Fear and The Glass Cage
All other things being equal, there is usually one main factor which keeps the extraordinary life, beyond the reach of the ordinary.
And the factor is fear.
I'm not talking about swallowing insects, diving into pools with electric eels or getting into a coffin full of worms, sort of courage, like the ones shown on reality TV.
I'm talking about overcoming one's fear of life and living - of failing (or sometimes even succeeding), of getting hurt or disappointed, of change or of a state of semi-permanent inertia, of love or being loved or of a recurrence of a past trauma.
The truth is, some of us live in glass cages throughout our lifetimes, because we're afraid.
So, we fortify the bars of our glass cages, comforting ourselves that we're actually keeping all the things that could hurt us, outside. They're cocooned in a sense of complacency and consoling half-hearted attempts at life that never really intend to succeed - but more focused on not feeling like a failure.
They become happy with the control they exert, within the limited confines of their glass cages. They hide behind a cool facade, happy to show the world that they are professional, unfazed and unaffacted by anything.
Maybe it's true what they say - sometimes, the biggest lies in life are the ones we tell ourselves and the ones that we persuade ourselves to believe.
And perhaps, what's sad is that they don't realize that the glass cage has not only kept all possible harm out - but it has also kept a few other important things out.
Like the richness of experiences, the possibilities of joy and happiness and the potential of exceeding one's own expectations.
Have no doubts whatsoever - that if you let it to be, fear can be a life partner that shackles, paralyzes and abuses you and dooms you to narrow mediocrity in life - with your own wilful consent.
God helps those who help themselves, they say. But how will God help those whom are too afraid to live or to even try?
When faced with a glass cage - there are only 2 simple options. Do your best and break the glass bars or do nothing (or do something half-heartedly) and let the glass cage break you, as a person.
Sometimes, the choices are that stark.
And the factor is fear.
I'm not talking about swallowing insects, diving into pools with electric eels or getting into a coffin full of worms, sort of courage, like the ones shown on reality TV.
I'm talking about overcoming one's fear of life and living - of failing (or sometimes even succeeding), of getting hurt or disappointed, of change or of a state of semi-permanent inertia, of love or being loved or of a recurrence of a past trauma.
The truth is, some of us live in glass cages throughout our lifetimes, because we're afraid.
So, we fortify the bars of our glass cages, comforting ourselves that we're actually keeping all the things that could hurt us, outside. They're cocooned in a sense of complacency and consoling half-hearted attempts at life that never really intend to succeed - but more focused on not feeling like a failure.
They become happy with the control they exert, within the limited confines of their glass cages. They hide behind a cool facade, happy to show the world that they are professional, unfazed and unaffacted by anything.
Maybe it's true what they say - sometimes, the biggest lies in life are the ones we tell ourselves and the ones that we persuade ourselves to believe.
And perhaps, what's sad is that they don't realize that the glass cage has not only kept all possible harm out - but it has also kept a few other important things out.
Like the richness of experiences, the possibilities of joy and happiness and the potential of exceeding one's own expectations.
Have no doubts whatsoever - that if you let it to be, fear can be a life partner that shackles, paralyzes and abuses you and dooms you to narrow mediocrity in life - with your own wilful consent.
God helps those who help themselves, they say. But how will God help those whom are too afraid to live or to even try?
When faced with a glass cage - there are only 2 simple options. Do your best and break the glass bars or do nothing (or do something half-heartedly) and let the glass cage break you, as a person.
Sometimes, the choices are that stark.
posted by Stingrayz | 1:18 PM
8 Comments:
A sense of security, however "false", is important for most people, I think.
Perhaps, everyone lives in glass cages; the important thing is to expand, and help others to expand, the size of our cages. (Am I making any sense?!)
Anon 2
Anon 2:
Agreed, on the sense of security. Though I don't think that makes most people right. But that is the reality of things.
But no, not everyone lives in glass cages. And they do know the difference.
And as for expanding the size of glass cages - a cage is still a cage, whether self-imposed or externally-imposed.
It means that there will always be things, that you will never have the freedom or opportunity to reach or experience.
Better the man imprisoned but with a free spirit, than the man that is free but is walled in by his fears.
Did I somehow inspire this post? Heheh.
Just to let you know, I am giving it my all this time around. I face him with his fears, and let him know that I'm facing it with him come what may. So far so good. He's more open about it, and we're still together.
The fear is still very much there, and we still don't know how to convince our beloved that we're for real and staying for good... but eventually we'll do it. Sooner rather than later, I think. Please pray for us...
Suara:
If good intentions are acted on and fully reciprocated by the other side, it will work, InsyaAllah.
My prayers are with you, dear. Have a good Ramadhan ahead!
Maybe this post was situation specific, but is it possible that those who believe they are "free" have not reached/are not aware of the boundary of their cage? (Like that Jim Carrey movie.)
Anon 2
Anon 2:
The post is somewhat situation-specific, although most would be able to relate to it, in some general circumstances.
My analogy of the glass cage is about fear and courage.
Courage is not the absence of fear - everybody has known fear, in one form or another, in their lives.
But courage is the decision to move forward, despite the fear.
It's not about finding the point which scares you (different people have different limits, of course) - it's about never conceding to your fears and always finding the will to overcome.
That's just my personal opinion, of course - and I believe the movie you're referring to - "The Truman Show" had a different point to it.
Good words Pari :-)
From personal experience, taking the first step in breaking the cage is always the hardest .. ;-)
omecool20:
That's completely normal, you know. That's the natural effect of all fears.
But as long as we keep hacking at the walls of fear, even as slow as a brick a day - it will eventually come down.
And God willing, before we know it, the day has arrived, when the fear has been conquered.
It's always better late than never.
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