Through the Looking Glass
By Arushi, age 20, India
A looking glass is a mirror. In a mirror the left seems right, and the right seems wrong. So here's some writing on how things would be, if they weren't how they are right now.
What if our society was void of terror and suffering, and instead was full of love? That would perhaps allow us to live in an environment which would encourage us to see the positivism in life, and in small things like the shining of the sun daily after a dark night, and the relief provided by the first drop of rain to a drought-stricken land. With the problems of terrorism, corruption, and crime seeping deep into our roots and making us comfortable about their bare existence, our lives are void of love and compassion. Had our society promoted harmony rather than conflict, maybe today the young wouldn't be robbed of their childhood, and would have the opportunity to live, love, and laugh.
And what if there were no God? Had God not been there, all humans would turn into selfish, mean beasts who would care about nothing, and would pay no heed to anybody, or consider the feelings of anyone. We would not give thanks, and would greedily take all the credit for everything. I would neither question nor support the validity of God, but the name and feeling of his existence creates a sense of gratitude towards a Lord Almighty who takes care of us, and helps us in times of need.
And after God, the same for Destiny and Fate. Had there not been Destiny to blame for all misfortune, and Fate to credit for everything which went wrong, maybe man would die either of guilt for his wrongdoings, or bloat and swell in his accomplishments. So maybe we should be thankful to God, Destiny, and Fate, because whether they exist or not isn't really the question. They are the answers to all our faults and can easily be held responsible for anything which goes wrong. Nobody would question the authenticity in our words when "God didn't want it to happen," "Destiny had its way," and "It's my fate that I'm here and not there."
The world would be a weird place, like a twisted and curled snake with its fangs spread. You know what it is, you have read about it, and heard people talking about it, but you are just too scared to look closely for yourself.
Maybe I do not make sense to many of you, but I believe that maybe the world isn't that bad a place after all, because the unknown may sound adventurous and exciting, but can very much be dangerous, and I do not mind living in the known dilemmas of the world with audacity.
