How Are You Living in the Matrix?

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid

One saying by Benjamin Franklin, which disturbed me, and thoughts tirelessly dripped out, again.

Are you the person who seeks the truth? Who thinks beyond what you see? Who questions the status quo? It does not quench the curious one. Maybe, just maybe, you also have the same line of nuances as I have.

There are a lot of points to discuss, but I'd like to play abecedarian. Learning the rudimentary.

First, do you know what Matrix is?

The Matrix is the organized social status in which people live their programmed lives.

When you try to decipher the movie The Matrix's underlying meaning, Keanu Reeves, you realize it was not a mere sci-fi action-packed top-rated motion picture, but a documentary. A depiction of the real-world scenario, which I believe you won't adhere to, and contest the idea.

But hell yeah! We are living in a world governed by a few.

Presently, fifty percent of the malls opened in our perceived reality last week, May 17, 2020, in a modified, enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status.

News outlets covered this news in every corner of the nation. To quote some reporters: "malls now reopened for business, and you can buy again clothes, shoes, bags, even pieces of jewelry." This and other stuff capitalists offer. And I bet my pinkie, consumerism flickered in your derriere.

With the lockdown and ECQ, we should have exercised sound discernment. It was two months of our disrupted lives, and it had slowed everything down.

There are many lessons from this unprecedented time—a lot to gnaw, a lot to be thankful for.

Here are five things we should look into and reflect on.

1. Look inside your wardrobe; what's the use of those color-coded clothes? Those shoes, bags, and belts? Have you worn them and walked on the high pavements lately?

Or have you pondered some thoughts, you had bought that stuff primarily because of its beauty; subsequently, you want your colleagues to be in awe and highly appraise your appearance?

You don't please yourself; you please others.

You have posted so many #OOTDs on social media for what? Likes? Hearts? Reaction from people you barely liked.

You can carry a burlap, and people would not notice. Some would, because that is where their insecurity lies.

Remember that, however, one perceives it based on the perception of oneself.

2. Cars. When you are living in the metro, this is a necessity. It takes you to your destination at a painstakingly slow pace, especially when your dwelling place is in Metro Manila.

But now, look around. Scarce transportation. Free rides to work for essential workers. But what's in quintessence now is the bicycle—a convenient means of travel.

Ostentation becomes obsolete.

No one cares about the brands anymore—nobody second-guesses a flashy luxury car.

Across the globe, cars nowadays accumulate dust in garages, on side streets, and wherever you may have parked them.

3. Credits. It has been necessary to some, but I know some people who don't use credit cards and pay in cash, the full amount, and not on an installment basis. That's financial IQ.

I don't believe in spending wisely: use a credit card instead of cash.

Unless you manage your resources well, but when your expenditure covers more on item #1, then maybe it's a favorable time to sit down and take a breather.

And it is also sad to note that there are mortgages that some people can hardly afford per month.

4. Appearance. When we were too busy setting aside a portion of our budget for a bi-monthly salon visit, whether to get our hair done or nails repainted.

Maybe, restrain a shriek for every pull of your hair when you were trying to be smooth.

But hey, you are still happy with trims nowadays, and you saved how much again?

5. Celebrities. Oh! Your life goes on with no qualms about television shows.

Entertaining you while digging your purse.

Have you thought of that? You were so programmed to believe you were engaged, and you even watched all the ads and tried the products your favorite stars were endorsing.

They earn millions from giving you entertainment while you are still living paycheck to paycheck.

But come to think of it, many stars have lost their shine for the 2 months of not gracing the boob-tube. Some of them are trying hard to stay relevant by being present on social media, yet what difference do they make compared to you, ordinary citizens?

None! Equally, we are all vying for others' attention. That's why we keep posting on social media.

2 months!

It only takes 21 days to create a habit, and we are already nearing the 3rd month of being quarantined, and ere long, we will have created a new normal.

Resiliency is the key to getting in the loop. Everything had halted; everybody's life was disrupted; the world had changed drastically. Businesses we thought were steady and on safe ground closed down.

Schools stopped.

Churches' voices were at a minimum.

Food business, unspoiled, but not all are free to operate.

Apparel shops are surplusage.

Jewelry stores lost their glitter.

Furniture shops accumulate dust.

The values of luxury purses and bags diminished.

Cosmetics become irrelevant.

Money now is being used primarily for food and bills. They are the two most basic needs nowadays: bills covered, home, electricity, water, and internet. No more dine outs; No more salary weekend sale; No more movie dates; No more eat-all-you-can.

And you saved how much again?

Probably you have shopped online during quarantine, but mostly you have been buying essentials for your home or necessary items for your work-from-home setup. I could attest to that.

And I hope you, too, have already realized that this unprecedented time is probably difficult, but it has taught us many things.

It is okay to live a basic life.

To appreciate and prioritize family.

To stay home even during long weekends.

To cook and eat together rather than queueing up to be seated at a buffet.

Last, to love yourself by staying healthy.

We had a life full of hypocrisy, and now we have to live truthfully.

We see what Matrix is all about.

Regardless of where we are, life is just composed of family, a home, good health by boosting our immune system, food to eat, water to drink, good hygiene, and a smile on our faces. Other than these are mere add-ons, which capitalists will gain power again, leeching from our ignorance.

"The ignorant is ignorant of his ignorance."—Peter Baskerville

Originally written and published on May 25, 2020, amidst the pandemic scare and sentiments. Upon this writing, around 45-67% of the country and the world are trying to go back to normal.

Probably, you have already reflected on your life, and 2021 is a whole new year for you to live your truth.