Gene lottery

October 12th, 2024

I won it. And I keep forgetting it, and keep complaining and bitching on subjects and issues that have no direct meaning to me and no direct influence on me. I should remember more often how tremendously lucky I am, and be grateful for it.

I was born a white man in a developing and stable country in times of boring peace with a strong social safety net in place. I had strong family ties, with comforts and fulfillment of needs that went along with them. I was able to move from one place to another, to develop skills that I still use to make a living. I was able to make a living in a way I thought was proper and develop myself without outside interference and pressure. I was able to pursue my interests without any imposed or forced values or morals. I was and still am able to enjoy good health — both physical and mental. I had and still have access to all the tools and developments of the modern era. I am very lucky with all that.

And my failings — numerous as they are — are only and solely my fault. There is no outside governing agency that has influenced my life or stopped me from achieving what I could have. There was no political system that pushed me down and would let me realize what I wanted in life. There is no conspiracy anywhere that was designed to keep me down and keep me in check. No political or social force stopped my fulfillment in life. There is no group of “other” people who I should hate and blame for faults in my life. It is all on me. And as much as I could have been more in life, I am very lucky to be where I am now. And grateful as well.

As an aside, I wish that those who talk the loudest about personal responsibility took a hard look at themselves in the mirror and finally took that responsibility instead of blaming others for their failings.