Rest: it is a concept I am sure that, as a society, few of us reflect on. (1) We are all so busy leading – for the most part – pointless, directionless lives. I say this because the consumption of drugs and the most pernicious drug of all – alcohol – is at an all-time high. (2) Surely, these are not the actions of a contented, mission-driven population. So, how am I going to find my way? I suppose the simple reply is that all answers lie within. This we hear ad nauseam, I would summit, in philosophy and the social sciences. But what does this concept actually mean? Succinctly put: it denotes that you are the controller and arbiter of your life. Few, of course, accept its obligatory measures. Action and an element of risk are necessary if the summit, the meaning of life, is to be viewed. We must pass through the initial mist and haze of adolescence to the sunlit pathway of adulthood: however, only through contemplation can the correct route be discovered.
It is easy to blame outside circumstances for our poorly lived lives, for our failure to grow. We can access a list of excuses that is quite extensive – we can blame our race, our poverty (or wealth), our sexuality and our disentitlement, to name but a few. This is, unfortunately, overly naive. At some point, “at some point,” you have “to sit back” and have a talk with yourself and evaluate your options. This is where rest is essential. A state of repose allows a moment to think and reflect. Yes, it is true that our choices are limited by our givens, (3) but that is the same for everyone. Even more perversely, we have many examples in history of individuals that had limited options in life – only to rise to ultimate fame and wealth and subsequently, throw it all away – Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) comes to mind. Where was contemplation in all of this?
The secret if this reflective time is to produce positive results is to accept that life is fickle and death inevitable. In between real consciousness at 20 and death at 80, your mission is to discover your gifts and reward society with their unveiling. For we tend to obscure the fact that each life is unique and precious – much like an ocean is not simply a body of water, it is filled with individual droplets. A civilization that is denied your “unfolding,” your intellectual and spiritual maturation, is much poorer because of it. In a contemporary setting, are we to believe that the onslaught of social media is truly benefiting and elevating human beings? I am not so sure. Why are we being asked to believe that everything we hear that is promoted as truth is truly true? This is far beyond “fake news.” This speaks to our core values as human beings: what the gift of life actually means!
The only way that we will get past the current social malaise is through critical thinking and the realization that time – my time – is important, not only to me but , additionally, to the human corpus. It is only through rest and rumination that we will “find our way,” and, ultimately, I am sure we will. The great intellectual, scholar and writer, JRR Tolkien (4) leaves us with a thought:
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
A closing thought: When we embark of a grand stroll in the mountains or beside a lake or most extensive body of water, we can feel ourselves “calm down.” This is a universal feeling. There is thus a link between Mother Earth — Gaia — and human beings. If we truly want to rest, we must feel nature’s “breath on our cheek’ and feel her soil beneath our feet. Many suggest that we should take our shoes off to feel her closeness.
To sum up: This week, we spoke about rest, how it is to be achieved and what it means to each of us.
To be noted: From Soren Kierkegaard (5) — Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.
Just for fun: Doobie Brothers – Listen To The Music
For reflection: Identity Politics & The Madness of Crowds
This week on your spritely walk, please ponder how nature takes you in her arms and allows you to rest.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful
Quote: Rest is not idleness: all time must be spent well.
Footnotes:
1) Rest Is Not Idleness: Reflection Is Critical for Development and Well-Being
2) American Drug Use Is on the Rise