Take the Red Pill Every Day

Recently, I had a close encounter with death. Death is an excellent advisor. Knowing of one’s imminent demise puts everything in perspective and helps cut through all the bullshit. So, while in the midst of my recent rendezvous with death, I asked “death” for advice: “What do I need to know to get the most out of life with the time I have left?” The answer was immediate: Take the Red Pill every day…

In case you’re one of the few people reading this article who did not see the movie, The Matrix, let me explain. In the movie, the main character, Neo, is given the option to take a blue pill or red pill. The blue pill represents playing it safe, self-deception, and living in a dream world. On the other hand, the red pill represents taking a risk, searching for the truth, and embracing one’s higher destiny.

Of course, Neo takes the red pill. Who would want to see a movie where the main character goes for a life of boring, self-deceptive unconsciousness? No one. Yet, for too many days of my own life, I have taken the blue pill. I expect I’m in good company. So why do we take the blue pill day after day? I think it has to do with the fact that it’s super easy to go the way of the comfortable blue pill. Also, we forget that our time on Earth here is very limited.

What Would You Do?