Why you can’t read minds

Photo by Thu Anh

It’s not because you’re unworthy

Humans have always been fascinated by the supernatural. It’s one reason we needed to believe in something; something beyond us and while most of us believe in the presence of a divine being watching over the cosmos. We also are thrilled about the possibility of developing superpowers. It’s why superhero movies continue and will continue to thrive.
How can we combat the effects of gravity? How can we have skins impermeable to the elements? How can we live forever without an elixir of immortality?
We seek the answers in the supernatural and sometimes combine the mystical with the scientific.

Imagine waking up today with the ability to read the minds or hear the thoughts of another. The world would be a better place for you wouldn’t it?
No one can lie to you because you can just know the truth easily and effortlessly.
But there are some things you may not have considered.

If you can hear people’s thoughts about you, you wouldn’t want to be friends with them.
You wouldn’t want to find out that the person right in front of you saying they believe in you only believes you can’t make it and the words are just false words of hope to you.
You’d be shocked that among those you call friends only a select few have your interests at heart.
You’d get to find out that your best friend was the one who ruined your relationship.
You’d get to realise that the real reason you were told to stay in that small town was out of selfish self-interest without consideration for your growth.
You’d be stunned at the number of so-called friends who want your life. Those who’d do anything and go any mile to make you fall.
You’d see that those who you’ve placed at the front rows of your heart don’t even cherish you. You’d be shocked to see that some of those persons you’ve held in contempt actually love and cherish you.
This will bring a sense of wonder in you and a resonating feeling that we should treat everyone equally and not be biased because true friendship in the end is about those who stand by us in everything.

If you can hear people’s thoughts about you, you wouldn’t want to live with them.
You wouldn’t want to find out that your so-called other half lacks trust in you, or fakes being happy when with you.
You’d realise that the sex was terrible and they always faked it.
You’d realise that those silent calls and hidden texts were not from the office.
You’d realise that you were lied to continually.
You’d discover the hidden property bought under a different name.
You’d discover the secret accounts.
You’d realise that the one person you should trust above all looks at you like you’re foolish.
You’d come to notice that the decision you took some months ago without them still stands firmly on their heart causing resentment.

If you can hear people’s thoughts about you, you wouldn’t want to work with them.
You’d realise your supervisor hates you and belittles your efforts out of spite.
You’d realise that your promotion is on hold because they just don’t like you.
You’d realise that despite the effort you put into the actualisation of company objectives, you’re under-compensated and unappreciated. They clobber you mentally till you feel you can’t make it apart from them when in fact you’re an invaluable asset.
You’d realise that your colleagues covet your position and yearns to take your place. The same people who compliment you publicly pull you down before the management any chance they get.
You’d be shocked that some co-workers pray you get fired. They smile at you and yet they can’t stand you.
You’d see how much people envy you and want to be you.
You’d see you really have few allies and only one in a million has true intentions towards you.

The realization that the whole of humanity is enshrouded by this gulf of lies becomes shockingly overwhelming.
Lies we tell our friends, families and loved ones. You’d come to realize that a large percentage of the human race are chronic manipulators. Kids manipulating parents to get what they want. Spouses manipulating each other. Politicians manipulating the masses. It’s just a cycle. This can easily lead to you being disillusioned by humans and life in general.

This can lead to addiction. Being addicted to reading the thoughts of another can become something you just cannot do without.
You wouldn’t walk down a street with a hooded figure standing there without reading their minds to know if you’re safe or not.
You wouldn’t enter any relationship without reading the thoughts of your intended.
You wouldn’t make a deal without knowing the thoughts of your business bedfellow.
You’d even read the thoughts of strangers for fun.
This power can lead to a corruption because any form of power can be corrupted.
You can read the minds of others to enrich yourself.
You can steal ideas and innovations from others.
You can steal information from one and sell to the other. You can destroy corporations, families and even countries.
You can act as a spiritual leader and use your power to deceive others.
You could make yourself a demi-god creating a servient following for yourself.
You can be and do almost anything.

Having such a superpower can be a burden. You may be caught in a dilemma knowing the truth about two persons close to you. Then you’d have to choose between speaking out or keeping quiet. It’d take great deal of discipline and self-control to hear someone lie to u whilst you can hear the truth seeping from their heart.
Many of us lack self-control. We just cannot but react. So we won’t be still. It’ll drive us insane to know the truth yet act ignorant. We will surely make moves and let the other person know that we can see beyond the facade of the fake smiles.
But without this ability. You will be a little bit saner. You’ll make guesses and predictions as usual. Not knowing who truly loves you but using words and actions to judge others. You may fall for the tricks of narcissistic individuals and professional manipulators but you’ll get up and move on.
You’ll rely on your gut instinct when dealing with others.
You’ll use psychological principles to read non-verbal cues and you’d match them with what’s being said.
You’ll become like everyone else trying to waddle through life by believing in the best in others.