The tale of the ten certainties

A long time ago, when we only just entered this world, we received a secret book. It contained an exact description of what was expected from our personalities. We were allowed to read the book, but then we had to forget it immediately, and especially not talk about the contents. Yet we would be judged according to it for the rest of our lives, and we ourselves would judge likewise. It is the Big Secret of our lives.

I have to admit that I started looking for that book at a certain moment in my life. As I could not make my life work. Things like this simply did not make sense to me: I believe what you tell me, only after I have checked it against my information, of which I assume that it is correct, and then it is still possible that you lie to me or have incorrect information, and I have the ability to know the difference. It did not work for me like that.

This morning I found the book, hidden in a dusty place. My curiosity made me open it and read it. Its contents did not surprise me, and yet: I had never seen it in writing:

live up to everybody's expectation
you know everything
whatever you do has to be perfect
you accept everybody the way he is, and everybody does what you want
you have a solution for everything
everything in your life is nice
your possessions are safe, and well-respected by everybody
you are better than any other person, and everybody accepts that
you have nice and satisfying relationships and work
your body is perfect

It even mentioned that not only you would not get any satisfaction whenever you would accomplish an item on the list, it also gave guidelines what to do whenever a situation would not give the suggested outcome:

avoid that kind of circumstances
justify yourself, in your own thoughts, and preferably against others as well
avoid having to experience these feelings by doing something else (like eating, watching tv, be very active, buy stuff, drink etc.)
project your feelings of unpleasantness onto others and then react irritated, threatened or displeased.
or use your body for it, and then put your energy into getting rid of the symptoms.

I have been sitting with the book in my hands for a while. And, to be honest, I have cried for a little while. Due to the deep feelings of recognition that it called forth in me. And that I am no fool or failure, and did understand the concept of life very well anyway.