The need to feel small

Ever noticed we all have this need to feel small? It manifests itself differently in different people, but it is there in all of us. Some of us bow to gods, some to elders, some to forces of nature. In olden days, people bowed down to the will of a king or an emperor.

Why is this so?

I think it is because we ARE small. I think human beings were never meant to be the largest, or the biggest, or the most powerful. Even the proudest man is smaller than at least one thing (often of his own choosing). Be it his country, his mission, his cause or his mother. Sometimes, people do step into that hallowed space meant for the ultimate big, but we have all heard about pride and the fall, haven’t we?

Our world is designed in a way so as to appear unfair. It disappoints us, angers us, makes us believe we are alone and small and insignificant. I think that is correct. But I also think that the subtle question this unfair world poses in front of us is, "Yes. You are small and weak and insignificant. What are you going to do about it?"

It sounds rude, and a lot of us grow even smaller under its shadow. But in truth it is just a simple question. And those of us who manage to answer this question through their pain and their utter helplessness… the world listens to them.

I believe we feel small so we may look up into things bigger than us and aspire, so we may learn to be bigger than we are.