Shadows of Illusion

The roads that lead to my college are decorated with large trees all along the side of the road. Trees that have huge branches that are strong and yet sway at the wind, leaves that brush into a unique and natural harmony with the moving of air, and best of all the dark shadows that tell you how shady and comfortable it would be as soon as you step out of the bus into the shades of the trees.

Stepping under the shade may protect you from the sunlight, but it doesn't provide you the cool shade that you desire or expect. Often we think that since the shadow and shade is so 'dark' it means that it should be cooling, right? After all, it's the sunlight that makes us hot.

Little do we remember that heat can be disseminated and spreads in the form of waves from higher temperatures to areas of lower temperature. The shade may temporarily lower down the heat, but it doesn't stop the heat from travelling.

Illusions.

A nation that speaks of no problems in the media is not a problem-free nation.
A country that doesn't address crisises in the public is not a crisis-free country.
A society that chooses not to look at arising issues around us is not a harmonious society.

It is a nation that leaves in convinced-delusion. Living in a state that believes that the truth is based on what sources and information the higher authorities provide them with. It's reliable! It's true! It's correct! Why bother to investigate or look further into it? It's just a waste of time. No questions asked, no need to think about the authenticity of the source.

It is a country that leaves in shadows from the lights of truth. It is a country where the leaders choose to shy (not shun) away from the problems that are arising. Instead of tackling the problem bravely and head on, instead of consulting the professionals and intellectuals, in their folly and foolishness, in their disguise and ego, they proudly and arrogantly claim that 'Problems cease to exist in this nation!'. They make stifle the people who point out the mistakes. They demand apologies from those who speak up and spit it out. They fear for their position more than their nation they should be serving. They see no evil, the evil of illusion and lies.

It is a society that promotes superficial and artificial tolerance. It is a society that is made up of people who choose to put on masks of happiness and spectacles of racism to promote racial 'integration'. Not realising that the a superficial tolerance is nothing more than a functional relationship, it is stretched to the limit when the function served on either side starts to diminish. Little will they realise that a function only promotes necessary mutualism, and a necessary mutualistic relationship holds no assurance of a lasting bond that the nation can be built upon.

Problem with us is simple. We are living in shadows. We chose to live in shadows. It's just about time that we step out of our comfort zone of illusions and start facing realities. Reality is that we aren't doing very well as a nation. Our GDP is one thing, but what about human relations, fundamental of a country's political and social development? So what with the Economic Growth, if we can't deal with racial integration effectively, can we last long?

The day we wake up to the realisation that we've been living in illusion, that's the day that we will begin to prosper. The point of time we choose to either walk out of the shadows and step into the light, we will clearly see the truth that has always been in front and yet away from our sight.

The day will come, but when? The time is near, but will we be in time?

Shadows of illusions are comfortable. Only for a short period of time, and not for long. No one likes the scorching heat, but it is the sun that provides us the nutritions that we need. No one wants to burn under the sun, but it is the tanning of the skin that teaches us to appreciate the shelter of a home built on the foundation of true democracy and social liberty.

Perhaps it's just me. Perhaps it's just me and my over-sensitivity problem I inherited from my mom. Perhaps I'm just being a paranoid in my very Joash way. Fine then, just forget about this ridiculous post and move on.

But what if I'm right and you're wrong?