We enjoy a holiday, especially one that is predicated on some spiritual or philosophical meaning. It affords us the time — superficially, at least — to pause and reflect. Serious reflection, however, is increasingly less accessible.
As human beings, we exist in time. Existence is a continuum. It endures for me as long as I have physical life. Consciousness itself is endless and does not cease because of an event that occurs in my life, however meaningful or traumatic. This is especially true of events that have dire consequences. I cannot revisit the past; it is over. There can be no regrets — only lessons.
As a parent, there is a tragic story that comes to mind. We always want the very best for our children and want to reward them for their success. In Florida, several years ago, a young man received an expensive sports car as a graduation gift. Young men, as a rule, are filled with machismo and bravado. They are just discovering life and, without parental guidance, are quick to arrogance and naivety — the non-comprehension of death.
This boy took the power of his automobile and pushed it to its extremes. He and a friend began to drag race on one of the endless Florida streets. He missed the stoplight — ran a red light — and consequently struck a mother and child, killing them both. The result: he was sentenced to 24 years in prison. (1) His buddy got just six years because he had made a deal with the prosecutor. (2) Should this young adult regret his actions, or learn from them? He has attempted several appeals, but they have been rejected. What will determine the outcome of his life will be his psychological response to this event.
As a society, we have an overarching desire to delve into the past. We turn and twist events, extracting every bit of comprehension from our actions. Many human beings are fragile, unfortunately, and cannot withstand the punishing analysis that is called for in these kinds of circumstances. Victimhood is thus germinated.
Are the broken and disused human beings in the West — the homeless or the so-called “unhoused” — byproducts of failure by never escaping their past? (3) Always wishing for reprieve, but, of course, it never comes? The only person who can alleviate my level of guilt and surrender is me. The realization is that my mental architecture potentially allows me to escape any event in my life — no matter how enormous — and to begin again, or not.
Dr. Jung often spoke of trauma. (4) He believed that we could not walk away from pain; we must integrate it into our being. The process of Individuation demands this. Henri Charrière — “Papillon” — was a petty criminal in the 1930s. He was sentenced to life for murder on Devil’s Island in French Guiana. (5) He subsequently escaped. His book, though potentially apocryphal, notes the trials and tribulations so associated with a life attempting to overcome a sealed fate.
The story of the Florida young man and that of Papillon, though at opposite moral poles, underpin a much larger truth: I am responsible for my mental state and can, through introspection or therapy, emerge from any life-altering experience to pursue a fulfilling and edifying life. One of the major hurdles to be overcome in this journey is acknowledging the Self (6) — and the belief that I can be in control of my life, given its givens. This authority, however, can only be built through engagement. Much like any great artist, I must practice accessing and reflecting upon my life and my plans for its path on a daily basis. Baltasar Gracian (7) leaves us with a thought: Self-reflection is the school of wisdom.
A closing thought: I recently read that this is the first generation in human history that is less intelligent than its parents. (8) This is directly attributed to social media and the Internet. Post-millennials are, in effect, being dumbed down. Throughout human history, most people have not gotten beyond the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, and entertainment. The difference today is that we are told that everyone has the birthright of thought. Everyone, quite naturally, can think. Thinking, unfortunately, is not innate; it is a skill. To become reflective and thoughtful, I must commit to self-improvement. I must learn to think — and to reflect. Thereby allowing my life to enter the arena of magnificence that it deserves.
To sum up: This week, we spoke about personal reflection.
To be noted: From Margaret J. Wheatley — Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.
Just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdYWuo9OFAw&list=RDNdYWuo9OFAw&start_radio=1
For reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTXtJxoDJA
This week, on your joy-filled walk, please ponder what reflection means you.
Every day, look for something magical and beautiful.
Don’t be a wage slave – critical thinking is great!
Quote: Introspection will make you free.
Footnotes:
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV_MxWAAQfs
2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plea_bargaining_in_the_United_States
3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMjTKbUTaMs
4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii2Vli_sFCU
5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papillon_(1973_film)
6) https://jungutah.org/blog/intro-to-jung-what-is-the-self/
7) https://www.britannica.com/biography/Baltasar-Gracian
8) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-15520263/Gen-Z-intelligent-neuroscientist.html