With our world, seemingly, in a state of chaos, according to the mass media, the questions must be posed: “How does our civilization return to a state of rationality and how do I find my personal state of peace?” Most recently, one of my students was involved in the protests against the recent government initiative to change the “thrust” of high school textbooks. (1) He is an extremely nice and thoughtful young man. I would not stylize him as seditious, but he felt that something untoward was afoot and wanted to do something about it. Due to the fact that I am a guest of Taiwan and not a citizen, I find myself in the apolitical camp. That being said, these are some of the thoughts that we discussed.
Firstly, the reality of Taiwan is that it has become an extremely peaceful and dynamic society, economically speaking. That has co-opted most people into the belief that change does not exist because, much like existence, it is incremental. We do not lose our freedom suddenly nor will I become old and die tomorrow morning: everything exists in some nebulous future. Secondly, most people don’t care, really, about anything. Yes, they may care about the things that directly affect them: their accommodation, their food, their clothing, etc. and the attendant costs associated with these and like items, but really care about the state of the planet or our political franchise? No, I am afraid not. Thirdly, the great majority of people will not act, period, no matter what conditions become. (2) The students in Taiwan did not, en masse, go on strike and refuse to attend school until the textbooks were withdrawn. This is not unique to Taiwan: moral cowardice and fear imbues all populations. Finally, the real rebel, the committed revolutionary, must be willing to give up everything, and this includes all forms of legitimacy and comfort for his cause. Numerous luminaries forsook all to advance their mission: Tolstoy (1828-1910), to promote a new interpretation of Christianity and non-violence (Tolstoy: My Religion, 1884) was (and still is) excommunicated from the Russian Orthodox Church, Marx (1818-1883) died in poverty, Gandhi (1869-1948) was murdered just as his dream was being actualized and Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) devoted his life to the liberation of China. These are but a tiny few who eschewed everything for what they felt was a correct way to solve social injustice. Few would ask an aggrieved schoolboy to commit to such.
“Then what can I legitimately do as a solitary individual?” becomes the question. The answer lies with the individual, the independent and free person: you are a “sui juris” entity. (3) You must ask the question, “What do I want out of my life?” “I don’t know!” is a very typical response. Spend some time and find out: as cruel as its sounds, if you don’t find your path, someone else will (alieni juris). Don’t be a wage slave! When you change yourself, you change the world. This means that the more I take control of my life, my education, my future plans, the more I influence the community around me. Several snippets of advice flow from the “self-help” gurus. (5) Do you wake up every day with a purpose? Do you have mechanisms to overcome sadness and the terror at just being alive? Am I excited to be me? What are my afformations? (4) Is my name registered as a “.com” company, for example leonlacouvee.com. Go to godaddy.com or any such sites and check if your name is available. The aforementioned questions should all answer “yes.” Most importantly remember the mantras: “Who is my teacher? I am! Who is the most beautiful person that I know? I am – not my physical body, but my spirit inside.” The gifted and sensitive human being Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross (1926-2004) leaves us with a thought:The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.
A small joke: A criminal tried to bribe an official. “Do this favor for me and I will give you this beautiful watch.” “What are you saying? That is bribery,” replied the man. “Then I will sell it to you for $20.00,” was the gangster’s riposte. “That’s different!” was the bureaucrat’s comment, “I will take two.”
This week, you are invited to reflect on the beauty that is inside you.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: Listen to as much counsel as you can and then decide what is good for you. Do not act on anything without forethought, if possible.
Footnotes:
1) Twilight of China-centric primacy
3) Sui iuris
5) Self-help