Now and forever: I saw this sign on a building recently. It got me to thinking: this is a concept that imbues our society, certainly from an educational perspective. I get a degree or degrees and this allows me some level of entitlement for the rest of my life. My diplomas segue into an excellent job and a wonderful existence. But, unfortunately, this is not reality.
Forgive yourself
We have all done things in life that we consider egregious, events that we would rather forget. However, you can’t. Your obligation, as a human being, is to make amends: go to the aggrieved party and give your apology, and give it sincerely. Now, many times, most times, in fact, your efforts will be rebuffed. The majority of people do not accept contrition easily. You are thus left with double the grief. The first being the realization that you have erred and the second torment is to have your pleas rebuffed. Your pain has no bounds.
To be at peace
The story of the titanic (1) is an evocative one. The passengers knew in a short period of time that the ship was going to sink and most were facing imminent death. Statistically, your chances of survival were slim. And yet, the vast majority of people conducted themselves in a respectful and polite manner. (2) Why, when the inevitable was at hand? This disaster could be used as a metaphor in our modern society – either for the inevitable environmental collapse or with our earthly extraction.
Will an education make me just?
You would think that an education would give a person some moral parameters, wouldn’t you? The more educated you become, the more sensitive you are to the needs of humanity — the concerns of the Common Good – that sort of idea. This is a truly naïve premise, however — being more educated, many times, makes you more deceitful and ruthless.
Life is absurd!
Everyone at one time or another in life reflects on the meaning of life. Why am I here and how did I get here? One of the more controversial replies to this question is given by the eminent intellectual, Albert Camus (1913-1960). He is known for his philosophy known as Absurdism. (1) This is the belief that there is absolutely no “why” to life. It is all without meaning or purpose – but go on living, why not? On the face of it, one would have to agree.
Color your world
Recently, I was just mesmerized by the color around me. I think it had to do with my new shoes. They are a deep chestnut brown that speaks of tradition and age – some would say just like my personality. Color certainly impacts all of us. Any visit to an art museum or private gallery pulls you away into an unfamiliar world – so attractive and yet so elusive. Sight has to be one of the most important senses of all for it produces images that color our world: both figuratively and literally. I am stuck on a question, however, as I walk amongst crowds of people. Are we embarking on a new shade of existence — the hue of colorlessness? There seems to be a certain monotonousness or dullness that is descending upon our world. The cell phone, and its conformity of usage, is certainly leading the charge.
Chaos: is this my life?
Have you ever had this kind of startling experience? You awaken from a dream and for a moment — just for a moment — you are totally lost and disoriented. I recently experienced such a phenomenon. I first felt as if I was not the person that I knew. But then, I quickly returned to myself and my familiar surroundings and sensations – these included the comfort of my bed. My momentary sense of visceral panic was replaced with a serene understanding that all was well in my universe. I would continue to exist for yet another day. This concept of psychological chaos is omnipresent in everyone’s life, I believe, and can be easily replicated once we leave the protection of our home. A walk in any shopping center or congested venue can quickly evoke a feeling of being overwhelmed.
Fear: what are you afraid of?
Fear is an interesting phenomenon. The most extreme is the Chicken Little sort wherein the person is virtually afraid of his own shadow.
Style: where has it gone?
Whatever happened to style? Now, this does not have to suggest elegant clothes nor a magnificent car. It is about your personal brand – your personal élan. Why do people seem to have so little of it – why has society become so bland? I relate it to an overabundance of information. In contemporary society, it is hard to choose “a look” or a position — especially when you are young. This is because we are drowning in a myriad of looks, tastes, and fashions. The “non-look” has thus become the new reality.
What is the purpose to it all?
Speed: as I was flying down the street the other day – obviously not fast enough for I was passed by many, many cars – it came to me, as I am sure it comes to all of us. What is the purpose of this speed, this madcap, instant society? How is this bringing me closer to anything – God, the universe, my fellow man, etc? It isn’t, is it? It is just passing the time — my time – and filling me with nonsense.