It’s a mad, mad world

Stardust somehow turned itself into multicellular, carbon-based, bipedal life forms. Our whole economy only works because humanity collectively agreed that a shiny metal called gold has some value. Most people partake in activities as a result of social pressures rather than personal interest.

It’s all silly but incredible at the same time. Yet, people get worked up about trivial things that have little to no impact in the grand scheme of things — like losing out on a sale, being late for a meeting, long lunch lines, and delayed flights. As humans, we like to assign meaning to things and work with purpose towards an end goal.

But maybe there isn’t one. We’re all just by-products of natural selection making its way through the universe. And it blows my mind that people get so stressed out about everything. Once you’ve got your basic necessities like food, housing, a job, and social relationships covered, you really don’t have much to complain about in the modernized Western world.

It’s in our nature to always strive for more, so we’re never actually satisfied with what we have — both a blessing and a curse. This is likely why the routine of writing three things down every day that you’re thankful for works so well in curing depression; it makes you appreciate the things you have rather than complain about what you don’t.

It’s been scientifically proven that people feel relaxed around large bodies of water. It’s probably because things moving slowly on the surface of water has a calming effect on our minds, a way of life that we should adopt in an increasingly technological world. Take a step back, breathe deep, and just live in the moment.

In our chaotic lives, most things are out of our control. It’s no use stressing out over things that we can’t do anything about. “Stuff just happens” is one of my go-to life philosophies for this very reason. Another piece of advice I tend to dish out frequently in conversations that start trending towards the contemplation of existentialism is “The best thing we can do is to simply exist.”

So relax. Some terrible things will happen and some amazing things will happen. Most of it, you can’t do anything about. Just put your best foot forward and properly execute your plans. Don’t freak out when things don’t go your way. And most importantly, never forget that you’re in control of your own choices, ideas, and actions. Godspeed and good luck. It’s a mad, mad world out there.