PARADOXES THAT IS IN EXISTENCE BUT NOT SO APPARENT
Pleasure in Pain, Pain in Pleasure: Are We Living in a Paradox?
‘Pleasure’ and ‘pain’ two simple words, yet both deeply intertwined in the human experience.
Have you ever been in pain, but somehow felt a strange sense of comfort within it? Or found yourself in a moment of joy, while something beneath the surface quietly ached?
That’s what we call a paradox a situation that appears self-contradictory, yet may still hold a hidden truth.
Understanding the Paradox
By definition, a paradox is a statement or condition that seems impossible or contradictory, but in reality, reveals a deeper layer of truth.
And in our day-to-day lives, we often find ourselves living through paradoxes without even realizing it.
One of the clearest places these contradictions appear is in our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.
Emotional Paradoxes: The Pain of Joy, the Joy of Pain
Sometimes we laugh while feeling hollow inside.
Sometimes we cry, but feel relieved.
Sometimes we achieve something we longed for only to feel uncertain afterward.
These aren’t mood swings.
They are emotional paradoxes states where our inner experience doesn’t match the external reality.
They reflect our depth as human beings, where one emotion does not always cancel the other out.
Paradoxes in Society
These contradictions don’t exist only within us they’re everywhere around us too.
Let’s take a closer look:
1. We Reject Colorism But Still Chase Fairness
As a society, we claim to oppose discrimination based on skin tone.
We speak of accepting people as they are.
Yet, we continue using fairness creams, skin-lightening filters, and beauty-enhancing apps.
We say, “Be natural,” but still edit photos to fit into society’s standards of ‘beauty.’
2. We Want Talent to Win But Appearances Still Decide
We talk about recognizing people based on their talent, not their looks.
And yet, in many situations job interviews, casting calls, even relationships physical appearance still plays a major role.
The contradiction is subtle but undeniable.
3. We Reject Superficial Choices But Still Crave Ideal Partners
Many women feel disheartened when men judge them by appearance.
Yet, some of these same women also look for tall, fair, well-dressed men the very standards they hope society will move beyond.
This shows how deeply embedded certain expectations have become even in the minds of those who challenge them.
4. We Want Jobs Based on Merit But We Judge by Paper
We want to be selected for jobs based on our education, skills, and achievements.
Yet many employers today are not only looking at resumes they value attitude, adaptability, and problem-solving mindset.
Sadly, our education system continues to train students for certificates not for the human qualities that matter most in real workspaces.
5. We’re Always in a Hurry But Rarely on Time
We hustle, rush, multitask, and stay busy but still fall behind on deadlines and commitments.
This is a paradox of modern life: we do more, but feel less accomplished.
6. Strangers Are Dangerous Until They’re Married to Us
Since childhood, many of us are taught not to speak to strangers.
But when it comes to marriage, families often expect us to spend a lifetime with someone we've never even met properly before.
Isn’t that another paradox we live with, without questioning?
Living in the Shadows of Contradictions
These are just a few examples, but the list is endless.
Paradoxes shape our actions, choices, and beliefs whether we recognize them or not.
Sometimes they exist because of society.
Sometimes because of tradition.
And sometimes, because we are still learning how to align our ideals with our behavior.
But if we take a moment to pause, observe, and reflect we may begin to notice the paradoxes we ourselves are living with.
Truth is not always found in clarity. Sometimes, it hides inside contradictions.
Watch closely. Reflect deeply. You might just discover that you too are living in the shadows of paradox and the moment you realize it, you’ll start walking toward light.
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