Having a balanced lens through which to view the world promotes better decision-making. When we can see more clearly what will truly provide joy and contentment, we are liberated to pursue that which genuinely inspires us. A practical example of this might be that although someone discovers low wages are endemic to their line of work, they are nevertheless able to recognize that they would be unfulfilled if they abandoned their passion. In other words, they are not entirely at the mercy of the capitalist society they reside in.
This struggle, however, is ongoing.
We are bombarded every day with an endless stream of content and context, much of which is designed to make us fearful of the future, distrustful of others, and insecure about the validity of our own social identity. Forced into a balkanized state of mind—a word that means “to break up into smaller, often hostile units” or “to compartmentalize”—we begin to evaluate the success and meaning of our lives only in comparison to others.
The function of social media and the increasing necessity for many of us to cultivate a personal brand lead to nearly incessant anxiety: How are our actions being perceived? Are we aligning ourselves with the right causes and communities? Is our carefully constructed reputation of any real use? These questions feed a growing sense of unease, forcing us to inhabit a fragmented identity shaped more by external perception than internal truth.
And yet, in the quieter spaces of life, there is an invitation to return to a more grounded way of being.
Our surroundings, feelings, ideas, and impulses are always changing. Even without leaving the comfort of our own homes, the things we read and watch influence our emotional state. An unexpected email or phone call can put a positive spin on the day—or derail everything we thought we had going for us. Of course, we do have some agency in building structure and stability into our lives. But there is no safeguard that can assure us we will never be the victims of catastrophe.
Despite most people being willing to acknowledge this uncertainty, we often go to great lengths to insulate ourselves from it. This leads not only to obsessions with wealth accumulation (as a purported means of defense), but also to a decreased willingness to engage with the pleasantly unexpected or to be spontaneous. We become blind to the marginalia of our lives—the subtle, nonessential moments and impressions that add richness and meaning.
Anyone who has ever relished the pleasure of flipping through a used literature textbook and discovering the marginalia left behind by former students knows what a tragedy it is to miss these details. The spontaneous, the scribbled thoughts, the curious digressions—these are not distractions but reminders of humanity, texture, and presence.
In the end, learning to see clearly means embracing both structure and spontaneity, clarity and chaos, central narrative and marginal note. In doing so, we reclaim a more whole, less reactive way of being in the world.
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