Thoughts on life

adapted from The Star, 'youth section' :

Have you ever felt like you have reached the point where you just don't care anymore? Not due to frustration or anything of the like but more like just one day realising that you've been going through life but you are not there (as in what makes you tick)? It's like somehow, someone flicked a switch somewhere and you just didn't realise it. You breathe, you eat, you sleep and yet you go through the day emotionless. Nothing fazes you because you are not there.

Each day passes and that day never returns. Never to be relived again. The choices made cannot be undone. The words said cannot be unsaid. The actions cannot be taken back. Tiredness overwhelms yet the sheer immensity that is life keeps turning the wheels. Never resting, never waiting.

Keep up or you will be left behind. You run and run, racing with the pack. Life passes you by yet you don't stop to look: you can't afford to lose time.

And then you finish. You lie there, motionless. The race is finished.

Congratulations, you've finished the race. You've reached the line. You're done. Done with life, done with studying, done with work, done with family, done. What did you live for? What race were you running? What was the prize?

Did you see the people cheering you along when you were running? No, you were too busy running. Or the cool, refreshing breeze that was blowing? You didn't feel them. You were too busy running.

The people who gave up on the race, who stopped by the side, not wating to continue - did you stop to help? No, you were too busy running. Did you learn from the traumas and troubles of your life? No. Did you enjoy the joy and happiness that graced your life? No. The pain, the tears, the joy - did you feel them? No, you were too busy running.

Do you remember the race? What were you running for? The race is over now. What did you win? What did you lose?

So are you living? Or are you staying alive? Stop running.