What makes us human

One of my greatest fears is not living while I’m alive. And although it sounds simple, it’s a fear that shows up in my life in the most subtle and mysterious ways. Every time I doubt what my heart tells me and let my mind take over. Every time I dismiss a sensation in my body that’s trying to guide me. Every time I whisper to myself, “Don’t be silly, it’s not that big of a deal.” In those moments, I’m choosing —without meaning to— to let the fear of living run my life.

The line is thin. And even if we try to convince ourselves otherwise, every decision —those 35,000 daily choices we barely notice— shapes our direction. And therefore, our life. That ongoing dialogue between our nervous system and us: sometimes it knows better than we do where yes and where no; other times it activates unnecessarily, reminding us of an old wound or scar.

And yes, it sounds like a lot of work. But what’s truly exhausting isn’t listening to ourselves… it’s not listening. Letting ourselves be carried by what “should” be right, by correctness, by what others consider acceptable or politically appropriate.

This article is shorter than usual.

Intentionally.

The message doesn’t need extra words that pull us away from the body, from the present, from what is alive in us right now —even if we can’t name it. This moment —exact, imperfect, necessary— in which we are living and feeling exactly what we need to live and feel. So we can keep choosing to be alive, second by second.

When was the last time you decided to accept your life as it is, and your right to be alive? Because being alive means risking suffering. And also, the beautiful risk of being happy.