The Danger of Losing Yourself
It Can Happen So Suddenly
Welcome to a very special issue of the YouTopian Journey. This post was originally published on Medium, but without the additional art work and material. Unlike other issues, this one is a special edition that will focus on a very important topic, not only for society, but for personal wellbeing. The danger of losing one’s self. We will be back next week with our regularly scheduled content.
THE GREATEST DANGER
“The greatest hazard of all, losing one's self, can occur very quietly in the world, as if it were nothing at all. No other loss can occur so quietly; any other loss- an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife, etc.-is sure to be noticed.”-Soren Kierkegaard
As a species, we are strange paradoxes. We love ourselves more than anything and anyone else, but are quick to lose the greatest parts of our being without a second thought. There is no fortress or citadel to protect one’s self, and many never recover from such a loss.
It is ironic. We will stop at nothing to protect our belongings, our property, our reputations, and our livelihoods, but when it comes to one’s self, we fight no battles. We accept criticism for truth and opinions as gospel. Any attempt that we make that ends in failure is taken personally. This is not only foolish thinking, but fatal thinking!
But why?