Youth: Pondering Life Through a Philosophical Lens

How often do you find yourself wearied by the seemingly endless stream of negativity surrounding you? It's as though a perpetual cloud hovers, tinting your world view with shades of grey. This narrative may resonate with the youth of today, and indeed with many of us. But consider the wisdom of a philosopher who suggests that sometimes, it's not the world that's inherently dark – it might just be the glasses through which we view it.## Vision ObscuredWhen a young person exclaims, 'How am I to make sense of this world?' the philosopher responds with an analogy that serves as a gentle reprimand: 'It's as if you see the world through dark glasses, so naturally everything seems dark.'Indeed, our perspectives shape our realities. Our proverbial 'glasses' could be tinted by past experiences, societal narratives, or personal fears. We perceive troubles and tribulations through these lenses, thus confirming our bleakest suspicions.## Removing the GlassesBut what if, as the philosopher inquires, we '...just remove the glasses?' Could it truly be that simple? 'Perhaps the world will appear terribly bright to you then and you will involuntarily shut your eyes. Maybe you’ll want the glasses back on...'The idea here is not that the world is without its genuine share of problems – rather, that our perception may exaggerate these issues or prevent us from seeing the good that coexists alongside them.## The Challenge of PerceptionThe philosopher leaves us with a poignant challenge: 'Can you even take them off in the first place? Can you look directly at the world? Do you have the courage?'These questions target the core of our emotional and intellectual habits. It suggests a form of bravery is required to see the world as it is, rather than how we have been conditioned to see it.## Conclusion: Embracing LightThe conversation between youth and philosopher is more than a simple lesson in optimism. It invites introspection about our perception of life. As we examine our 'glasses', let's consider the potential for change, both within ourselves and the world around us. By daring to view life through a clearer lens, maybe we can find the courage to see things in a new light, and perhaps uncover a reality richer and more vibrant than we ever imagined.Do we dare to take off the glasses? Or better yet, do we dare not to?