THE SIMPLE THINGS

There is no ultimate meaning to life. Not in the sense of purpose. It’s claimed that over 99.9% of the species that ever existed on the planet have become extinct. And that at one point in the history of our evolution, homo sapiens also almost became extinct – approximately 900,000 years ago. While not everyone agrees of the exact numbers of this bottleneck, many anthropologists say that this number was less than 2,000 breeding individuals.

And so, we were almost not here.

And one day we won’t be.

In the short amount of time we’ve been on this planet, say 200,000 years at the most, we’ve done a lot. So much so that unlike most species that have been on earth, we’re quite invincible. From being hunted, we are now the hunter.

And there seems to be no end in what we can do.

WHAT NEXT?

Now that we do not actually need to work for food or shelter or even the opportunity to propagate our species, what do we actually have to do? Designed with the physical bodies to walk, climb and swim and the intelligence to build things to make walking, climbing and swimming obsolete. All that’s left is the use of our brains.

But we have lost the desire to simply enjoy the simple things. Simply being alive and breathing. I can imagine that our cave ancestors, who didn’t live as long as we did, probably not even into their twenties, were fully engaged in making the utmost of each sunrise. Imagine not knowing if today was going to be your last day because that decision was not in your control.

Constantly thinking about survival.

Enjoying the quiet moments when they don’t have to fight for survival.

Enjoying simply being alive – because they’re surrounded by so much death.

And we are the products of that bravery, of that determination, of that creativity, of that will, that ingenuity. Yes, lives were lost because survival is a trial and error game. The groups that confronted the sabre tooth tiger taught the other groups not to do the same. The ones that invented the spear learned that they did not need to be afraid of the sabre tooth tiger, and in fact could turn the match around.

To paraphrase Isaac Newton, if we have seen further, it is because we have stood on the shoulders of giants. Our ancestors.

What’s next is to rediscover the spirit of that creativity and ingenuity. All around us, much more than our ancestors had are incredibly amazing things. While science has reduced the numinous to mathematical equations, leaving little to wonder, there’s perhaps still room to appreciate the moment.

UNIQUE & ENOUGH

In my opinion, Max Erhman’s 1929 poem titled, “The Desiderata” hones in the struggles of modern existence. While known, most of our stresses are mental. Fear of the future. And that fear results in physiological changes similar to the mortal threats faced by our ancestors. Scared of eviction increases levels of cortisol just as it would have when our cave ancestors heard a growl at the entrance. A letter from the income tax agency evokes the same feelings our sitting-duck ancestors felt when caught in the middle of a savanna with a lion staring straight at them, the safety of the forest too far to get to.

The Desiderata tells us ultimately to “be cheerful, strive to be happy.” And also that “many fears are borne of loneliness and fatigue.” Indeed when I read this poem the first time, many years ago, when I was much younger, it seemed empty like many self-help books. The commandments in most self-help literature seems very obvious. And you’re commanded to seek out practices that emotionally lead to less stress. Less anger. Less frustration.

But they never tell you how, not precisely anyway. Phrases like “believe in yourself” are positively annoying. “Have faith in yourself,” or “take time to meditate and be still,” aren’t in any form helpful. But the success of this material is evidenced by the sales of self-help literature in the bookstores. People are floundering emotionally and nothing they do to distract themselves from the normal business of keeping busy makes them happy.

And taking long walks in the park isn’t for everyone.

I believe that the ultimate solution lies deep within the soul of the individual. And it’s not a complicated one. It’s actually quite simple. It does ultimately begin with stepping back from the rat race and being quite selfish and thinking solely of yourself. Not obsessing with following anyone, or any instruction from anyone, including “the experts.” We are unfortunately brainwashed by our parents, guardians, schools, religions, culture early in life and so by the time we are self sufficient and standing on our own, we believe that the only way we can do this is by obeying and following the rules which are now fully encoded in our DNA.

Our ancestors knew that being unsocial was a sure way to get killed. You needed the group, the herd. Together we’re stronger.

But that was at a time when we were being chased by tigers and animals much stronger than we are.

Today, those same fears are not realistic. We do belong to many different groups but not in the same way as our ancestors. We do not need the same fight or flight responses to threats like they did, and we certainly do not need the same social crutches demanded by societal norms.

As long as your preferred way to spend your day doesn’t conflict with your day job, you’re free to act and think and spend your time according to the things that actually make you want to do them. In addition to that, remember that everyone else around you has that right.

You are not answerable to anyone (except, of course, your job and the government) and so do not feel the need to answer questions that start with “why.” But if you are new to this game, feel free to answer “because!”

BE SIMPLY YOU

Now, to get things straight, I’m not saying “be yourself,” I’m actually saying to be just whatever. Just be. I do believe that there is a uniqueness in each person and it’s a waste of time to try and explain your actions, or thoughts, to anyone. That rambling continuous discussion that goes on in your head is uniquely yours and by the time you’re thinking that you would like to behave this way or that, it’s impossible to articulately convey that decision (or feeling) to anyone else, since you arrived at it after a very, very lengthy internal debate.

This thing called the “gut feeling” is inexplicable.

For myself, it feels like the following:

• I’ll get up and spend time alone (not with people) till I’m good and ready (usually closer to noon).

• I’ll sit and write garbage, and doodle, and colour.

• I love computer code and write code daily.

• I love my motorcycle, and I’ll ride 20 miles to buy milk.

• I often sit outside and just stare at the trees.

• I don’t go to church, don’t see the need. I also avoid religious people.

• I rarely hang out with people for lunch, or coffee, too much pressure.

• Read mysteries and thrillers.

• I try (sometimes unsuccessfully) to relate to co-workers.

• I keep my office door closed.

Of course it doesn’t always work out that way. People interrupt and want stuff, so I’m forced to stop what I’m doing. Or I’m asked “why” I did something, and I’m tempted to explain. Or someone (mostly family) wants me to accompany them somewhere, they could probably go alone, and I don’t want to go, but I go anyway. And I feel guilty saying “no.”

LAST THOUGHTS ON DISTRACTIONS

Our cave man ancestors did not have the Internet, or smartphones. They probably didn’t have a lot of free time in any case. And they didn’t live that long.

We have a real problem with social media. A huge problem. While technology is great and has allowed us to get to the top of the food chain as far as our planet is concerned, imagine our cave man ancestor who lived to about 20 years old or so, many of his children did not survive, spend most of the day planning how he would kill off his neighbouring clan and the rest of the day looking actively for food lest he starve. Oh, all the while making sure that he stayed out of the way for the animals who wanted him as dinner.

And then us. We know where our dinner is, no need to look. No neighbours to fight, that’s what I pay the police and government for. And tons of time on our hands, we’re living past 100 now. That’s another 80-plus years of life we have to occupy ourselves with. Social media is our way of simply sitting there and seeing what other people are doing. Not for the sake of helping us survive, but because we have nothing else better to do.

I’m not referring to the digital transformative tools that allow for collaboration. I’m really addressing the tools (which will remain nameless, but you know) that suck our time watching someone else simply talk about themselves. Or about their dogs. And who needs to watch the televised news three times a day? Or in fact catch up on world news as it happens?

Unfortunately for those born in the digital age (say from 1990 onwards), having a smartphone as your nanny means that you may never be able to enjoy sitting alone on a park bench just doing nothing. But try it anyway.