The Misanthrope

As time passes and I grow older, I observe some people around me trapped in the maelstrom of their ego and predetermined choices. Friendship has become more like a transactional exchange, love has devolved into a purely physical act, their rigid beliefs have become a part of their identity, revolutions are now mere discoveries, and their maturity seems more like decay.

I now cherish the company of those who can share their innermost selves with me, who are not afraid to experience both joy and pain, who can agree and disagree respectfully, who appreciate the diversity of others, and who can transcend their forced, superficial optimism to understand and respect the perspectives of those around them.

Mature thoughts, shaped by life experiences, gain value only when one is capable of evaluating them objectively.