Maybe you are amongst the billion viewers of Avengers Endgame. But even if that is not the case, some of the quotes from that last episode are memorable.
And I am pretty confident we should pay attention to a selected few.
I particularly picked one:
That is the message delivered by Frigga, Thor’s stepmother, somewhere along with the storyline. To her godlike stepson. Which could mean, ironically, that even gods are dwelling with the same challenges we humans have to cope with. If it only weren’t fiction.
Nevertheless, this same message, or task, that of knowing who you are and living it up, is as old as we can read or hear about.
Just to name a few references:
The ancient Greek aphorism “Know Thyself” as inscribed in the forecourt of the temple of Appolo, at Delphi.
The even more ancient Egyptian Sphynx enigma “Decipher me, or I’ll devour you”.
I am positive there must be more examples further back, and hundreds recently, in philosophy, religion, the arts. No time for that right now.
But the point is, we are still searching for the answer.
Why is it so difficult to understand who we are?
Even those who believe they discovered their true selves will learn that their findings might change over time.
I suspect this might be the explanation for the ongoing adventure. We keep changing.
Our ancestors, Egyptians, Greeks, or any others, might have uncovered hints. But the essence of the challenge evolves as we unfold ourselves.
In the end, are there any traits that can be really classified as human, or humane? That could provide an overall understanding of our deeper truths?
Even if we are not gods, or don’t look anything like heroes, it still worth our while to uncover, manifest, accept, and maybe improve our nature.
Don’t get me wrong. I think this is a fantastic time to be alive.
There’s plenty of room for improvement, though. Specially in an era when we face the possibility of merging our biological bodies with technology.