MY ARCHENEMY

Apathy

By Christine Jayakaran

If you closely observe any relationship that looks like it's crumbling or even mildly floundering there's bound to be a case of Apathy. Apathy I think starts out at keeping a distance from people and their issues which eventually snowballs into complete disinterest and detachment. I personally find apathy damaging and it triggers a very primal reaction in me. (Yes yes i'm working on that!) I enjoy deep relationships and am challenged and encouraged by friends with strong convictions and beliefs. I am not a big fan of wishy - washy folk who prefer to stay safe. I realise though that there is a segment of humanity that operate solely in the lane of apathy and seem to do just fine. Anyway, I'm not here to debate which lane is better , all I know is that apathy is the destruction of all things good. If me or my spouse consistently show apathy to each other, our marriage is bound to fall apart. I can't show apathy towards the issues that manifest in my children's lives now lest they fester into bigger, hard to control problems when they are teens or adults. If I feel nothing towards the suffering of people around me and just live for myself, my work and my immediate family I highly doubt that would be a fulfilling life.

I consider myself blessed to have some amazing humans I call friends who live lives that are full of feeling and meaning (I know..I couldn't help it!)

One of my friends and an unofficial mentor is passionate about the safety and welfare of the most vulnerable in our society. A close friend is passionate about mentoring and training people to find purpose in their life like she did hers. One of my mentors lives just to empower and encourage others. Another good friend lives to serve the poor and be a listening ear to those hurting. A dear friend who is an entrepreneur is driven to run her company excellently while being a radically different girl boss!

So that being said, My life's motto? To not live with apathy. I will not turn a blind eye to the things happening around me that need me to step up. When I need to do things rather than just speak about it I will do just that. I will care for people over my need for order or closure. I will commit wholly to things I am passionate about no matter what obstacles I face. If you sense you're becoming impassive and unconcerned toward people or things happening around you I urge you step off that one way train and turn around. Take time to stop, to listen, to reconcile and maybe to do that one thing you know you were meant to do to make life better for others.