We Live For Vanity -It Is The Reality Of Life

I have thought about this. Over and over. For so many decades now, it has always nudged my heart. It has always shaken my mind. It has always moved my soul.

Why are we in this world? What are our individual purposes? How are we supposed to live?

Come to think of it, and it is funny but true! We are all here because of vanity! Yes, from the point of birth to the point of death, everything is about vanity.

This is a reality we try to trivialise. We try to treat it with levity. But it is the real thing. It is what living is all about.

Going to school. Having good grades. Graduating in flying colours. Getting a good job. Making enough money to live well. Wearing good clothes. Driving a nice car. Eating good foods. Raising beautiful families. Growing old. Having everything.

Then leave everything at death!
Life would be meaningless without those vanities. It would be miserable without them. But the thought that everything would be left behind at the end, ameliorates the unbridled desire to pursue those vanities relentlessly some of the times.

It gives us brakes. It makes us think. It forces us to consider some of the actions we are thinking of taking and ask: Is it worth it? Do I need to do this?

Yes, without vanity, life would definitely be miserable.

But those who are wise, who are gifted with a modicum of wisdom and depth, would always stop and think in their pursuit of these indispensable vanities.

The ability to think this way would simplify one's life. It takes tremendous stress out of one's existence. It helps one to focus on what is important.

These include cherishing and appreciating those that we love. Those that we value. Those that are precious to us.

In the course of this, we would remember to be kind. To be nice. To be good to each other. To savour our mutual existence, no matter how ephemeral. No matter how brief.

Yes, we live because of vanities. We are sustained by them. But they are also tools to teach wisdom to those who have the aptitude.

My penny.
© Remi Oyeyemi