Who am I? This question often stirs a sense of pride in many of us. The prestigious positions we hold, the luxurious lifestyles we enjoy, the impressive appearances we maintain, and the immense wealth we possess are often the criteria that shape our answers. Conversely, for some, this question leads to feelings of inferiority, disappointment, anguish, humiliation, and hurt as they reflect on their status in society. There are also those who feel neither pride nor deprivation; they simply exist as they are, perhaps content, perhaps not.
Regardless of wealth, honor, or power, we all become equal in death. This is a well-known truth, but it is the deceased who do not feel this equalization. However, there is another condition that renders everyone helpless, regardless of their status: sickness—especially fatal sickness. Under such circumstances, we embrace loneliness in a peculiar world, reflecting on our past, present, and future. Wisdom and human values emerge from us, but there is often no one to receive or appreciate them. In our phases of guilt and anguish, we undergo a form of purgation but rarely have the time to live a life of true purification.
The most profound realization in such moments is understanding who I am. I am merely a breath, fleeting and fragile, ready to end at any moment. Throughout my journey, many accessories—material possessions and statuses—cling to me, but they can fall away at any time. Therefore, there is nothing truly worthy of pride or boasting. The best way to navigate this journey is to share these accessories with those in need and to aim to die empty. When you leave this world with nothing, there will be many who proudly remember who you were.
Comments