YOLO

 There are various expressions that are used to summarize an ideal or a precept and that act as motivational elements . The acronym YOLO, which comes from the phrase "You Only Live Once", is one of them.

This expression, which in our language can be translated as "You Only Live Once", is linked to the need to take advantage of opportunities to enjoy existence, since each human being has a unique life to live. It is important to note that the idea contained in the concept of YOLO has several centuries of history: there are similar expressions that were disclosed by Johann Strauss and Wolfgang von Goethe , for example.

The Canadian rapper Drake and the American bands The Strokes and Suicide Silence are some of the artists who have used the expression YOLO in songs and, in this way, contributed to its spread. YOLO is also mentioned very frequently on social networks, often accompanied by a photograph or video where the user wants to show that they enjoy life as much as they can.

It is necessary to emphasize that several psychologists, sociologists and philosophers have warned the population about the risks that the notion of YOLO carries . Under the justification that "you only live once" , many young people carry out reckless and reckless actions that put their lives at risk. That is why intellectuals draw a difference between taking a risk after having reflected on the possible consequences of the action and performing an irrational act for fun or even with the sole objective of exhibiting it on social networks.

The level of irresponsibility that certain people display when they propose to leave problems behind and enjoy life to the fullest is very worrying, not only because they put their own physical integrity at risk but because they generally lead others to sink with they. Lack of self-confidence is perhaps the most dangerous weapon we can use against ourselves, and it comes into play, for example, when we do what our friends ask of us simply so as not to appear weird or boring .

Under the YOLO motto, many adolescents begin to smoke tobacco or marijuana, to drink excess alcohol, to have sexual relations without any kind of precaution and to drive before having the legal permission or to do so irresponsibly, at high speeds in illegal competitions that usually end in unfortunate accidents .

From the point of view of some adults, these attitudes can be reduced to simple nonsense typical of a stage in which human beings are expected to challenge authority to understand what the limits are ; however, the background is very different. If we take this reasoning into account, then we should also accept as valid the accusations received by those who do not dare to embark on the activities described in the previous paragraph: that they are cowards, bored, that they do not know how to enjoy life, and so on. And, needless to say, this is not correct either.

Having said all this, we must understand that YOLO does not mean "risk our life absurdly", but "learn to live it fully." Not everyone needs to jump off the top of a mountain to experience intense feelings : some people achieve this by reading their favorite book, by playing a piano piece that has taken them several years to study, or by seeing a smile on one's face. of his students.

We only live once, and that is why we must do what we can to make a difference, to fight against injustice and to make every day worthwhile; chasing after extreme situations in which we can die every second would make more sense if the acronym meant "we live many times."