Open Writing

Recent events have thrust paranoia to the forefront of the news. The correct term is paranoid schizophrenia, a condition in which the unfortunate sufferer has delusions that attribute hostile intentions towards him and his safety, characterised by unfounded but excessive distrust. These pitiable people are potentially the most dangerous of people, because they are often ordered by hallucinations to take steps to quell the threats that harry their peace, even to the extent of killing the innocent who are become part of their delusional system.

It is one of the most difficult psychiatric illnesses to treat. A cure remains elusive and the level of care and support required to ease the condition is intensive and costly. Hence many paranoiacs are untreated, living subject to their terrors, the attempted abatement of which renders them dangerous to others as well as to themselves.

What the world needs is a disease fully as consuming of the mind as is paranoia, but which convinces the sufferer that everyone loves them deeply, however deceived they might be. For this condition I have coined the term ‘Amaroia.’ Those suffering form this condition believe that everyone seeks the best for them, is anxious for their welfare, and to safeguard their prosperity.

The concomitants of this derangement are all positive, because people who feel loved, love in return, and when the whole world is apprehended as loving the victim, then the whole world becomes the recipient of equivalent affection.

Patients seeking medical and psychological assistance for the disease will receive the standard prescription of a warm hug from the professional staff, a rousing chorus of "For he’s a jolly good fellow," a bouquet of roses, and a hearty slap on the back on the way out. My research suggests that there are no negative side effects from the treatment.

Those profoundly stricken with the terminally constant variety of Amaroia die in the thrall of ecstasy – eventually. No one is in a hurry to leave behind so many loved ones, and no one is in a hurry to see such a cherished one take off before they must.

It will be easy to infect enough people to ensure that Amaroia becomes pandemic, as cross infection guarantees that its spread from person to person, from country to country, from continent to continent, and from pole to pole, until every human heart is Amaroiac, and then we will get along with each other wonderfully without pleonastic suspicions of strangers.

"Man is that he might have joy," said one who was optimistic about the purpose and outcome of human life. Amaroiacs guarantee that the realisation of his lofty assurance is attainable by all.

Our motto is: "Amaroiacs of the world, unite! We have nothing to lost but our misery!" and our anthem is "Today I Love Everybody, and Everybody Loves Me!" We are recruiting right now, and have vacancies in all departments.

There are assignments in workplaces, educational establishments, chapels, synagogues, and mosques. You can opt to spread the malady in shopping centres, public parks, and sports arenas, or wherever family, friends, and strangers are found. The results will be startling. Men and women used to being badly treated will bear impositions so cheerfully that their abusers will shrink in horror from the insight that being loved fosters.

The countenances of sweatshop operatives will change from vacant masks into happy faces, and taskmasters will briefly feel the weight of shame as they are converted by the love of their slaves, and become fully human thereby.

Grim visaged workers denied the sun, who enter factories before dawn and leave after dusk, will live in the light of universal love spread by highly contagious Amaroiacs. Despair will flee their souls as they are re-illumined with passions they knew in childhood that were lost with the passing of innocence.

Neglected infants will be gathered to the bosoms of parents once cold and aloof, and be nourished by things of more importance than meat and milk - the bread of love, and the milk of human kindness.

Gentle puppies and kittens, old dogs and timeless cats whose masters discipline with boot shod feet and leave them hungry, will know the miracle that is Amaroia and have unaccustomed caresses, kind words, regular food, and pleasant walks from their medically modified and smiling owners.

Cruelty, mean-spiritedness, indifference to the sufferings of others whether man or beast, will become things of the past as an unstoppable wave of love spreads throughout the world leaving none outside its transforming influence. Bigots will come to their senses and recognise their hatred and intemperate zeal as contradictory to the ethos and moral teachings of their faith.

Love will replace the dark and selfish cravings that reside in the hearts of humanity, and little children once afraid of their father’s tread on the street outside the door will rush to meet the benevolent parent and share his kisses and gifts.

Fractured families will be made whole, and friendships torn by mistrust and betrayal will blossom anew and continue as if nothing had disturbed their peaceful course. Trust, like wildfire, will spread unhindered in the wake of an explosion of tenderness until every heart is infected with the virus amaroia cardiocephali against which there is neither immunity nor remedy.

Spreading the complaint is exciting and rewarding work that delivers a conviction of a job well done, unmitigated peer approval, and a guaranteed job for life. No experience is necessary, training is provided on the job, and the blessings are immeasurable, both in respect of what you get and what you give. When can you start?

Copyright © 2007 – Ronnie Bray

Other Stories by Ronnie Bray:
http://www.2theheart.com/author_ronnie_bray
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/voices/011024summer.html