Cheesecake Society

Once upon a time, my bestfriend, my dog, and myself went for a walk. While we strolled the streets of Berlin, our conversations went from cheesecake to this:  

“Do you think it is justified to live as we do?” I asked bestfriend.

“What do you mean? She asked reluctantly. I could tell that she was a little annoyed from my over-analyzing, constantly questioning, critical self.  

I didn’t miss out on the chance to answer anyways.

“Obviously, we are part of the problem. Because we live the way we live, others suffer”. 

“Mh.” She replied. 

For many who feel an affinity for themselves, other humans, and non-humans, the world is checkered with challenges. Challenges like climate change. Challenges like the sixth great extinction. Challenges like inequality. Challenges like mental health. Because the challenges seem too big to handle, we prefer talking cheesecake. 

“I really like cheesecake with a touch of lemon,” I said while we continued walking. 

In many ways, we have become a cheesecake society. Instead of facing reality, we distract ourselves. We have lost touch with reality because it seems too painful to handle. When we are out of touch with reality, we first lose touch with what is out there and then with what is in here. We are physically alive, but we don’t feel alive. We start to feel numb to life. The joy of being alive gets sucked out of us. True joy of life can only exist when we are in touch with both sides: the good and the bad. When we deny one side, we automatically deny the other. 

We passed my favorite cheesecake café. “Should we go inside?” I asked. Best friend opens the door. We go inside. We sit down. “What can I get you guys?” A peppy brunette in a colorful coogi sweater takes our order. We order two lemon cheesecakes. When they arrive, we take a huge bite. I sigh in relief. 

The End.