text: Once upon a time, there was a man who hated everyone. he wasn't always this way - growing up, he actually tried to befriend most people. However, as time went on, and the more he learned about the world, he became more and more cynical about humanity. Having been born right before the turn of the millenium, he grew up during a time of rapid technological change. So fast, that it made more sense to continuously reject social norms since by the time one had become comfortable with them, new ones had replaced them already. &#x200B; His hatred for humanity stemmed from ignorance - all around him, it seemed like those in his wealthy nation were solely concerned about making money and avoiding all forms of pain. These people were just absolutely horrid people - nouveau rich that could not be bothered to do anything but desperately seek out attention for being the best little boys and girls in the world. Whether it was having a high paying job or being seen at the trendiest restaurants or having the most prestigious educational pedigree, these yuppies wanted nothing more than to be validated - even if it meant hurting those around them. Living in their plush, luxurious bubbles, they had no time or interest to expend on others. When it came to history or philosophy or spirituality, they were poor as can be when it came to understanding and empathizing with the billions of other humans and animals that had the unfortunate misfortune of having to share a planet with these insufferable narcissists. &#x200B; Over time, the man became more and more cynical about these people. They had constantly let him down as he learned the ways that they lied and tricked people to get their way. There were even people who would feign interest in humanitarian causes just to superficially look good to get what they wanted, but when real sacrifices were needed, they would vanish. The lengths that people seemed to go for self-enrichment was truly abhorrent, and it seemed like there was no end in sight to the growth of such malignant social cancer in society. &#x200B; There were bright sides to recognizing such degeneracy and vulgarity. The deeper that the man's cynicality went, the greater his appreciation for those that exemplified grace and dignity. What shocked this man the most was the observation that it was the people that society seemed to reject and denigrate the most who actually displayed the highest levels of consciousness for their fellow conscience. Whereas the depraved were plastered over billboards and celebrated in all forms of media, the untouchables always seemed to exhibit a genuine compassion and love for those lucky enough to be in their lives despite being invisible. &#x200B; The man supposed that had he never had the abhorrent experiences with these covert barbarians, he never would have come to the realization of who the real champions of humanity were. It is said that experience is the best teacher, and this man was exceptionally well taught. Maybe that's all life is, the man thought to himself - a continuous cycle of disappointments that simultaneously flung you deeper into the pits of misanthropy while further exalting the holiness of those whose actions provided the hope to keep going anyways.