Crucible

I've noticed many things during my time in this world, but one of the most striking things I've picked up on is that it often seems to want to destroy us. In my life I have had innumerable trials thrown at me and at many times it has come to the point when I was convinced that the very world around me didn't want me to be a part of it. However another thing I have noticed is that many, if not all trials are a matter of perspective. How one chooses to interpret what is happening around them will intrinsically effect how one responds. In life, we will be tested. We will be tested time and time again. We will be put through the ringer over and over, and so it's no wonder that at times I was suspicious that this might be purposeful.

This year in particular has been an especially difficult trial. The many calamities that have occurred are unavoidable. As much as many have tried to tune it all out, the political upheaval, the pandemic, all of it is inescapable. This year has put an undeniable strain on both individuals and on society as a whole. It has pushed many to their limits, and it has thoroughly exposed the impurities and imperfections in our institutions. One might say that this year has been a dumpster fire, and I could never deny that there is credibility to this assertion. However that brings us back to the matter of perspective. With all of the rushing incessant chaos of the world around us, I feel the fact that how we choose to see it all is actually in our power, tends to get lost in the fray. But still it remains that the power of interpretation truly will always remain with the reader. As the reader, as the interpreter of the madness around me, I do not choose to view this year as a dumpster fire. I would say it is a fire, but one of a different sort. I would say this year is a crucible.

What is a crucible? Quite simply it is where materials are forged into their desired shape. The thing about crucibles is that only materials that are sturdy enough in structure can be forged. Anything that contains impurities or structural weakness will break under the heat and pressure of a crucible. In a metaphorical sense, a crucible will shape the strong and break the weak. When considering this, it's easy to see why I would say this year is a crucible. It is a trial that will show the true colors of all those who are put through it. In this entry I'll go over how this year has been a crucible for both individuals and for our society as a whole. First, let's start with society.

I've never really had any doubts that there are many aspects of my country that are less than ideal. There is massive inequality, we seem to have a system that divides the masses into subgroups and pits them against one another, and even basic services such as our medical institutions, law enforcement and government seem to be rife with imperfections. For a long time it seemed that many were aware of this and some have been trying to make changes, however there has never come a flash point of urgency needed to really make such changes more of an immediate concern. For a long time it seems we have been able to coast by, vaguely being aware of all of these problems, but having the luxury of being able to ignore and put them off. I think that the tribulations of this year have made it clear that this is no longer an option. All of these impurities that have long existed have been pushed to the forefront by disaster and we can no longer turn a blind eye. However now the question needs to be asked of how we will act moving forward? It's been so long that we have been able to bask in complacency that I could never deny my concern for whether or not our leaders will be able to effectively adjust our institutions in order to finally address all of the fires that have been burning behind the curtain. I have my doubts concerning our police forces, I have my doubts concerning how our medical institutions are managed (to be clear, I'm referring more to the governing bodies that regulate how they are allowed to operate, my faith in the actual individuals who work in them is quite high), and I will admit that I'm nervous concerning the matter of our leaders capabilities to make the necessary changes. However at this point all I can hope for is that the voices of those calling for changes, the voices pointing out the specific adjustments that need to be made, will be loud enough that those in power will listen to them.

Now to move on to individuals. All of the madness of the world in recent months hasn't just been a test for the greater whole of society, it has put significant pressure on many of the individuals within it. Personally I have seen many give in to their lesser demons. I have seen many allow the insanity of the world around them to bring them down to the same level of madness. I have seen those who I have long suspected of prejudice allow their hatred to bubble to the surface and reduce them to hollow husks of the human beings that they surely must have been at some point. I have seen those who struggle with addiction fall back into their old ways and I make no misconception about my suspicion that current events have played a role in their stress and their ultimate decision, whether they realize it or not. I have seen many double down on misguided views, obviously unable to uproot themselves from their deep seated ways and all of this might cause myself to revert to old ways, if not for one thing: it's not all that I've seen. In contrast to those who have allowed all of the ugliness to make themselves ugly, I have seen many rise to the occasion and become better versions of themselves. I have seen people who I long thought to be indifferent rise up and contribute their voices to the calls for change. I have seen many regain a sense of drive and urgency to push for change. I have seen organization, determination, and a steadfast understanding that addressing all of these matters is no longer avoidable. It is because of all of this that I hold on to hope and will remain focused on making the most out of things.

I say all of this because, once again, this year truly is a crucible. I think it will expose the weak and it will shape the strong. But further more, given that crucibles are meant to create something new, I'm excited to see what that will be and I'm thrilled to be able to witness it. However I wont be naive. If what goes into a crucible isn't sturdy enough, it will break. Right now, I'm observing. I'm looking on at our society as it is put through this grand trial and crossing my fingers that enough possess the purity and strength of character that we can get through all of this and be shaped instead of broken. At this moment, only time will tell. One thing is for sure, I'm waiting with bated breath.