Our Parallel Lives
November 12, 2024
Writer: Ivette Flores Gomez
We encounter people – old, new, online, in person – every single day. But rarely do we stop to think about the lives of these individuals. Of course, most of the time, our energy should be invested in ourselves and what’s important to us. But, once in a while, I find that taking the time to observe others is truly enlightening.
Humans, while incredibly complex, are also so simple. Some prefer staying indoors, while others thrive outdoors. Some prefer being alone, while others seek the company of their loved ones. Some walk, some drive, some run, some bike. Some sing, some listen, some read, some talk, some observe. All of this, and so much more, occurs at the exact same time. Yes, this may seem like common sense, but when you truly think about what it entails, it’s a little bit mind-blowing.
I’ve recently started thinking about this more frequently, and every single time, I’m left in complete awe. My classmate sitting right next to me, although looking at the board in the same way I am, is living a completely different reality. They have different people in their lives, different hobbies, interests, thoughts, and experiences yet our paths have still managed to cross.
That’s truly what living on a planet with another 8 billion people is like. Everyone simultaneously acts and thinks differently, and then, when everything aligns, our parallel lives intersect. We cross paths with people whose lives overlap with ours for an instant. We share a moment, a smile, a look, maybe even a groan, and then, we return to our own worlds. Sometimes they stay in our lives, and our paths continue crossing from time to time, while other times, our lives remain parallel forever. These moments of intersection serve as a reminder of our shared humanity and the beauty of diverse experiences.
Nevertheless, no one’s life will intersect with ours all the time. From the moment we are born, we set out on our own adventure. And while this may seem isolating to think about, it is something we all share. It’s what makes the human experience so unique. All the same, yet so different.
