Epilogue
Renata’s life had not been a fairy tale, but how many people can truly claim that theirs has been? There had been ups and downs, yet when people look only from where they stand, instead of from a bird’s-eye view, those low moments can feel bigger than life, almost astronomical. From that narrow angle, they allow themselves to become overwhelmed, convinced that no one else has endured the trials they have, that no one has seen the horrors they have seen, and that no one understands their pain.
Of course, this is not the truth. But try telling that to someone who has just lost a loved one, someone who has just been diagnosed with a fatal disease, or someone whose only child has fallen victim to a violent crime. When pain is not acknowledged or dealt with, it can morph into something almost unrecognizable. What began as one set of problems in a person’s path can branch out into a completely different path of problems. It is no wonder that people do, say, and feel things without a full understanding of why.
The answer almost always lies somewhere in one’s distant and not-so-distant past.
There are three types of people: the conscious, the unconscious, and the soulless. Conscious people are often in touch with themselves and those around them. They educate and enlighten themselves to improve the quality of their own lives, the lives of their loved ones, and the lives of those around them. Though not perfect, they understand, or are seeking to understand their past, their present, and their future. They know that we all have a destiny to fulfill, and that there is no such thing as “not my problem.” Being human, we carry some responsibility to each other. The same child you pass on the street today and dismiss as “not your problem” could become a problem for a future generation, a generation that will almost certainly include children or relatives you know and love.
Unconscious people are not necessarily uncaring. In fact, many people living unconsciously are, in other ways, very caring. The key issue is that they are not awake; they are sleepwalking through the narrowness of their own lives and experiences. Lacking empathy and a deeper understanding of life, they have not come to terms with who they really are, how the past has contributed to their present, or how the past will continue to shape their future. They are unaware of their true destiny or are pursuing the wrong path because they are following someone else’s direction. They are unconscious.
As painful as the past can be to confront, it is important to be clear about it so that one can improve who they will be in the future. Many people who are still living unconsciously cannot yet grasp their responsibility, or their accountability in this world. They do not realize that everything they do, or fail to do, has an effect on the world we all share.
Soulless people are just that: soulless. They are fully conscious of the effect their decisions have on others but simply do not care. They are often educated and enlightened about how their past impacts the future and fully aware of the influence they have on the lives around them. They are not perfect, but do not try to convince them of that. These people understand that every life carries a destiny to be fulfilled, but it matters little to them. The only thing that truly matters, in their case, is self-gratification.
Although many are searching for meaning and relevance in life, Renata’s experiences make one thing clear: no one can wait for, or depend on, others to hand that meaning to them. People have different motives for the things they do, and no one should be fooled by appearances. Life is not always a neat little package; what looks like one thing can easily turn out to be another. One must watch and gauge closely those who want to be part of one’s orbit and be selective, because one’s heart, life, and well-being may depend on it.
Renata’s journey had already shown which path she was willing to take: not unconscious, not soulless, but fully conscious and awake to her past, responsible for her present, and committed to walking out her destiny with her whole heart.