It’s the End of the World as We Know It

“What do you mean the end of the world isn’t what I think it is?” I asked Iman. “What else could it be?”

“It could just be the end of the world as you know it,” he said as Yewell joined him in walking away from me into the vast expanse of nothingness that surrounded us.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, following after them. “Where are you going?”

“It means what it means and we’re going where we’re going,” said Yewell.

“You’re not going anywhere! We’re in the middle of nothing.”

“It often seems that way, doesn’t it?” said Iman.

The distance between us was expanding so I broke into a trot to keep up.

“Look around you,” I said. “There’s nothing here.”

“There’s as much here as there is anywhere,” said Yewell.

I quickened my pace as I started to lag, jogging behind the two aliens, who seemed to be going remarkably fast considering their leisurely gait.

“Where are you going?” I said.

“To the end of the world,” said Iman. “I thought that was obvious.”

It seemed that the harder I ran, the faster they went, though they never seemed to exert themselves more than a casual lope. I, on the other hand, was almost running. My lungs started to burn a little as they took in the cool air of the void. My thighs started to ache, and I felt like stopping to kick myself for not exercising more.

“But there’s nothing…”

Suddenly, they came to an abrupt stop. I nearly ran into them as I backpedaled, almost breathless.

“And here we are,” Yewell said with delight.

“Here we are?” I asked incredulously. “We’re right where we were before. We’re still in the middle of nowhere. It’s the exact same nothingness we just left.”

“No, I think it’s pretty different,” assured Iman.

“I think you’re a loony,” I said.

Iman and Yewell looked at one another and then looked at me. “Well, you sure look different.”

I stopped my heavy breathing long enough to look down and see that my shirt was untucked, and I was starting to glisten with sweat.”

“Well, of course I look different,” I said. “I had to chase after you two.”

“See?” said Yewell. “It’s the end of the world as you know it.”

“But it’s the same…”

“Steve,” Iman said has he held up a halting hand, “the changes in the outside world are of little consequence. It’s the change that occurs in you that matters.”

“But I thought the end of the world was literally the end of the world,” I said.

“It still may very well be,” said Yewell. “You people have been writing prophecies about it for centuries, and your behavior certainly lends itself toward the idea that you want to make it come to pass. Many of you are completely devoted to the idea.”

“But others of you,” Iman added, “those who are becoming conscious of your actual effect on life, are realizing that, come what may, the outcome of the external world is outside of your sphere of influence. Nevertheless, you are realizing your influence on your reaction to it.”

“And that,” Yewell continued, “is the true end of the world as you know it. It is the realization that by focusing on the things you can influence…”

“Namely, yourselves,” added Iman.

“…the things you think you can’t influence will somehow miraculously work out, or at least not have the effect you imagine.”

“And how do we do that?” I asked.

“By nurturing a healthy balance of courage and consideration,” said Iman. “That is the nature of win/win. By having the courage to know that there is a solution to every problem that you face if you only look for it, and having consideration for the perception others have of their own problems, you will truly create an all new world.”

“Bringing the end of the world as we know it,” I said.

The two aliens nodded.

“And bringing the realization of the abundance your fears have hidden from you.”

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Tags: end of the world, Sphere of influence, win/win