When I looked ahead to address the crowd, the crowd became no more.
Instead, the sight in front of me was something to my horror.
The brutal reality of life ahead looked me straight in the face;
It shook my hand and introduced itself as “Everyone’s Biggest Mistake.”

Startled and perplexed, I had questioned its meaning.
He said to me, “Well, my friend you are no different than any other human being; 
You will work a common job, nine-to-five, enslaved to societies standards.
Like most people on this Earth, in your life, you will just become the bystander.”            “Chances are you will not become rich from winning the lottery or becoming famous, 
but instead you will live a life, which in the big picture, was simply aimless.”

He paused for a moment, I suppose to take a breath or to recollect, 
and when he began to speak again, his approach was more upfront and direct. 
“Life does not have the ability to be like a fairy tale out of the story books, 
instead, the world is filled with rapists, murderers, pedophiles and crooks.” 
“So many people on this earth live in poverty, and even on the streets;
Some people in this world cannot even afford food for their families to eat.” 
 
“Some people in this world have to wear masks outside because of pollution in the air, 
you live in a world where you can get away with virtually anything if you are a millionaire.” 
“There are people in this world that cannot be themselves because of discrimination; 
You live in a world where your marriage has a 50% chance of separation.” 
“You live in a world where people worship celebrities, not Gods;
You live in a world, where to be successful, you have to defy the odds.” 
 
“Most people in this world do not know where they are going in life until they get there.
Life is something, that to most people, is harsh, cruel, depressing and unfair.” 
“I guess what I am trying to say is that life is an absolute catastrophe,
but I am also saying that if you make the most of life, it really does not have to be.” 
“Life can be cruel, but that does not mean it is completely worthless, 
you do not have to conform to society because you think it will give your life purpose.” 
 
As the last syllable left his mouth, he started to slowly fade away in front of me.
Slowly, but surely, my mind began to wander back to “reality.” 
Eventually I was brought back, and I was still standing in front of the same crowd,
I took a deep breath, gathered my thoughts, and began to read aloud: 
 
From this interaction I gathered a few points of advice for you all here today. 
Live is short, so do not indenture yourself to become society’s obedient slave.
Live spontaneously; you remember that vacation you thought about taking? 
You should do it, do not worry about responsibilities, you cannot live your life waiting. 
Buy that top you wanted, and maybe a new pair of shoes;
Life can be all you wished it could, but it is up to you to choose. 
Will you travel the world, be truly free, and see what life has to offer? 
Or will you be like every other person in this world and just become lambs to society’s slaughter? 

So, tell me now, friends, will you let your hopes and desires only exist in your dreams? 
Or will you find the key, unlock the cage, escape, and be everything you wished you could be? 
Because in the end, most people realize they took what this world has to offer for granted, 
And most people do not realize it until they are faced with a six-foot hole and a solid block of granite.