Chapter 1: The Illusion of Control

"Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, gripped by the fear that you might one day cease to exist?" Sam inquired, already anticipating the answer.

"You feel that way too?"

Just the thought made my stomach twist.

"Absolutely," Sam replied. "Once you reach a certain age, you realize the inevitability of death. It alters your perspective on how to live in the moment. You either become frantic, scrambling to accomplish everything at once, or you choose to relax and simply be yourself.

Life is merely a sequence of moments, and true creativity flourishes when we immerse ourselves in each one—unfiltered. With the awareness of our mortality, what is there to fear or lose by embracing our authentic selves?

Even if going where the fish are results in a bountiful catch..."

Sam paused, laughter bubbling up, followed by a snort.

"What's amusing?" I asked.

"Well, it perfectly encapsulates our situation right now. There’s nothing worse than spending your whole life fishing, only to realize that fish aren't what you truly desire."

"There have definitely been moments when I pursued something only to find it meaningless years later," I admitted, glancing at the calluses on my hands.

Sam nodded in agreement. "Just like leaves changing colors." He quickened his pace downhill as he continued, "Returning to the essence of being yourself, overthinking can feel like quicksand. The more you struggle, the more trapped you become. You can’t outsmart your own thoughts.

There once was a video game where the antagonist could read the player's mind. Every time you pressed a button, the villain anticipated your move, making it impossible to win.

The key was to use a second controller. That’s how it feels when you try to decipher your true identity or determine your path. I’ve discovered one way to overcome the antagonist in real life..."

"And that is?"

"The zone," Sam replied.

"Is that like meditation?" I asked.

"Sort of, but not quite."

"Are we talking about third-eye or chakra alignment?"

"Stop right there. Just listen," Sam chuckled. "Did you consume a lot of coffee today?"

"Just caffeine and ephedrine. Why do you ask?"

Sam halted on the trail, turning to face me. "Why would you do that?"

"Because it improves a bad day," I responded, feeling my cheeks flush.

"Are you not enjoying our walk?"

"I am! I just take it out of habit to feel more alert and engaged," I stammered, struggling to justify myself. "I dislike appearing slow or unresponsive in social situations."

"You’re just a calm person who gets bored easily. We’ll address that later. It's perfectly fine, actually," Sam nodded, reassuring me.

A wave of tranquility washed over me. It felt good to share something personal without fear of judgment. Sam was nonjudgmental, unlike others in my life, which made me hesitant to ask questions.

"You still with me, Ray?"

"Oh yes, sorry." I had momentarily drifted into my own thoughts, sorting through everything I had absorbed.

"No need for apologies. The mind is a wonderful place to get lost—at times."

Suddenly, I felt significantly younger than Sam, but that didn’t bother me; it was comforting to have someone who seemed to have answers.

"Back to the zone," Sam resumed, "A dog thrives on exercise, nourishment, and shelter, right?"

"Exactly."

"We would, too, if we didn't overthink. Children play without pondering their mortality. The day you become aware of death, your ego starts steering your actions toward a quest for immortality—having children, leaving a legacy, discovering your purpose, ensuring the universe remains intact. But many fail to realize they aren’t that significant in the grand scheme. Just be yourself. Move. Enjoy life.

The universe and humanity will persist until they don’t, and so will you. That’s essentially it."

"That sounds a bit bleak," I remarked, taken aback by his bluntness.

"Is it? Not to me. We read to gain insight into ourselves and the world around us. We seek to improve and alter our lives. But what truly deserves our attention?

There's a plethora of nonsense paraded as sacred knowledge today. Once upon a time, people were executed for simply owning cats. Now, I own six.

What does it mean to be better? Which self is in need of enhancement? Who determines the standards for success?

People often believe age equates to wisdom and truth. They think the Bible, Tao Te Ching, or other texts hold authority. The Mayans committed human sacrifices, and Christians persecuted women. What did they really know?

Age and authority are inconsequential. Therefore, despite having limited time, you’re free to pursue what you desire because no one truly understands the complexities of existence.

This realization empowers you to reclaim your autonomy. A defiant child refusing to eat vegetables often grasps the truth better than most of us."

I was at a loss for words, yet felt a sense of relief. It seemed I could finally explore the things that truly ignited my passion instead of always trying to do what was expected.

As Sam continued walking, he spoke without looking at me. "We are all on a quest for happiness. Even in the darkest times, happiness can be discovered if one simply remembers to turn on the light. You just need to identify where that light switch is."

"Did you just quote Harry Potter?"

"I certainly did. What’s even more amusing is that you already know where that light switch is; it’s just that others are keeping it hidden from you."

"I don’t understand. Who’s hiding me from myself?" I inquired, perplexed.

The first video, How New Age & Word of Faith Misunderstand the Bible (Mike Winger and Melissa Dougherty), delves into the misconceptions surrounding faith and spirituality, providing clarity on these often-misunderstood topics.

The second video, What are the Five Lies of our Anti-Christian Age? with Rosaria Butterfield, explores the prevalent misconceptions in contemporary society, urging viewers to reflect on their beliefs and values.

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