You little dog, you.
As I keep ticking off years on the calendar, I find myself constantly vigilant against the creeping cynicism.
It's so much simpler, isn't it?
Easier to cast doubt on everything—the government, institutions, authority in all its forms—than to maintain that flicker of hope, that spark of optimism about life.
The term "cynical" traces its roots back to the ancient Greek word, kynosarge, which translates quite literally to "The Gray Dog."
Picture this: an ancient gymnasium in Athens where the likes of Diogenes and the students of Socrates would hang out. The word "cynic" itself? It's derived from "little dog."
Make of that what you will. It’s not a cute little puppy. It’s an ugly mutt that’ll steal your lunch and take a heaping shit on your lawn.
But here's the thing, when we shy away from tough conversations, dodge the gritty realities of life, ignore the fact that life is indeed brutal, we end up stewing in resentment, frustration, and this overwhelming sense of powerlessness.
True story.
And if you let that brew long enough, it'll take you to this dark, murky place where you start viewing everything through a lens of cynicism. Bitterness. And, hopelessness. Defining people at their worst. Imagining the sky is always falling. Waiting for the next shoe to drop.
It's us against the world, right?
Nope.
Trust me, I've spent my fair share of time there. It's like a soul-sucking place. People start avoiding you, changing the subject, anything to steer clear of that negative cloud.
Which brings me to a little truth I want to share: the world needs more hope-filled souls today.
And by "hope-filled," I mean individuals with feet firmly planted on the ground, who refuse to stop striving to make themselves and their corner of the world better each day. Folks who won't just mindlessly follow the herd, who see the best in themselves and others, who aren't afraid to step up.
But look around you. Sarcasm, resentment, and revenge seem to be the flavors of the day, don't they? Just tune in to the news or eavesdrop on conversations at your local café—you'll see what I mean.
Studies say we're wired to cling to the negative like it's going out of style. But that doesn't mean we throw in the towel or lose faith that things can and should be better.
Better than they were. Better than they are now. Better than anything we've seen.
Sometimes, stopping ourselves from doing certain things is just as crucial as starting something new. Stop with the sarcasm. Stop with the resentment. Stop with the whole eye-for-an-eye routine.
That way of living? It's toxic, my friend.
Sarcasm, quite literally, tears people down, rips hope apart at the seams. And it's just the easy way out, the lazy route. Sure, you might get a chuckle, but you're chipping away at your soul in the process.
And resentment? It's a whole other beast. It's all about clutching onto the past, acting like the world owes you something, yearning for a different life. At its core, resentment is an addiction to pain, clinging to every hurt, every wound, every injustice.
But here's the kicker: resentment, sarcasm—they feed off each other, leading us down this path to revenge, to proving the haters wrong.
Spoiler alert: two wrongs don't make a right.
Vengeance might give you a fleeting sense of satisfaction, but it's soul-sucking in the long run. It's like those playground games, tit for tat. And let me tell you, they get us absolutely nowhere.
And by nowhere, I mean they rob us of the present moment, right here, right now.
So, here's the deal: let's swap sarcasm for silence, resentment for acceptance, vengeance for love.
Easier said than done, I know. But hey, it's a start.
And that start? It's forgiveness.
Always has been.
Remember, there are two forces at play in this crazy universe: love and fear.
Sarcasm, resentment, vengeance? All fear. But forgiveness? That's all about love.
So, let's learn to love ourselves and each other, to let go.
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Here's a little exercise for learning how to let go: Get some space, focus on yourself, ride those emotional waves, and talk it out with folks you trust. And above all, practice forgiveness.
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Let me leave you with one of my all-time favorite quotes: "To let go does not mean to get rid of. To let go means to let be. When we let be with compassion, things come and go on their own." – Jack Kornfield.
I hope this hits you right where you need it. You and me, we're cut from the same cloth, after all. Human. Fragile. Alive. Capable of some real good—if we choose love over fear.
Because our world's as positive as we make it out to be.
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Steve Knox | Amsterdam
/// Thanks as always for reading. This is a conversation with have to have with ourselves first. Don’t you think? Reread this a time or two today. Take it to heart. Then share what you learn with someone you know, love and trust. Godspeed, amigo.