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The Lies We Live By: The Hidden Cost of Society’s Definition of Success
How to stop chasing illusions and build a life of real meaning and fulfillment
We all feel uncertain today. We wake up to headlines about economic downturns, layoffs, and crises. Our minds race through a thousand “what ifs” — what if I lose my job? What if my savings disappear? What if the world as I know it changes overnight?
The only certainty we have is that the world is full of uncertainty.
Yet, we abhor uncertainty. It makes us feel anxious and keeps us from sleeping at night. Our inability to put that worry to rest makes it difficult to enjoy the things that should bring us happiness.
The result is that people seek reassurance in an unreliable world. Just like a “healthy” option at a fast-food chain, if people want to buy it, someone will sell it. The question is, what are we buying, and does it do what we are told?
Reality Can Be Harsh
As a physician, I know that when people come to the hospital with a problem, fixing the problem is not their primary concern. What they want is relief from the pain and anxiety. Oh, it would be nice to get the problem fixed, too, but alleviating the pain and anxiety is their primary concern.
