A week ago during a break from work, I happen to chance upon a page containing something that Keanu Reeves allegedly said.  I say “allegedly” because there has been no official confirmation coming from the Hollywood actor’s side about it.  Lots of things have been said about him, but one thing I do notice is that he’s not your typical big-star-actor person.  He doesn’t hog the limelight, lays low most of the time until lo and behold, he has a new movie out.  But I don’t want to talk about him as a person, but more of what he allegedly said.  And based on the content and how it was said, I’m not at all surprised that it may come from him.  But whether or not it actually did come from him, the read itself has been meaningful for me.

From my understanding of that so-called piece (for lack of a better term), he simply describes how the world works in this present generation.  I found myself reading it thrice at least on that day, and at least four more times during the week.  And as I read and re-read it, I slowly realized that he is right.  From what I can comprehend, we as a human race have become too comfortable in and around the advancements in technology and lifestyle that we’ve had over the last few decades.  Being born in the ’70s, I have lived life–probably half of it already–seeing the large gap between how life was when I was growing up and how millennials are being raised; and even how people within my age group have adapted and embraced the present lifestyle while completely ignoring the values they have been taught (if any).  Seeing these things around him, he wanted to step back from everything that’s going on; resigned to the fact that things may only get worse by simply beginning with, “I cannot be part of a world,” and lists everything for him that’s gone wrong.

There are some lines in that piece that really stuck to me.  One is, “ (I cannot be part of a world) where there is no concept of honor and dignity, and one can only rely on those when they say ‘I promise.'”  These days, one cannot count on one’s spoken word until those last two words are added.  We became too forgiving to the notion that in this day and age and a fast-paced lifestyle, things can always change in a heartbeat due to whatever reason; and that we should always be open to the fact that whatever was said can’t be set in stone.  I have always followed through everything I say and commit to other people; whether it be family, friends, colleagues, that I rarely add the words, “I promise.”  Have we become so jaded that we can always take back what we say and can easily apologize and act like nothing happened afterwards?  Yes, things or circumstances can easily change; but how will the person see you if you let those changes affect your commitment and eventually constantly go back on your word?

“(I cannot be part of a world) where the concept of jealousy is considered shameful, and modesty is a disadvantage.”  In this age of social media, people are heavily encouraged to promote themselves out to the world.  While this helps people come out of their shell, the concept of doing it too much comes into play.  And when there are some who prefer to keep a laid back approach, this is now generally viewed toward the negative; that it won’t do anyone good and they will be left behind.  They in turn–while being overwhelmed by those keeping up left and right–would start to become jealous and either would be ashamed of themselves, or would get back at other people for mocking their modesty.  The number of likes on your Facebook or Twitter posts do not determine your value as a person.

“(I cannot be part of a world) where men and women are no longer identifiable; and where all this together is called freedom of choice, but for those who choose a different path-get branded as retarded despots.”  This brings to mind the most recent headline-grabber:  Manny Pacquiao and his views on homosexuality.  Now, I don’t like the guy one bit.  But as far as his views on the above-mentioned are concerned, I don’t totally disagree with him either.  Well, at least with how he said what he said.  But that’s his personal belief.  If the LGBT community are crying and demanding acceptance for who and what they are, should they also accept the fact that not everyone can and will agree with them and their lifestyle?

And the line that got to me the most was, “(I cannot be part of a world) where people forgot about love, but simply looking for the best partner.”  Have we become so “practical” in nature that the one important thing in relationships is set aside just to make whatever two people have between them function?  Women nowadays (coming from me, a guy’s perspective) want a complex insurance policy of some sorts when it comes to committing to a guy that would, one:  have stunningly good looks and good genes and brains that would ensure their offspring would have the same; and two:  have a big fat checkbook, high-paying job, or a trust fund to rely on so as to live life comfortably because they feel that they’ve “earned” (or even deserve) it.  While in some degree, that scenario is nice and ideal, but the concept of settling for sureties instead of really having a real essence of a relationship based on love, trust, honesty, attention, and caring, and both parties working hard to make it successful is really troubling to me.

I don’t know; am I rambling?  Maybe.  Is there concrete validation for such?  Most likely.  Does Mr. Reeves’ words make sense?  Absolutely.  Have we as an evolved species that should look after one another more instead of mostly ourselves, gone the deep end?  Not yet; but we’re heading there.  It is good to see though that people like him would use whatever influence he has to make us–myself, at least–stop, step back for a while, evaluate ourselves to probably see where we have fallen off into and get back on track.  After all, that’s the best characteristic any human has.  We get back up, learn from our mistakes and move forward.  He may say that he “cannot be part of a world” so and so; but maybe that’s his way of saying that we can still turn things around.