I often talk about the Common Good and its significance. To me its portal is opened by any small act of kindness: if you hold a door for someone, allow another person to pay in front of you or just say hello to an elderly individual as you walk down a busy street, these are acts that contribute to the well being of society. All efforts are necessary, but are they enough? The answer is a resounding no: in the big scope of reality, they are inconsequential, but they are, obviously, a beginning. What major contribution to this phenomenon can a human being do to make a difference and change the world? I believe that the greatest thing you can do is to discover the mission that lies within you. Not some contrived familial or societal assignment, but what you are intrinsically obliged to do with your life – your personal adventure. This can be done at any age from seventeen to seventy. This appears to be a simplistic platitude. Everyone wants a life to be fun and filled with great escapades.
Miracles: do you believe in them?
We are suffering beings for the most part, aren’t we? At grade school and then at gymnasium, we imagine that we are caught in some hellish reality from which there is little perceptual escape: the pre-ordained plan must be pursued – study and tests. An education filled with endless pressure and psychological indignities is followed by even more stress at university. Nonetheless, all of my suffering will be mitigated by my disembarkation at “the port of life”: also known as (AKA) graduation — nirvana awaits. “The current generation now sees everything clearly, it marvels at the errors, it laughs at the folly of its ancestors, not seeing that this chronicle is all overscored by divine fire, that every letter of it cries out, that from everywhere the piercing finger is pointed at it, at this current generation; but the current generation laughs and presumptuously, proudly begins a series of new errors, at which their descendants will also laugh afterwards.” (1)
The pain of learning to understand
I think one of the great gifts of failure and stress is that, if the despair comes on quickly, it reminds you just how far you can fall spiritually, and how deep the psychological pit really is: it is black, far and fraught with fear and danger.
All understanding is only through love
The other day, I passed a truly good-looking woman who was exquisitely dressed, like Cinderella on her way to the ball. Her compatriot, perhaps her boyfriend, but more realistically her husband, was in a disheveled state and poorly dressed – to say the least. They were a couple, but with two obviously different views of the world. I would not claim to be an informal man, though I do have periods of informality; I do know how to dress correctly for the given occasion, however. That being said, my query is how two people could have such divergent views of the world? Is this not the most difficult thing in a relationship – any relationship – for that matter? Here you have two diametrically opposed images of life and of the planet. One has placed great value and importance on some celebration, and is dressing accordingly, while the other is dismissive and flippant: “This is who I am whether you like it or not.”
Life in all its glory
Even if you only touch on the international news, you realize that this has recently been a bad time for human existence: a bombing here, several celebrity suicides there and natural disasters seemingly everywhere. We are living in a culture of death and destruction. The end is nigh! I should be afraid to exit my door in the morning. But, should I: does the reality shown through the Internet (and other forms of electronic media) really exist? I suspect not.
Determination: your path is your own
I am always curious about our time in history. Many pundits say that it presents us with a chance to achieve anything that we want. Then, what allows one individual to succeed while the other one fails? It appears that pre-established attributes such as intelligence are not as important as ambition: “I will be successful, whatever the journey.” As an example: I was recently contacted by a young woman who has just graduated from a prestigious university with a Master’s Degree in Economics. More to the point: she was first, (did I say first?) in her class. She was extremely upset, however. I therefore asked, “What seems to be the problem?” I got back a rather shocking, but understandable answer, “I can’t get a job!” Say what? How is that possible, I thought to myself?
Happiness: let us feel the joy!
I passed some people the other day in a local park. Something was uproariously funny for they were laughing to a point of guffawing: it was truly wonderful to see. I reflected on how long it had been since I had seen such a non-rehearsed scene: a very, very long time – perhaps never. It would appear that one of our basic tenets of being human – happiness — is not present throughout much of the average person’s life, Why, I wondered? I proceeded down the path. There it was: the answer.
Celebrating graduation day
Wow, it’s over! And, now we have a new beginning. You have closed a door and it is important that you hear it slam! This is because it is really closed. The high school days are finished. And you are, sadly or excitedly, going to enter into a new phase of life. There can be no return to the past. The first thing you must do is ask yourself the question:“Who woke up this morning: who woke up?” The answer is, of course, “I did.” And how did I know it was me? I knew it was me because of yesterday — my memories. This makes me a unique being: there is no one like me; no one will ever be like me and no one ever has been like me. So now my job in next four years, and in life really, is to truly develop the beautiful me. Some complications: a lot of people don’t know what they want to do, right? Period! “I don’t know where I’m going. I don’t know what’s going on.” And that’s a good thing: and, of course, a bad thing. In the next several years, you will have “to choose” something to do, for sure. Now, conversely: people sometimes pick the wrong thing.
Remembering good counsel
You know yourself: you are busy – I am busy. All of us are caught up in the detritus of life. The questions become, “What is really important, what really has value and why do I worry all the time?” As I get older and older, I begin to understand the tragedy that so many philosophers and poets write about life. I, however, am an observer because, quite frankly, I don’t feel their pain. I can only feel my own pain and I make a habit of limiting it. There is, I believe, no epiphany in suffering – suffering will take us nowhere. It is only in communion with the peaceful and wonderful infinity, my expression of God, will I find my meaning. What about you: are you suffering more esoteric pain than necessary?
Existence is ephemeral: enjoy it!
Everyone becomes aware at some point in life that existence is truly ephemeral. It is, of course, one thing to say it and quite another to feel it in the “marrow of your bones,” to be somewhat theatrical. A secondary epiphany is that life is not at all as it seems: our vision is opaque.
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul. … (1)
That phrase being aptly stated frees us from being deluded by the false hopes and quixotic dreams of others. We are liberated and can utilize our own critical thinking skills to decide what is the best course of action for my specific life. I truly think that very few of us choose a direct path. Most would appear to steer as opposed to direct.
Winston Churchill, who many believe saved Western civilization from tyranny and oppression, or at least temporarily postponed it, (2) had this to say when he was appointed Prime Minister in May, 1940: Thus, then, on the night of the 10th of May, at the outset of this mighty battle, I acquired the chief power in the State. … During these last crowded days of the political crisis, my pulse had not quickened at any moment. I took it all as it came. But I cannot conceal from the reader of this truthful account that as I went to bed at about 3 a.m., I was conscious of a profound sense of relief. At last I had the authority to give directions over the whole scene. I felt as if I were walking with destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and for this trial. Ten years in the political wilderness had freed me from ordinary party antagonisms. My warnings over the last six years had been so numerous, so detailed, and were now so terribly vindicated, that no one could gainsay (doubt) me. I could not be reproached either for making the war or with want (lack) of preparation for it. I thought I knew a good deal about it all, and I was sure I should not fail. Therefore, although impatient for the morning, I slept soundly and had no need for cheering dreams. Facts are better than dreams. (3)
It is thus true that even the iconic figures of history are filled with self-doubt and apprehension. The secret to a successful life, I maintain, is to simply put your leaf in the river. Once the journey begins, you can manage its consequences. Here these aforementioned critical thinking skills will serve you well. Our mission, if I can call it that, is to simply ask people to think. I believe if we raise our societal level of thoughtfulness that the world will become a better place. This is not wishful thinking but a common theme amongst the legions of educators that see a general decline in thinking. (4) One only has to turn to recent political, economic, and immigration decisions to realize that we are not reasoning rationally in many cases. The writer and pundit Malcolm Gladwell (b. 1963) leaves with a cautionary quote: There is this tremendous body of knowledge in the world of academia where extraordinary numbers of incredibly thoughtful people have taken the time to examine on a really profound level the way we live our lives and who we are and where we’ve been. That brilliant learning sometimes gets trapped in academia and never sees the light of day.
A closing thought: As human beings, we have come “full circle.” Our most primitive instincts: those of procreation, food and consumption have come, once again, to dominate civilization. The results, inevitably, will be the same: societal chaos, spiritual decline, and economic collapse. The only way we will change this trajectory is through “good people” evaluating and judging. Our role as parents, guides and educators has never been so essential.
To sum up: This week we spoke about life and all its consequences. History tells us that often even great individuals lack a sense of direction until they realize that they have been chosen for a specific task.
A philosophical question: Why am I allowed certain actions at six, but not at sixty, when my body houses the same soul from the beginning to end?
Just for fun — Frédéric Chopin – The Best Nocturnes in 432 Hz tuning
This week on your sprightly walk, please ponder the magic of life
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: The next time you look in a mirror, stand in awe at God’s creation: unique and exceptional, and with a life-mission to complete.
Footnotes:
2) Michel Houellebecq: ‘Am I Islamophobic? Probably, yes’
3) Winston Churchill: The Gathering Storm (ISBN: 978-0395410554)