Embracing Life Roles Without Losing Yourself

A life insurance payout, no matter how substantial, can never bring back those we have lost.

Is it possible to purchase a life? While one can acquire material possessions such as a car, the question remains: Can one truly buy a life? Sure, it's conceivable to calculate the monetary worth of individual organs or body parts, but that would merely equate to purchasing a physical body. But what about acquiring a life? How can we even begin to assign a monetary value to the essence of one's humanity?

Our worth as individuals cannot be quantified or priced. The mere thought of someone attempting to sell us for monetary gain is existentially distressing. The depth of our love and devotion for our loved ones surpasses any material possessions, as we are willing to sacrifice everything, even our own lives, to save them. A life insurance payout, no matter how substantial, can never bring back those we have lost.

Every single human being possesses inherent dignity and value that transcends monetary measurements. Our worth cannot be purchased or traded. It is an intrinsic part of our humanity. Regardless of our circumstances or possessions, we deserve love, respect, and dignity solely because we are human. Even if we were to lose everything and find ourselves living on the streets, it would still be unjust and morally wrong for someone to inflict harm upon us, physically or otherwise.

Do you experience a sense of dignity? Do you feel acknowledged for your humanity? Are you loved and valued simply for existing? Or do you find yourself being evaluated based on a price?

Photo by william f. santos on Unsplash

Consider the realm of work. Much of our day is spent in jobs where our time is valued in monetary terms. How much will you be paid for each hour of your work? It becomes tempting to view ourselves as commodities and think, "They are willing to pay more for me to work there, so let me sell myself to them."

Then there's the realm of social media. We often find ourselves selling a version of ourselves on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. Our posts showcase the fun events we attend, our stylish outfits, or the latest viral TikTok video we create. We allow our followers and friends to determine our worth, feeling devalued if we receive fewer replies or likes. It's disheartening when we perceive our "price" to be low.

Even when organizing an event or writing an article, we may find ourselves quantifying our worth based on the number of attendees or views we attract. We sometimes go to exclusive clubs or expensive restaurants as a way to affirm our value, believing that engaging in such activities makes us valuable and special.

Indeed, the concept of being priced influences various aspects of our lives. We recognize the value of our work and contributions to society, understanding that we benefit from collaborating with one another. However, we must be cautious not to confuse what we provide with who we truly are.

You are not defined by your career, your social media posts, or your day-to-day activities. You are not even solely defined by the labels or identities you ascribe to yourself. You are simply you. Even if you were to lose everything, your essence as a human being remains unchanged.

Love can be directed towards various aspects of life, whether it's a romantic partner, a friend, your work, or even the simple beauty of nature. However, at its core, love is fundamentally straightforward. It means valuing something or someone simply for what they are, without any additional reasons or conditions. To love someone is to recognize their inherent worth and dignity, rather than placing a price tag on them.

Consider a scenario where you're engaged in a conversation with a friend. You genuinely listen, giving them your undivided attention, even if their ideas seem nonsensical or differ from your own. You value their voice and perspective as fellow human beings. However, when your phone buzzes with a notification, you momentarily shift your focus. You check the notification, finding it to be a discount code for a sale, and then return to the conversation with a simple apology of "Sorry, where were we?" Yet, in that brief act, you have unintentionally devalued your friend. You have prioritized the conversation as something of lesser importance, indicating that there could be more significant or valuable matters to attend to. The simple act of picking up your phone has priced your friend, suggesting that the conversation lacked intrinsic importance and could be interrupted for something of higher value, such as another friend messaging you.

This example highlights how easily we can unconsciously place a price on the people and experiences in our lives. It is a reminder that love is about recognizing and appreciating the intrinsic worth of others, valuing them for simply being themselves. By doing so, we can cultivate deeper connections and honour the dignity of those around us.

All that we want is to be dignified. To be valued as humans. To feel that even if we lost everything, if we could no longer serve our careers and contribute meaningfully to society, we would still be deserving of each other’s attention and love.

Feeling Empty?

If you're feeling empty inside, it may be time to reconsider the ways in which you seek validation and value from the world. Take a moment to reflect on the areas where you find yourself constantly trying to prove your worth or seeking external validation. Recognize that you don't actually need any of it. The value you're searching for is already within you, and it has always been there.

Although it may be challenging, it's important to understand that we live in a world where people often place a price on each other. This is something beyond your control. Society tends to emphasize social standing and external validation. However, while others may price you, you have the power to stop pricing yourself. Take a step back, remove the distractions, and truly examine who you are at your core.

Self-love is not about trying to comfort yourself in a superficial way. It's about releasing the need to place a price on yourself. It's about allowing yourself to make mistakes, take risks, and make choices that others may deem unconventional or even damaging to your reputation. It's about valuing yourself and recognizing that you are a unique and extraordinary individual, simply because you are human.

So, strip away the external expectations and judgments. Take the time to be alone, without distractions, and fully embrace the reality of who you are. Embrace your imperfections, your dreams, and your individuality. Prize yourself and acknowledge your worth, not for any specific reason, but purely because you are a human being deserving of love and respect.

Life is like a series of interconnected theatres, where we constantly transition between different roles and scenarios. Each theatre represents a different aspect of our lives: work, home, friendships, social media, hobbies, and more. Within each theatre, we take on different characters and play our roles to the best of our ability. However, it's crucial not to lose sight of our true selves amidst the various performances.

While it's important to approach each role with passion and wholehearted engagement, we must remember that we are not defined solely by the characters we play. Behind the masks and roles, there is an authentic self that remains constant throughout these different theatres of life. It is the essence of who we truly are.