a story of two men who meet on the street

‘I’m going to take your life if you don’t give me your money.’

‘No, you’re not.’

‘Who’s going to stop me?’

‘I am. No one can take a life. Life is eternal.’

‘What the fuck are you talking about, man? I am going to slay you right here, right now, if you don’t give me all the money you have.’

‘You may slay me, but you cannot bring death to me.’

‘You are talking in circles, man. And I don’t have the time to listen to this bullshit anymore. I need some money and I’m taking it from you, even if I have to kill you.’

‘Well, like I said, you can’t take my life. So, if you want to waste your time trying for the few dollars that I have in my pocket, then bring it on. I’m not afraid of you, or death.’

‘What the fuck are you saying, man. It’s like you are outta your mind or something. I’ve got a knife in my hand and it’s coming straight for your heart. So, you better hand over all the money you have or it’s over for you. This will be your last day on earth.’

‘When you woke up today did you think things were going to go exactly as they have? Did you decide at some point along the way that you were going to confront a complete stranger and attempt to rob them of their hard-earned money, and if necessary, kill them in the process?’

‘What are you even asking me that for, man. It makes no sense, and doesn’t even matter. If you don’t hand over the money right now, I’m gonna stab you and take it.’

‘No, you’re not. I don’t believe you. You don’t want to kill me, you’re just hurting inside from all the shitty cards life has dealt you, and you’re playing the victim. Feeling all sorry for yourself. And listen, life is a bitch sometimes, but it isn’t your fault. And telling yourself that it’s everyone else’s fault that things are how they are isn’t serving you. Life just happens as it happens. Dig?’

‘Oh my fucking god. Now you’re talking to me like some preacher or some shit. I don’t want to hear it. Give me your fucking money, or prepare to die. The choice is yours.’

‘So true, you are wiser than you think, the choice is always ours to make. You aren’t going to stab me with that knife. And besides, like I said, death is an illusion. The circle of life spirals on eternally. Life is always being lived. What appears to die, is recycled. Reborn. Again, and again. So, you do what you got to do.’

‘Alright motherfucker. I’ll take the bait. If you aren’t afraid to die, and don’t even believe death is real, what’s the fucking point of all this, man?’

‘I’ve got no idea what the point of all this is. What do you think the point is?’

‘Don’t go answering my question with a question, I hate that shit. Man up and tell me what you believe, I’m gonna kill you anyway if you don’t give me your money.’

‘Ok. There is no point. We each decide whether there is meaning or not, and then proceed accordingly. Take this moment for instance. I was just walking down this deserted city street on this glorious night, minding my own business, and out of the darkness you appeared. Ready to take my money, and my life if necessary. Do you see any meaning in that, any point to it?’

‘Yeah. I’m trying to survive in this fucking world that has fucked me over time and time again, and I’ll do whatever it takes.’

‘Fair enough. But you tried running down your agenda with a fella like me, and I ain’t afraid to stay true to myself, no matter the consequence. Turns out you and I might not be so different. So, now what are you going to do, are you going to try and take my money, and kill me if I don’t give it to you, or are you going to look within and see if there might be another path for you in this moment, in this life?’

‘Damn you, I didn’t ask for any of this. I just need something to eat and a warm place to lay my head down. Why are you fucking with me like this?’

‘I’m not fucking with you brother, I’m life’s mirror reflecting you back to you. You have a heart of goodness, a light of love inside of you, just as we all do. And, as it turns out I can provide those very things you are needing right now. How about you give me the knife and we’ll take a walk down the street to a place I know?’

‘Alright, I’ll take you up on that. But just so you know, I was once a legend in my neighborhood. I had the world in the palm of my hands, and then it all fell apart. I wasn’t always like this.’

‘I’ve no doubt of that my friend, no doubt at all. So, what do you say we find that spark that still exists inside of you and turn it into a fire that lights up the whole sky?’

‘Right on, brother. Right on. And, thank you. Thank you.’

‘Anytime. No sense killing each other, as I see it. We’re all in this together. Always have been, always will be.’