Contemplating the Ups and Downs of Life

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, ‘To be great is to be misunderstood’.  If we look at the predominant figures in history, we notice their absent need to conform.  We realize that the ones who dare to think outside the box are the ones who get a shot at achieving their dreams and ambitions. It’s one thing to dream, and it’s another to achieve. If there’s anything common between those who achieve, it’s their ability to defy their surroundings; be it family, friends, or even society itself.

Literature has always echoed tales of those who have been picked on by society for being different. The ‘round pegs in the square holes’ as the late Steve Jobs would call them. Society always asks for more than it gives, and I’ve noticed this element on Twitter. Many complain about how this generation lacks a lot of things, and when we try to change a few things, the world backfires on us. Take the Omar series for example. A group from the Arab world decided to showcase our history, in the most appropriate and respectful way. And what does society do? It starts a twitter hashtag to ban it of course.

It’s the fear of change that holds both society and people from moving forward and progressing. As much as society is supportive, it is not always open for change. The same idea can be reflected in school systems. We are taught what is ‘good’ and trying something different means ‘bad’ or ‘wrong’. The way I see it, in world driven by state exams and a very precise image of what ‘good’ is, ‘different’ might just be our only way to progress. There always was, and always will be, a certain criteria we should all fit into. There always was, and always will be, a person who dares to defy that image. That person is the one who succeeds at changing not only his or herself, but also the world. Ghandi once said, ‘Whatever you do in life would be insignificant, but it is important that you do it.’ If you are ‘different’, embrace yourself and get ready to take on the world.

Every individual has their ups and downs on the way to success. I always see this cycle as that of going on a Ferries wheel ride. We enter the cabins, start from the ground, and slowly ascend. As soon as we almost reach the very top, the cabin stops as we start to moan and complain. A few curses later, we ascend once more, finally satisfied. We then reach the very top, happy and jubilated, admiring the awesome view and the fresh air that made it’s way through our now racing hearts. We feel power, freedom; infinite freedom. Just when we feel at our very best, we start to descend with frowns plastered to our very faces. We reach the very ground, then go back up again; a massive shift in emotions. We must start from the very ground, to reach the very top. The ironic thing is that at some point we must go down again, and then little do we know, we’re back up again.

One must remember, that the Ferris wheel doesn’t move according to our desires. In life, it’s controlled by the one above, and we must trust that he’ll guide us through it all. I mean, the view would be worth the wait, don’t you think? And even if the Ferries wheel gets stuck right in the middle, it’s those who see the beauty of the journey that manage to really succeed and move forward. No pain, no gain.