Deep Thoughts: Awareness

    You know that feeling at the edge of your vision? The one that sparks your instinct to look in one direction in case there is danger. Or when it’s dark and a simple shape turns into something more mysterious. Most might say it’s nerves, anxiousness, or paranoia. Maybe it’s the receptors in our brains telling us to be more aware of our surroundings. It’s certainly a reflex that some have controlled better than others. Ignorance is bliss but it pays to be aware.

    Paranoia gives you that feeling often, and whether it’s helpful or not depends on the level of danger in your life at any given time. Do you walk alone at night from work? Take the subways by yourself at odd times? Maybe you're surrounded by violently unstable individuals in your life? Whatever the situation, you can never be too cautious, and one day it might save your life. 

    Although even if one minimizes the amount of uncontrollable variables, if you work or live near other people then you'll always be in danger. Wrong place, wrong time. The person who waved as you drove to work one day was just arrested for being a sex offender. Your coworker who shared very unfunny jokes everyday, was previously arrested for domestic abuse. Even if you think you know someone well, we all hide secrets from one another. 

    It's no wonder the paranoid are so frugal with trust. For those of you who live mostly on the internet, well I hate to tell you but you're not very safe either. Awareness doesn't end and begin with anonymity. However hidden that screen makes you feel, it only takes someone with enough will and anger to find you. Let's hope you don't become that person. Be careful what you say when you think no one is listening and as always, stay safe.

-Navi

Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. Cohen