Striving to Be Ordinary

 Striving to Be Ordinary

As a child, Hermann Hesse's "Demian" was a beautifully enchanting novel that exuded an inexplicable magic. I became so immersed in Hesse's writing that I indulged in almost all of his works.I use the word "indulged" because it's more accurate to say I was paralyzed, unable to properly grasp his intentions.Years later, rereading his works, I was surprised to find a completely different world unfolding. It was shocking to realize that Demian was another self of Sinclair.
Hesse's soul is like Demian's clear spirit and Sinclair's mature, intellectual root."If you seek happiness, you cannot be happy, and if you seek the meaning of life, you cannot live."I couldn't understand what Hesse meant by this at all.
However, after quite some time and experiencing various parts of the world, I'm grateful and proud that I can now somewhat empathize with this statement.Happiness cannot be the purpose; life is simply given.
Yet, that doesn't mean it's worthless to live recklessly.After birth, we are compared, evaluated, and compensated with money for our value.
It's painful that this compensation is quantified, but it's the manual for living in this world.
Deviating from the manual means enduring poverty and hunger.
Despite no two people being the same, we're measured by the same standards.
We've all become the same "one" by the mathematical standard that "one" plus "one" equals exactly "two". In fact, we live in a world where most people fall short of being "one".To prove that I'm not just "one", I must give up many things and cannot avoid deviation. To avoid this risk and anxiety, we consume enormous energy trying to be ordinary.If you were born into a well-off family in a prosperous country, you might be fortunate, but those born in miserable environments realize that being ordinary holds life-and-death value.Since no one has experienced death, there's no answer to life.
Knowing there's no eternal happiness, happiness can't be the goal.
We were never comparable to begin with, as we're all different.
Don't stress over the standards others impose.
It's up to each individual to figure out how to live rightly.Just don't harm others and enjoy your freedom.
Remember that rights come with responsibilities.
Remember that your parents love you immensely.
Know that you have quite a few wonderful neighbors and friends around you.|

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