Illusion

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist. Maybe the greatest trick our all mighty God has ever pulled was convincing the world he did. I used to be a firm believer of religion and the biblical stories of Moses parting the seas, but I can’t help look in the mirror and see someone betrayed by this greater power. Someone who has worked so hard and sacrificed so much to find the smallest of returns. I have always been told that nice guys finish last but in my heart of hearts believed that to be untrue. I pondered over the fact that the men manning the back office were always my closest friends in the firm and the cable guys and maintenance officers were so easy for me to get along with. I figured this was a good thing and that the connection, or bond if you will, that I established with these people were a testament to the type of person I am.

I have now realized that the assholes of this world are the ones that succeed. My greatest idols are the bourgeoisies of our time and the ones that do not care for friends. They spend their days pawning through an endless sea of pussy, not concerned with the world around them and the people they hurt. Yet even knowing this I cannot muster myself to think like these “successful” people that roam our streets and fill the Trump buildings that only add to the ruins of a diminishing city. I continue in my ways, hoping that I will find success in ways other than monetary compensation. It would be nice to see rewards along the way but I will continue being patient. I will continue working hard and sacrificing for the ones I love, because life has slowly taught me that family is the only sure thing we have to hold on to. I am confident that I will never be a millionaire, a successful writer, or someone married to a perfect ten model like that of whom “E” somehow manages to bring to bed; but I am positive that I will always have a supportive and loving family that is willing to risk their friends and reputation for the perpetuity of my happiness. I have never looked a woman in the eye, and in complete vulnerability admitted to her my endless love, but if you ask me, a family willing to risk that much is a family smothered in love. I can only be thankful to have that in my life and hopefully the fire that fuels this love will never dwindle.

To all of my readers… God exists. If not in his ominous form, then he exists in all of our hearts. He represents the hope and optimism that there is something better out there for those who sacrifice for others. Perhaps everything does not happen for a reason, but it could just be better to believe it does. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist. Maybe the greatest trick our all mighty God has ever pulled was convincing the world he did. Is that necessarily a bad thing or could it just so happen to be the bane of our existence?

Our Defining Moments

Good people of cyberspace. I come to you for a reason unbenounced to even yours truly. I look out upon the world and I see faces of selfishness and egotism. Do I vent as a way to relieve myself of guilt or do I voice my concern hoping to make a difference in the world? I seem to hope the latter but cannot help believe the worst may be true; that I am no different from the narcissistic assholes that plague this country. Maybe there truly is no such thing as a selfless good deed. Maybe we base decision after decision on future gain instead of friendly favors to the one’s we care for. I find myself manipulated into the financial system of viewing everything in terms of self worth. The stereotypes of investment bankers that I so boldly despised are now ingrained in my flesh and bones.

Yet despite these contradictions that rule my existence, I demand myself to try. I may be unable to revenge the anger of watching my friend take a fist to his face, but perhaps standing by his side in the subsequent moments is enough to remind him that my friendship still exists. We may not learn a great deal from the ingenious remake of Batman, but we should remind ourselves of this; it’s not who we are inside, but what we do that defines us. When facing controversy and paralyzing fear, do you tuck your tail between your legs and relinquish to those willing to fight, or do you stand up for what you believe in? Life is too fucking short, so I request that you walk up to your oversized door mirror, look yourself in those big eyes that surround a body gasping for approval and ask whether or not you are really trying to make a difference. One vegetarian can’t stop cows from being slaughtered; one hybrid car owner can’t redefine auto manufacturing; one selfless good deed can’t amend the millions of selfish deeds that transpire every day; but at least we can try. We walk with one foot in front of the other every day, but seem to forget that a first step must always precede the rest. I may not be perfect and I may never make a difference in this world, but I promise you that I will always try to be the first step.