Is there one solution to all our problems? Is there something which can show us light when there is nothing but a vast hollow of darkness and despair? Is there one source of misery? Is there one thing which is common across the human race?
I feel one thing which is common across the world is that we tend to manufacture a world of our own. It is a cocoon of happiness and misery, but it is OUR own. For some, this cocoon is very limited. My family, my friends, my work, my health and my wealth. Beyond that, the world does not exist. Some people do not understand how one can live without 'basic' needs like electricity, clean water, food, cell phones and television. Some people, on the other hand, do not understand how one can be unhappy after having a roof on top of their heads, enough food to survive and warm clothes to survive the winter.
This difference in perception is not defined by race, religion, nation, or wealth. This difference would exist no matter who you are, where you are from, what color your skin is, or what you do for a living. The question is, how big is your cocoon? The difference in perception would decrease as your cocoon increases in size. We sometimes vouch for our open mindedness. But, at one sight of something beyond what we consider normal, we get scared and run for the shelter of our cocoon. Put me in a place where people roast dogs and eat them, and I would shriek and say, 'this is weird; how can anyone do this?' Put me back in my comfort zone where people eat chicken and beef, and I would say, 'yum! can I have some?' What is this? The moment I am in a place beyond my cocoon, I act like fish out of water. What is weirdness? Is it not just ANY thing which you have not experienced or think is normal?
So is this difference in perception a problem? For the most part, I think it is. For centuries, humans have been fighting among each other. From the Battle of Megiddo (15th Century BC) to the War in Afghanistan (present), it has been a long, long time. I feel that the difference in perception played a large role in all wars. I feel that this is not just limited to wars but also accounts to many of our day-to-day problems.
So what is the solution? Can the difference be reduced by going out and exploring the world as much as we can? One would think so, but this is almost impossible. We can only explore so much in one life. Another solution (less expensive) is to try and forget your self. Almost magically, when you can figure out how to stop thinking just about yourself, the world seems like a better place. You find peace and the cocoon expands to encapsulate the world as we know it. It is extremely tough to be able to do that, almost impossible, but even a tiny step towards achieving that state is tremendously rewarding.
