The Wave - By Vian Valerian

Written By: Vian Valerian

Category: Essay

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the reflective essay "The Wave," Vian Valerian offers a profound exploration of life's uncertainties and the quest for purpose. Contributing to the esteemed Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Valerian delves into the randomness of the universe, drawing inspiration from personal observations and media influences. This essay encapsulates the struggle for meaning in a seemingly chaotic world, inviting readers to introspect on their own journey.

About the Work

"The Wave" navigates the intricate theme of seeking purpose amid life's unpredictability. With a contemplative tone, Vian Valerian examines how personal experiences shape our understanding of existence. The essay weaves together philosophical musings and vivid imagery, urging readers to embrace life's randomness while striving for self-discovery and acceptance.

The Wave

Original Submission by Vian Valerian

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The Wave.

Nothing is set against you—it’s just how it feels now; it’s part of the everyday narrative!

The universe is random – a phrase I picked up from my current favorite Tv show; The Rookie.

I think it quickly made sense to me because I do believe it to be true. There’s a lot that goes unanswered at the end of the day – the cries, the blames, the successes, the joys, the falls, the get-away-with-it, the fair and unfairness of everything; it’s all just a massive bowl of things we would love to one day get a clue of.

Maybe that day will never come, or maybe it will… but today is not that day. Today, I’m just reminded that we exist in these things that none of us know anything about; each pulling from their own perspective, hoping the other one gets it some day why it all went down the way it did.

We all secretly love having a purpose; I mean if I had to guess, it’s the number one request in God’s everyday mail from Earth. It’s the one thing we believe will answer all our problems’ questions; yet it’s made too invincible for us to clearly see even on our best days.

So, what’s our purpose? What’s yours? Mine is now to accept and take it as it comes while centered on the positive of it all.

Because at the end of the day, it all goes down to you. What, who, where, why, how – it’s all about you and you alone. Everybody else is just a support system to maybe help you see things more clearly whenever you forget your place on the planet. A constant reminder that God came up with to keep in touch as he deals with the rest of his creations wherever they may be.

The saddest thing is that, these reminders sometimes come in ways we are not ready to accept. Be it a shoulder to cry or a betrayal from a love and trusted one – it’s all part of the system in place to help you navigate life. Trust me, I don’t think a sinner wanted to sin; just like you, that too is how they’re reminded of what is and not.

The important part about all of this is how you take that first step forward after all of it. Will you accept what has already been set in the past and try moving on a better path or will you play hard to get and keep at it?

Keeping in mind this is what we’ve all been telling one another since the dawn of our existence. It changes over time, it keeps getting lost in translation, either getting worse or better, and it keeps favoring the one telling rather than the one listening. Because all a listener can do… is listen—that is until they suddenly find themselves in a new position; a teller!

So, are we all fortunate enough to one day become the tellers? Or are we doomed to only tell that which we only hear amongst ourselves – leaving the history shaping kind, prisoner to a fortunate few who somehow now believe they’re in charge! Masking it all with how careful they deliver their stories next.

Let’s face it, the office will always pass down to a carefully curated soul that will uphold what the office has become. You may be lucky to come in prepared—but my say will be, the office will break you up in small tiny pieces that no one will ever know which one to pick first. And you become that which we most fear… a lost cause!

Back to square one – What is my purpose here?!

But I’m not here for all of that. It’s not that I can’t, but I won’t. It’s not worth it if it’s just going to eat away at me in this current disconnected era—one that is no longer about the well-being of what matters and more about what earns us more years of storytelling privilege.

I’m only now young to be all over the place about what I was meant to do on this planet. But again, were we all sent here to do something? Over a billion of souls wondering about right now, and we all have to do something before we leave?

Well, that wasn’t a very smart strategy if you ask me. Yes, numbers matter… they decide and all. But what good are the numbers if they’re all just contradicting one another; each dedicated to a different cause and ultimately all wanting to have left some sort of a mark as we leave.

Couldn’t it be much easier to leave one big mark together rather than co-parenting life?! But again, that is who we are these days, right?! Co-parents.

So, of course the universe is bound to be random. All of these traits, faith, wants, drives, cravings, goals, wills, wits, crafts, power, currency, narratives, arguments, loss, rules, borders, words, innovations, progress, addiction, nightmares, murders, feelings, emotions, energies… it’s a lot of fuel for it to make sense. Instead, it doesn’t!

We’re the ones affecting the tides here. We’re the ones who have got a say when it comes to what is around us. And because clear is not what would be used to define us; both inside and outside… clear it will not be—even to things way above our pay grade.

So, what are we going to do about it? what am I going to do?!

Obviously, I can’t instantly change what has been for over a century the way of things. But I can maybe try change my way of things.

And it’s not that it all doesn’t make sense, some of it does. It’s just how we sometimes even bend the little things that do to bid us in and out of places. You wake up caring about everyone in the neighborhood—suddenly at a gun-point; it’s you that comes out alive. And after a lot of therapy and sleepless nights; maybe you find your way back to who you used to be—not the exact same, but at least it’s behind you. Or is it?!

I think now I can clearly see that—yes, holding years-worth of grudges may kill your spirit. I mean, at least that’s what I choose to learn from Eternals—an MCU film that portrayed a character who lost her mind due to long-overwhelming-hidden-memories trying to break free. I guess in other ways I’m saying—yes, the past sometimes does tend to come back and take a bite right out of that flat or curvy back of yours if not well dealt with.

The best you can do is forgive yourself, because honestly it all goes back to you. The betrayal carried against one-self to obliterate someone’s something in their existence period on Earth.

So, what I’m going to do is try and forgive myself for all the crap I did and the number of times someone else lost a portion of themselves just for me to come out of it satisfied.

I know they say make an apology tour if you can to get things right between one another if you can; but what if they’re not ready to hear it—or worse; what if I’m not ready to face them yet?! I guess the answer would be something coward!

And maybe I am… but I’m only human and can only control that which I can. Because what if bringing it up destroys what has already been built since?! Does that mean all that is built has lies, resentment, pain, and ignorance for foundation?!

I guess it will all be clear one day. But until that day comes… I’ll try my best not to give anyone else a night-shift to constantly guard their nightmares!

We all claim we want to be good and do good—but do we know the price to it?! Are we ready to pay?! Are we ready to take heartaches as our new best friend?!

Lastly… I think it’s now true that you can’t please everyone because that’s where we’ve driven ourselves toward. Because if we were one—who wouldn’t be pleased?

So, now that you know the universe is random; what should I expect from you? Are you going to play to your strengths now against all odds; try to make that random-wave dance in your favor—or will you keep letting it break you; hoping that it’ll one day make sense, and you’ll then square all your shit out.

But what if you don’t have that long in line?!

The Wave by Vian Valerian.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating literary creativity across the globe. It encourages writers to share their unique voices and perspectives, fostering a community of thoughtful expression. Participants contribute to a diverse collection of works, reflecting the rich tapestry of human experience.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Vian Valerian for sharing "The Wave" with us. Your insightful exploration of life's complexities adds depth to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. We look forward to seeing how your reflections continue to inspire and resonate with readers worldwide.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.