The Price of Security is Insecurity - Living well in a chaotic and complex world

The modern world is the epitome of security when taken from a historical perspective. We have taken a rough, difficult, dangerous, and unpredictable existence as human beings and, over many centuries, transformed it into a far more predictable, calm, and secure way of life. 

Now, by security and insecurity I don't mean the modern definition of the term - I don't mean confidence or lack of confidence in yourself. I mean something much deeper and more universal when I use these terms in this context. I'm talking about being truly secure and being deeply insecure as a human being in relation to the world around you.

​To better illustrate what I mean by these terms I'll provide an example:

• Deep Insecurity: A mouse is the epitome of an insecure creature. It is constantly afraid and anxious. You can see how anxious it constantly is by its never-ending frenetic movements. A mouse sleeps lightly, only to be awakened by the slightest sound or touch. It lives its life quickly and expends energy constantly making sure that its survival isn't threatened. 
• Profound Security: A lion is the epitome of a secure creature. Having had eons to evolve into the jestful but slightly true title "the king of the jungle" a lion is secure in its position relative to its surroundings. A lion is serene in its movements and almost stately in its general demeanor. You can easily tell that a lion is not concerned on a minute by minute basis about threats to its existence. 

Be the Mouse?

So, if a mouse is the epitome of an insecure creature and a lion is the epitome of a secure creature, why would I imply with my title that insecurity is somehow good - why would I imply that you should somehow be insecure? Because you're not a lion. 

You're not a lion - you're a fragile human being that has to be concerned with far more than his or her place in the animal kingdom. You have to be concerned not only with your survival today in a physical sense, but with your survival in a financial, career, emotional, and mental sense. Life more difficult for us human beings - we're competing on more playing fields. ​

Security = Death

Although being too deeply insecure will cause you mental trauma, the only way to truly have security in any of the places where it is important is by being constantly insecure. The moment you are too secure you're dead meat. The moment you're content with your situation or position or the moment you let your guard down you give room to the cold and harsh world and those in it to destroy you. Don't give the world or any person that room - be constantly vigilant and never feel sorry for yourself for it. 

Don't feel bad for being insecure - the modern world we live in makes us think that a sense of security is one of the ultimate goals in life. In today's world too many people feel that we should have a constant sense of peace and calm and security - we want to feel like everything is ok and that there's nothing to worry about. Stop wanting that and realize that the game will never end and the struggle will never cease - the moment you overcome something, there is something else waiting for you. The moment you achieve some sense of security, there is something else to be on guard against. You must stop putting so much value on being in a calm state - a calm state means nothing and is nothing. A state of vigilance and security in everything you do is another state and it's not less good - it's the natural state of a creature as fragile as us.