Everybody knows

That's the underlying maxim that has driven most of our childhoods and many of our adulthoods. Am not talking about simple tasks like wearing uniforms or getting up on time. Those were part of straightforward command strictures laid down by our parents that were adhered to with or without exception.

Soon after early sparks of self-awareness and the formation of an identity called "me", we are made aware of the "others". Could be the society, neighbors, smarter classmates, better-looking classmates ...etc to infinity. We are distinctly made aware of this amorphous group that is observant of your move, your progress, and your actions in society.

Wear a short dress to run to the grocery store.

"Everybody knows that's not something you wear "

Struggling with GRE and deciding about moving abroad

" Everybody knows there are no opportunities in India "

Dealing with mid-career or mid-life depression and deciding on what to do

" Everybody knows having a kid will sort everything out "

Was reminded of the freakishly relevant Leonard Cohen song of the same name.

"Everybody knows that the dice are loaded

Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed"

When I stand on my terrace looking at the clouds, why do I feel like I am losing out on the race or losing in life? Is that the effect of everybody? Not really. Unfair to blame an unidentifiable set of people.

The only person to blame is me.

I have had some time in my life to think about this topic. Me being me, I didn't do anything productive like what to do with my life or plan for 10 years or something. I wanted to list down who this everybody was. After listing every single person in my life who could be collectively called the "everybody", I realized that I have wasted a lot of time. Like a lot.

I stare at clouds for an unhealthy amount of time. I marvel at the insignificance of the human race in the scale of universal time. I read obscure philosophical books, I re-read nondetailed syllabus books from our eighth standard. I also make meme templates and memes that are approximately viewed by a grand total of three people.

Am sure "everybody," thinks that's it's a waste of time, and am sure they think that I should apply positivity to improve my productivity.

One thing was very clear, this collective list of Everybody, which is technically you :), when taken together at its best achievements, represents my local maxima. I realized that I can never achieve what even a small percentage of this "everybody" has achieved

I also however realized that I wouldn't want to swap any second of my beleaguered existence with theirs, individually or collectively.

Do you know why?

Because I quite like the shape of this weird cloud that am staring at now. I also think that the human race will evolve to find my memes to be funny. Like thirukural and Thiruvalluvar

To everybody, hear me now :

Apply all the indirect pressure you want, I will overcome you like I overcome life's struggles every day. With forgetfulness and laziness.

Also, come over when you are free I will show you a weird cloud.