Whenever I begin a new class at the local university I teach at, I always ask “What is your goal in life?” Depending on the time of year and the class size, seasonal economics affecting the overall mood (bonus time and the like), I invariably get one or two people who will respond with, “I want to be rich!” The philosopher in me springs forth and my riposte is “And How?” This is usually met with a somewhat resentful, stony silence, as if to say, “That is phase two: first I need the desire.” I then pounce with the further affirmation: Money is not free. “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work,” to quote Thomas Edison (1847-1931). I often wonder if most of us are really prepared for the absolute “grind” that the achievement of “financial success” actually takes — I think not. As with any career, a requisite amount of time must be paid into it for the occupation to be successful.
The fountain of youth
Christopher Columbus, quite remarkably, was not the first European to set foot on the mainland of the Americas. That title goes arguably to Ponce de Leon. (1) In the apocrypha associated with his voyages, he was tasked with searching for the mythical Fountain of Youth. (2) This concept was first introduced into Western thought by the historian, Herodotus, (3) though its pedigree is certainly much older:
“The Fish-eaters then, in turn, asking of the Ethiopians their length of life and diet, said that most of them attained to a hundred and twenty years, and some even to more; their food was roast meat and their drink milk. The spies showed wonder at the tale of years; whereon one led them, it is said, to a spring, whereby by washing wherein they grew sleeker, as though it were of oil; and it smelt as it were of violets. So frail, the spies said, was this water that nothing would float on it, neither wood nor anything lighter than wood, but all sank to the bottom. If this water be truly such as they say, it is likely that their constant use of it makes people long-lived.” (4)
Is the truth true?
It is common knowledge that the concept of “Doublespeak” (1) was first introduced into English by George Orwell (1903-1950) in his dystopian novel, “1984.” (2) Winston, the principal character, awakens to his predetermined life and attempts to alter its pathway. Ultimately, he fails and is forced, once again, into mental servitude — the thrust of the grim tale being that we can never truly escape “Big Brother.” (3) But, of course, the thinking man would of necessity ask, “Is that true in the liberal, democratic and capitalistic countries of the world? It is a good question with no straightforward answer.
A perspective on life
The older I grow chronologically, the more I am fundamentally perplexed. Consciousness is a lot bigger than it used to be – both figuratively and philosophically. Perspective: who I am and what is my life mission, has always been dominant in my life, in spite of my confusion, however. I believe that whether a person is 16 or 60, this has a relevance to one’s day-to-day reality and how the world is seen. A small example: When you are with a group of young people, it is very easy to adopt their level of stress, especially with the 3rd graders – the senior high school students. Every generation has key junctures that potentially change the direction of where you are going and what you believe will be your eventual place in the universe. I try to caution that, though an examination and its results might seem like “the end of the world,” it isn’t. Life will go on unless you are expunged from this corporeality. What makes time remarkable is that the “big test” may simply be a weigh station, deciding your “load capacity,” so to speak, as you proceed on a totally different journey.
The unmoved mover
Since I was a little boy, I always have embraced change. Perhaps embrace is the incorrect word. If I were truthful, I would say fear. I deeply fear change, but, in each occurrence, I am motivated by the opportunity to overcome my apprehension. We all know I believe, that change produces a result – not necessarily positive or tragically negative, it simply moves us further down the path of time. We all identify the motivators: the relocation of home, the collapse of a relationship or the commencement of the school year, to name but a few.