Pick a World

Yours or theirs

It’s probable that the most persistent delusion we humans entertain is the belief in an objective world “out there.” This, despite the fact that we all have unique experiences in life, often in similar circumstances.

In physics, the observer effect describes the disturbance of a system by the act of observation. A common example is checking the pressure in an automobile tire, which causes some of the air to escape, changing the amount of pressure one observes. Scientists insist that a measuring device is required to change what’s being observed and don’t include human observation, debunking the idea that how we view things influences them. This, however, is easily disproven.

Glass half empty, glass half full.

Some of us have a positive attitude, others don’t. And our lives proclaim the results. We are, each of us, creating our own reality.

Consider the two diagrams below. One represents nature: beauty and life; the other depicts back room shadowy manipulators plotting something nefarious. Here are two extremes and they co-exist. The harmonious world of nature is every present. Elite fear mongering power brokers are ever active.

We can be consciously aware of something without being influenced by it. Here’s a good example: You walk towards a cliff and stand on the edge. You feel fear, imagining what a fall would be like. Now, in that moment, you have a choice: step forward, fall, and die, or step backwards, be safe, and enjoy the view. Stepping back, you may still feel a shadow of fear, but it hasn’t motivated you. You’ve created your world.

My favorite poetic depiction of this comes from the 23rd Psalm: “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil…” We might say that being alive means that we are walking through that valley because death is coming to claim our human bodies… we walk in the shadow of that inevitability. But it’s our conscious choice to fear or not.

The world is full of darkness. The world is full of light. We can observe it all. But, how are we looking? What do we choose to broadcast with our way of seeing and being? Light to illuminate the world, our world, or … Or what? Complaint, fear, judgement, depression?” Arm wrestling with evil is a futile undertaking. Just light up the world!

Here’s an existential question to ponder: Where does darkness go when the lights come on?

See the view, approach the cliff, feel the fear, step back, enjoy the view and broadcast gratitude through the quantum field because this life is a gift!