Coming of Age

Of course, everyone knows the Biblical quote regarding the end of
innocence;  "When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a
child, I fought as a child, but when I became a man I put away childish
things." from 1st Corinthians...(but, without the hopeful upswing that
precedes and follows.) For to have blinders stripped away, to see things
for what they truly are, although sobering, is not any kind of pleasantry.

This world is one of distraction, illusion, and con-artistry.
We are formed from youth to imagine a world where fair play and hard
work are justly and regularly rewarded. Not only does adherence to
this notion ensure that we will be demolished most swiftly by a world
whose other players most certainly do not subscribe to such fallible
notions, but we are also set up so that--should we survive years of
assault while maintaining said outlandish principles--we will be worn down
spiritually and emotionally as we come to grips with the falsehoods
of our teachings....betrayed, misled, and unprepared.

Learning that all you know is a lie is a daunting revelation, under
the best of circumstances. But to find yourself unprepared for battle in
an environment where most others still in the fight have been preparing
and hardening for decades? It's a formidable task, catching up and
learning on the fly.

Police, landlords, bosses, lawmakers, business owners, politicians,
the wealthy, property owners...these are the people with the power.
These are the ones the rest of us demure to, regardless of how well
we cater and kowtow and play the game. Even if you do so amicably,
you're still under the boot heel of the masters.

They make the rules, and control our lives. It isn't pleasant, and it isn't
easy to admit. All those idealistic pleasantries about 'changing things'
and 'living a good life' are out the window. This is the savage land....
the real deal....the hard reality....the long-avoided starkness.

It's not enough to expose darkness. To penalize it. To counter it.

It's a never-ending tale of endless grief and pain. The only way to
win is to stop avoiding the obvious; darkness reigns, and the only way
to 'defeat it' is to attain it and possess it for yourself.

And only a radical, savage, fundamental rules change will cause that to happen.

Recognize, acknowledge, accept...then internalize. It's kill or be killed,
and the 'adult' world will not be kept waiting.

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