It gave me so much comfort knowing there are other people who also walk through this world with a similar weightiness, sensitivity, and perpetual search for meaning. I’ve been having existential crises lately, and you articulated it well: it’s like reaching for something vague and undefined, but perpetually there, just out of grasp, haunting you. I’ve often envied people with simpler dispositions like my mom, who told me she’d never bothered pondering about the direction or meaning of her life, but found it easy to be happy. I’ve often envied people for whom satisfaction came naturally, like a baseline in their personality. I feared I would never feel content if I was in this constant state of searching; it feels like a heavy way to exist. But I’ve come to accept that people like us — sensitive souls that are prone to melancholy — are simply wired differently. It is both a blessing and a curse. But our searching nature is what allows us to reflect deeply and help others navigate the complexities of life as we stumble along ourselves. As burdensome as this feels sometimes, it is also our gift. Thanks for reminding me that I’m not alone. Reading your words was like reading a diary entry of my own.
I really appreciate you not only taking the time to read my essay but also sharing your feelings. In your response, I feel even less alone, especially as I continue to accept that to feel this way isn't something to run from. I wish you all the best 🙏🏾
I believe one of the benefits of living in these times is learning to stand on our own two feet within the shrug maturing in the discomfort of uncertainty until there’s no longer a tug for things to be any different.
Incredible. This was so powerful for me: "so a valley of sorrow begins to form..." And I love the wisdom in the way you ended this. Yes, a million yeses. Thank you always Jon! <3
i think a comforting thought, and a humbling one, too, is that when we feel the weight of the world we must realize that that is a feeling and most likely not a fact. We would find it difficult to bear, understand or even imagine the full weight of the world, if by weight we mean all its conflict and mystery. This thought leaves you much room and time to continue to look for and discover the unknown -- and maybe even enjoy the process.
It gave me so much comfort knowing there are other people who also walk through this world with a similar weightiness, sensitivity, and perpetual search for meaning. I’ve been having existential crises lately, and you articulated it well: it’s like reaching for something vague and undefined, but perpetually there, just out of grasp, haunting you. I’ve often envied people with simpler dispositions like my mom, who told me she’d never bothered pondering about the direction or meaning of her life, but found it easy to be happy. I’ve often envied people for whom satisfaction came naturally, like a baseline in their personality. I feared I would never feel content if I was in this constant state of searching; it feels like a heavy way to exist. But I’ve come to accept that people like us — sensitive souls that are prone to melancholy — are simply wired differently. It is both a blessing and a curse. But our searching nature is what allows us to reflect deeply and help others navigate the complexities of life as we stumble along ourselves. As burdensome as this feels sometimes, it is also our gift. Thanks for reminding me that I’m not alone. Reading your words was like reading a diary entry of my own.
I really appreciate you not only taking the time to read my essay but also sharing your feelings. In your response, I feel even less alone, especially as I continue to accept that to feel this way isn't something to run from. I wish you all the best 🙏🏾
A very positive piece. Yes, one feels uncomfortable because they don't know their "purpose" but it's for us to give meaning to our life!
Wow!!
I believe one of the benefits of living in these times is learning to stand on our own two feet within the shrug maturing in the discomfort of uncertainty until there’s no longer a tug for things to be any different.
Incredible. This was so powerful for me: "so a valley of sorrow begins to form..." And I love the wisdom in the way you ended this. Yes, a million yeses. Thank you always Jon! <3
Appreciate that, Stephanie 🙏🏾 it means a lot
i think a comforting thought, and a humbling one, too, is that when we feel the weight of the world we must realize that that is a feeling and most likely not a fact. We would find it difficult to bear, understand or even imagine the full weight of the world, if by weight we mean all its conflict and mystery. This thought leaves you much room and time to continue to look for and discover the unknown -- and maybe even enjoy the process.
I like this perspective. Thanks for sharing, Iyw 🙏🏾