To borrow an idea from Manly P. Hall, insecurity is the great measure of the 21st Century. This all-encompassing anxiety and fear has seemingly put us in an epidemic paralysis. For all intents and purposes humanity is becoming the literal collective unconscious.
Apathy is now the rule by which great "lords" come to power.
We are all faced with constant impending doom, fear of one's peers and neighbors, anxiety over decisions and obligations and/or and the overly real pain of one's personal hardship. For this reason most of us desire complacency and acceptance - simply a break from the torrential flood of anxieties which seemingly drown the thoughtful individual.
Some of us will realize at some point or another, however, that sometimes we do things, "Not because they are easy, but because they are hard."
We tirelessly desire challenges beyond the material - challenges which develop us into better versions of ourselves. Challenges of integrity such such as putting all others first, even at great personal cost and in the face of grave odds. It is a satisfaction unlike any other.
And we aspire to these stars knowing full-well we might not ever make it there ourselves.
Countless obstacles try to break this spirit. In time it will be tempered. Temperance, however, in turn hardens more resilient material.
Despite any number of catastrophes, plagues, riots, fascist dictatorships and institutions of slavery designed to break their Will, this Will can never be truly broken. Even in death.
For as long as there will be people - at least one of us will always never stop working for a better tomorrow for all of us.
And that should be a comforting thought indeed.
Top image is a portrait of an incident at the Tienanmen Square Protests on June 5th, 1989. It's a brilliant, license-free version with an inspiring story of its own from Michael Mandiberg.
Just thought I'd share some positive, personal thoughts based on my observations. Now let's kick some ass!
Special thanks to exemplary Steemians like 
