I cannot comprehend.

A cynic is pessimistic by nature, always prepared that life (or the people in their lives) will throw them the worst curve balls, possible. They've concluded that this is the natural state of life - that bad things WILL happen to good and bad people, both and it's only to be expected.

Only a fool (another word for an optimist, they claim) would not know this and refuse to accept this reality.

As a result, cynics tend to have lower expectations of the world, of people, of life and success. They will be the first ones to proclaim (when any bad thing happens) that they've expected it all along (and to say "I told you so")and not to be tainted with the paint of naivete. They are the voice of doom and gloom, when others are trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel, in a hard situation. They care less for others, as they don't expect others to do the same for them.

For them, crusades are only for foolish people who have not figured out who the world works, yet and constantly strive to make it better. And soon, these silly people too, will face grave hurt and disappointment, that will push them to the borders of cynicism.

Cynics think they have it all figured out. After all, those who never take risks can only see other people's failures.

Expect the worst from the world and the people around you and you will be insulated from grief. Keep your targets low and avoid striving for something bigger and extraordinary and you will eliminate failure, too. If anyone else succeeds, well, good for them - perhaps, the reality of life hasn't caught up with them yet. Cynics will always be able to identify and highlight the weakness and "luck factor" of those who have achieved success.

Never stand up for anything else than yourself and you won't take the risk of being mowed down by the powers-that-be. Know what is realistically within your current range and just stick within that. You don't have to be ecstatically happy, because - hey, who the hell in the world, is? Try not to think so much about the bad things that happen in the world - don't take it so seriously and it will go away. And if it doesn't, whose noticing, right?

Keep within your sphere and let the rest of the world, burn in the hell of their own making. Cynics are self-centered and self-indulgent. Make sure you can control what is within your sphere and never take risks. Never take the chance of being too happy, and you will succeed in never being heartbroken.

Life is about getting from Point A to Point B, with a simple plan and if you keep on the spectators' sidelines long enough, you will outlive the players in the game. But what the heck, since some of these guys will continue to make the world a better place, why not make sure that we get a slice of the bigger pie too, no?

In the long run, we are all dead, cynics say - so why bother?

The tragedy of being a cynic, is that you try SO hard to be right and to never fall, that at the end of the day, you get it so wrong and fail, without even realizing it.

A life without even the smallest cause or crusade, a life without moments of extreme joy, a life where you will never know your true potential where you keep focused on just performing at the "right level". A life of never knowing the anxiety of hope and realization of luck, blessings and miracles.

A life where you hardly have anything to give to others, for you lack, even the courage, to live your own life. A life where you deliberately live in awe of others, for things which are within your own capabilities, had you tried.

A life where you don't live, but where you just - exist. Where you have no great stories to write, because you refuse to start, on the first word. Just follow the life script of the cynics that have come before you and follow. It's not too tough, is it, copping out?

As I'm writing this, a true blue cynic SMSed me on the folly of passion in life - she wrote me this passage (which I'm sure was quoted from another cynic) - "For passion is the dream of a harlot, from which we wake in despair."

My reply to her comes from Paulo Coelho in "The Pilgrimage":-

"When we renounce our dreams,
We find peace and enjoy a brief period of tranquility,
but the dead dreams begin to rot inside us
and infect the whole atmosphere
in which we live.
What we hoped to avoid in the Good Fight
- disappointment and defeat -
become the sole legacy of our cowardice".


For life is meant to be lived and participated in, and not just observed.