Live and Let Live

I do not believe that for the sake of others who care for a person—another should have to endure a broken life.  But, from another perspective, living life may be very rewarding, even to the most challenged individuals.  I believe, for myself, in being committed to life, because I have seen that no times of despair are so perilous to be permanent.  No matter how disheartened I am about life, I know my feelings of alienation will not last, and that I will have good times down the road.

The concept of being committed to life was brought to my attention by a friend.  She brought this topic up as a concept which she had learned of, as a teaching of Will Hall’s (a mental health advocate). 

Not all wars, which are won, can bring with them rewards which are proportionate to sacrifices made in battle.  That is not to say that we are to be fearful of fighting; in some people’s lives, the cost of perseverance is so great that no rewards could ever make up for times of so much despair; that does not mean that suicide is their best means to resolving emotional conflict in these instances.

Anarchy is about cooperation within communities to develop an egalitarian social structure.  What we must realize—as radicals—is that in our communities—there are people who are suffering of so much emotional destitution that suicide seems an answer.  All of us have to see our role in society as a crucial means to alleviate the burdens which push too many to want to end their lives.    

Too many people are too alone.  Too many people are so crushed by a capitalistic sense of morality which pushes us to alienate each other for the sake of personal gain.  And it is this that causes people to turn to drugs; and it is this that causes people to lose their minds; and it is this that is why people turn to suicide.  No one is so righteous to say that their role in society does not alienate another person. 

We do not need to wait for the government to get things right for our culture to be one of caring and cooperation.  All we need is for one too many people to recognize the beauty of individuality; and we need this person to recognize that, because they are witness to this beauty, they must return the gesture with acts of compassion.   All of us must promote the individual in all people we encounter. 

If any one person is to value their own life, to choose to be committed to life, we must all contribute our hearts and soul to each individual whom we share in love with.  Only through a culture of a collective interest in humanity can we create a society that values the hardships which influence people to end their lives.  And that is, by my estimation, the best we can do to undo the emotional burdens which are so imposed on people that they end their lives.