Why We Need Bad Things

Why We Need Bad Things

However advanced humans have become till date, there are certain questions that we just don't know the correct answers to. 

Maybe it's because they don't have a single answer....maybe it's because these questions are better off as questions, for the answers could be something totally unexpected.

However, that doesn't stop us from trying to find explanations for them. You see, one of the most primary characteristics of humans is "curiosity", and we just don't stop looking for an answer.

One such unanswered question is: Why do bad things exist? 

One may say: "Well, God accidently dropped some bad stuff into Earth (like lizards for example [sorry, lizard lovers]) before drifting off into his eternal sleep."

One could also say: "Life is one long bad thing with little intervals of happiness that act as sedatives."

While we may never know the correct answer to the question, it doesn't hurt to come up with your own theories, and it certainly isn't wrong to, either.

So here's mine.

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What would you say if you were offered to have your one favorite dish for all meals for every single day of the rest of your life? For those of you who'd say yes, I respect your decision, but here's what would most likely happen soon after:

The first few days would be unbelievable; in the literal sense. You'd constantly fear that sooner or later you'd wake up and the superb dream would end. You'd relish every dish, but constantly be on edge.

However, after a few more days, you start to believe that your reality truly is what it is. You'll eat feeling even more joy, as now you know that it'll never end.

Every meal is now paradise.

Until after a few months, when you begin to see the catch of the deal.

The food no longer feels euphoric. You no longer feel special while eating the dish. You're tongue isn't surprised or refreshed by the taste of your favorite delicacy. It's as if you were eating anything else, since it no longer holds any special meaning to you.

You've gotten used to it.

And then the spark just keeps advancing towards the firecracker of boredom, and when you're finally there, you no longer even feel like eating. The parts of the day you used to look forward to the most are now the most boring parts.

You'd run to find the man who made you the offer, and you'd plead with him to revert everything back to the way it was.

Alright, take another example; consider being offered the power to never hurt, feel pain, or even die. You'd just be so indestructible that no living being could ever hurt you in any physical way.

Hell, even you couldn't if you ever wanted to.

Again, if you're tempted, I respect your choice, but here's what would probably happen:

Initially, you'd have a total blast; you'd make bets with your friends, knowing that you'll win, and do all kinds of crazy stunts. You'd challenge them to try and kill you, and you'd all laugh and celebrate when you'd walk out unharmed. Soon you'd be famous, and the next thing you know, you'll be all over the news, different magazines, paper headlines, and whatnot. 

You'll try everything you've been afraid to do before; skydiving, learning how to swim(not to survive), scuba diving, climbing Everest...

But here's the thing; after a point, you start to realize that you're getting through all these challenges so quickly that you have none left to do. You go and tell all your friends that you've already finished your bucket list, and at first they'd congratulate you...but after a while, they'll stop spending time with you. They'll have realized that there's no point of befriending someone who doesn't have anything to lose.

You'll feel upset as they gradually part ways with you, but soon, you'll notice it yourself.

Having nothing left to do, you just sit in your house all day. Eating, just for the taste, but nothing other than that. You're no longer the person you were.

You're no longer a person at all.

You're just an indestructible object, with no ambitions, no dreams, no purpose. Nothing.

It's all meaningless to you.

Getting rid of what you thought were the obstacles in your life made life the greatest obstacle for you.

There's no fun in the stunts, there's no thrill in the rides and nothing left to pass your time.

You run to the man who made you the deal, and you plead with him to make you a person again.

That's the keyword; a person again.

What makes a person isn't what he or she physically has, its the fact that they have something to live for. And by removing obstacles, challenges and feats no longer remain challenges or feats. They lose meaning. 

A mountain wouldn't tempt a hiker if it weren't for its steepness. Heck, it wouldn't even be fun to hike a flat mountain. It'd just be like any regular, boring walk. Overcoming the steepness is what makes you feel like you accomplished something.

This is why we have bad things, need them, and cannot permanently get rid of them. Bad things give the good ones meaning; once you get through the bad ones, you know better to cherish the good ones as a reward.

With every ray of light you cast onto someone, a shadow follows close behind. There cannot be light without a shadow, and no shadow, without light.

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Hello reader! After the largely positive traffic I got on the first post of this genre ("Life"), I decided to post a second one and turn it into a series. I will now be posting one of these every now and then just to enhance the range of content variety on the blog, and so that you never have a dull moment :D

Thanks to everyone who commented their theories about life in the comment section on the previous post, it was truly refreshing to see everyone's take on the concept and their opinions on mine. I urge you to please do the same for this post, by letting me know your thoughts, suggestions or your own views on the subject. 

Please note: these posts are in no way challenging any pre-existing theories, beliefs or any specific religious texts of any groups in any way or manner. 

These are purely for the purpose of giving you another perspective; opening yet another window for you to look at what your life could possibly be, since nobody knows the meaning of anything in it with absolute certainty...

And that's the beauty of it.

-Armaan Kothare