I specifically remember thinking in 5th grade that my life was something like a movie or video game. This is because, at a young age I recognized a pattern.
- Unpredictable things happen
- I choose my reaction to the unpredictable thing
- my action reacts with the unpredictable thing
- causing again: Unpredictable things to happen
This pattern made me feel like I was living out some kind of 24 hour movie everyday (or maybe a show, because no one would sit in a theater for that long) or playing some kind of video game. I never remember bringing this to the attention of anyone but I suspect other people have felt this way.
So you can imagine my confusion when my friend made the comment: “I bet you think you’re the main character huh”. My response of course was well, of course, I do, don’t you? This provocation has led me to further explore this idea, in my own head and rarely with others.
What is my conclusion? and do I have a big ego? Well, if we specify the question to “Am I the main character of my own life?” the answer seems to be very strongly yes for each of us. What do we consider the main character in a show but the person who we see and learn the most of.; or the one who participates in the most story arcs. Since we constantly learn about our own responses to things, see our own hands and bodies, and see ourselves (hopefully) grow over time, it seems we must be the MC. So yes, I would say each one of us is the star of our own blockbuster film in one way.
It is also true that you will only ever be able to see through your own eye’s and live with your own brain, putting your individual experiences in a place of power above others around you. Making your “individual story line” more impactful than even those of your closest friends. This thinking does tend to be egocentric, so be careful! There is a big difference between thinking “I am in control of a few things in my life that no one else is” and thinking “I’m the only one who matters”.
We might be the ones who control a few things in our own lives but we also control a few things in the lives of all those who we come into contact with. So just remember, while you do get to play yourself in a wonderful exciting movie, acting with love to those around you will improve everyone’s movie even your own.
thanks,