Mr A, well said. In the following response, I hope to venture into new territory by providing a few thoughts that came to me in reading the March 26th post.
Thought # 1Mr. A states:
Doesn’t this speak more to creating a better life for ourselves than keeping us from contributing or making progress? Living by or creating an example of how to live life to the fullest and not become the habit. But could it be that these habits create parts of our journey that are a solid foundation and a security that allow us to travel or wander off. Habits provide us with a place to come back to when we are down with that adventure and allow us to reflect. I do agree that habits have the tendency to make us become complacent in life and meld into the background scenery.
I honestly believe that the concept of Good. That is, Good itself. Full disclosure, this is a weak rendition of the Platonic forms ( I am sorry to constantly quote others in this blog, its makes me look pretentious, but I do not want to take credit where it’s not due). To have a better life one must do what is good for themselves. What is good for oneself, if truly good, has to participate or be a part of Good itself. Therefore, when we do what is truly good for ourselves it is the best for the world. And as you say, the idea is to create good habits to help keep it going.
Thought # 2
Mr. A also states that we have a right and wrong because of past generations philosophies and beliefs. I agree with this, but I have to add a thought. It is true that right and wrong is defiantly due to past generation’s philosophies and beliefs. But one has to be carful when saying that. For to hold onto that line, is to fall directly into relativism. For example, there are cultures that that via tradition condone rape as a coming of age rite. Also, forgive the second sexual reference, let us not forget female genital mutilation in Africa used to usher girls into womanhood. I argue, a priori, such things are indefensible. But not to go too far, let me just provide a oversimplified but sufficient statement. While everything regarding right/wrong may be culturally, philosophically, and historically relative, it still has to/not to adhere or participate in Good. Here is some food for perspective. Jefferson felt that his slaves were humans and should be free, but still had them until he died. Looking at his life, many life circumstances could get him excused ( not saying he is), especially given all that he did to care for his slaves while trying to abolish slavery altogether. The point here is that it might of been ok for what he did given cultural relativism, but the bottom line is even he knew it was wrong and worked to undue it. A second example is a bit easier. I think it is wrong how we pollute the planet and use fossil fuels. Yet I still own two cars which are used often. THis does not mean I should abandon the freedom cars offer, I just buy smaller cars, think twice before I run an out to the store, and sometime ride my bike.
Thought # 3 Mr. A states:
It is the individual who decides if life is better than it was before. I would suggest in relevance’s to me that life is better than 100 years ago.
My response; of course it is. The only point I want to make here is that my level of happiness is not better than, for the most part, those before. Think of a modern rich man. If he were to loose almost everything and a have an income similar to ours, then he would be miserable- at least for a while. But we know that prior to him loosing his money, he is no happier than you or I. I would at least hope so, for my goal in life is not to make a lot of money. For sure, I know at least one way I could have doubled my income so far and totally did not go for it. Just saying.
The Good, wherefore’s journey:
My journey in life is to discover and promote good. Most of my efforts go into my family and nursing. The constant challenge is for me to stay on track and to, God willing, improve upon what I have done. I realize in the grand scheme of things, I will fail at everything, but as I have stated as being my ending epithet “He died trying”. I am not going to be the perfect father or husband, but it does not mean I am not going to die trying. Likewise I will never fully understand just what it means to promote caring in nursing, but God willing, I will die trying.
Life is about meeting and overcoming these failures. I am happy for them as I know it is these failures that give me purpose and meaning in life. Every moment gives us an opportunity to improve upon our failures, to improve upon our participation, and understanding of the Good. Every time we participate in the good or its knowledge we improve upon ourselves and the world. Every time we are not mindful of what we do, our participation in the Good, one has to wonder what happens to the world and ourselves.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Finality
So I did not have a concrete response but just some more thoughts and conclusions about this wonderful, inspiring and knowledgeable conversation that has taken place.
Let’s get away from the argument of right and wrong and living by a standard. Let’s think about the purpose of the wherefore as Mr. J has kindly explored and elaborated on. How does the wherefore shape our journey.
We all operate on a wherefore. If you ignore this but think you are doing your part for future journeys, then you risk what Dostoevsky warned us against above; become nothing but a series of habits where there will be no progress made in one’s life, nor contribution, only habits. And I quote, “It seems, in fact, as though the second half of a man’s life is made up of nothing but the habits he has accumulated during the first half.” Doesn’t this speak more to creating a better life for ourselves than keeping us from contributing or making progress? Living by or creating an example of how to live life to the fullest and not become the habit. But could it be that these habits create parts of our journey that are a solid foundation and a security that allow us to travel or wander off. Habits provide us with a place to come back to when we are down with that adventure and allow us to reflect. I do agree that habits have the tendency to make us become complacent in life and meld into the background scenery.
“Most of us think that there is right and a wrong.” I ask why we think this. I say it is because of past generations philosophies and beliefs.
“That if we adhere to this right and wrong we would have a more just world.” “If we only knew what we know now.” I think this creates a perception that is only relevant to the individual. It is the individual who decides if life is better than it was before. I would suggest in relevance’s to me that life is better than 100 years ago. But again this is a matter of opinion and the fact that I cannot be the judge for a society. This would be unfair to everyone else. But going back to the statement I made that making life simple only complicates things more fits perfectly. Look at all the advances we have made, which I feel have made my life better than 100 years ago. But on the other hand it has also complicated and distanced the human relationship. We have created more ways to connect with each other but it has taken away the personal human connection. How much more wherefore’s would there be if only people took the time to commune on a personal level. But I digress as Mr. J puts it. So I ask you to think about your own life situation. Is it better because of our predecessors or despite them? I would like to believe that the journey I take will help the future find a better life or at least give them options. Just something to think about.
Conclusion: Wherefore equals a motivator for our life journeys. So I say thanks Mr. J for enlightening me to what fuels our journey and to start looking not only at the journey itself but what that journey is leading to or is lead by. It is our journey that teaches the future generations but it is their own wherefore that motivates them to choose to start a journey in the first place. But remember that your wherefore may change frequently throughout your journey. Stay focused, creative and motivated. Make personal human connections on the way because you never know who you may influence or influence you. Live on.
Let’s get away from the argument of right and wrong and living by a standard. Let’s think about the purpose of the wherefore as Mr. J has kindly explored and elaborated on. How does the wherefore shape our journey.
We all operate on a wherefore. If you ignore this but think you are doing your part for future journeys, then you risk what Dostoevsky warned us against above; become nothing but a series of habits where there will be no progress made in one’s life, nor contribution, only habits. And I quote, “It seems, in fact, as though the second half of a man’s life is made up of nothing but the habits he has accumulated during the first half.” Doesn’t this speak more to creating a better life for ourselves than keeping us from contributing or making progress? Living by or creating an example of how to live life to the fullest and not become the habit. But could it be that these habits create parts of our journey that are a solid foundation and a security that allow us to travel or wander off. Habits provide us with a place to come back to when we are down with that adventure and allow us to reflect. I do agree that habits have the tendency to make us become complacent in life and meld into the background scenery.
“Most of us think that there is right and a wrong.” I ask why we think this. I say it is because of past generations philosophies and beliefs.
“That if we adhere to this right and wrong we would have a more just world.” “If we only knew what we know now.” I think this creates a perception that is only relevant to the individual. It is the individual who decides if life is better than it was before. I would suggest in relevance’s to me that life is better than 100 years ago. But again this is a matter of opinion and the fact that I cannot be the judge for a society. This would be unfair to everyone else. But going back to the statement I made that making life simple only complicates things more fits perfectly. Look at all the advances we have made, which I feel have made my life better than 100 years ago. But on the other hand it has also complicated and distanced the human relationship. We have created more ways to connect with each other but it has taken away the personal human connection. How much more wherefore’s would there be if only people took the time to commune on a personal level. But I digress as Mr. J puts it. So I ask you to think about your own life situation. Is it better because of our predecessors or despite them? I would like to believe that the journey I take will help the future find a better life or at least give them options. Just something to think about.
Conclusion: Wherefore equals a motivator for our life journeys. So I say thanks Mr. J for enlightening me to what fuels our journey and to start looking not only at the journey itself but what that journey is leading to or is lead by. It is our journey that teaches the future generations but it is their own wherefore that motivates them to choose to start a journey in the first place. But remember that your wherefore may change frequently throughout your journey. Stay focused, creative and motivated. Make personal human connections on the way because you never know who you may influence or influence you. Live on.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
a beast of a response
I agree with Mr. A’s thought that what we do, we should do for the future generation’s journey’s. But I think it is naive for us to hold this position without a wherefore. I doubt we would do anything if we thought it would be all for naught. But say it is all for naught, we still have to aim for something. So then Wherefore do we live and work?
In college, I had a different name for the Unamunian “wherefore”. This version was actually a sincere three word prayer directed to God. And I quote “ What the FU*K ?” Pardon the vulgarity, but it brought the sincerity needed to ask God why. It was only until much later that a friend recommended Unamuno to supplant this thought/question.
Mr. A’s line of thinking wonders what would happen if we constantly ask “wherefore?” He thinks that it might destroy our motivation ( forgive me if I am wrong on this). Typically, in order to respond to that thought, I’ve got to ask, what motivation does the world or I have? The usual answer is to create a better, more just world. But there are problems with this. For what is better, what is more just? Take the following question; why do we have laws, why do we have morals? The easy answer is to maintain a functioning society. But morality, importantly so, goes beyond function, as it finds so many things to be wrong that are seemingly victimless or against the law. Most would not hold morals/laws being wishy washy as Mr. A example of philosophy class, for his example showed, that things can be right and wrong as long as we can put a good argument behind it.
But we don’t think that. Most of us think that there is right and a wrong. That if we adhere to this right and wrong we would have a more just world. To me this is just an illusion that almost all of us suffer from in one way or another; the believe that we have a better grasp of understanding then our predecessors. The phrase, “ if they only knew what we know now” comes to mind. For example, who was not sickened by the German people doing nothing about the Holocaust? Or how about American Slavery? What do you think about those people who ignored the ashes descending from the air in Germany? What about the American Confederates who thought it right to preserve slavery? Of course we know better now. We would never allow this willingly again (at least you I would not if it were to be so blatant as ashes falling from the sky). All this leads me to say, sure we do know better - not to do those specific things. But do we know what is better in a different situation? It becomes harder in nuanced situations. Perhaps people will look back at us in 100 years and scoff at the idea that we could be so heartless as to not want people to have healthcare. The point is, I think most of us would have a hard time figuring what is better because we really do not have a better understanding of better. Why do we want better? Why is it wrong to do certain things? Why is it important do we try to prevent the Holocaust?
It cannot be happiness- with a few exceptions, I think we are no happier then anyone in the past. Is it morality? Quite frankly, with a few exceptions, we are no moral than our predecessors. Love, less violence, better philosophical insight? Quite frankly we don’t have more love, less violence, or better philosophical insight. I can give another “ quite frankly” if you wish.
WHEREFORE our journey !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????? If there is no better, is it really to only perpetuate the same situations in a new way? I don’t think so. I don’t think any of us really want to believe that everything we do will do, we do for no reason other than the continuation of the same existence.
Unamuno was right to observe the madness this line of thinking can cause. His opus, The Tragic Sense of Life was well titled. Mr A. similarly was astute enough to recognize the impracticality of this line ( well done bro - wish I could show you how many great ideas you stumbled upon that line of thinking but ...)
Before I go further, I am going to boil it down and let my favorite author Dostoevsky give Unamuno’s response to the question of Wherefore (note the italicized portion is the actual answer): “If you were to destroy the belief in immortality in mankind, not only love but every living force on which the continuation of all life in the world depended, would dry up at once.”
Why did Jesus mention the whole gain world, loose soul idea? But I will quickly digress ...
Whether someone be an atheist or believer, it was all the same to Unamuno. We all want to be immortal, to perpetuate ourselves somehow. Although, both Dostoevsky and Unamuno found their immorality via God, I am sure they sought a back up plan with their work, ie their future generations journey which involves reading their books.
Whoever is reading this, heed my point. Ask yourself Wherefore you do anything. God? Morality? Art? We all operate on a Wherefore. If you ignore this but think you are doing your part for future journeys, then you risk what Dostoevsky warned us against above; become nothing but a series of habits where there will be no progress made in one’s life, nor contribution, only habits. And I quote, “It seems, in fact, as though the second half of a man's life is made up of nothing, but the habits he has accumulated during the first half.” And people wonder why I hate TV ( don’t worry I use it all the time)- what most of us do the moment we get a free moment. We need a wherefore.
The Grand Inquisitor’s argument (chapter in The Brothers Karamazov, is the consequence of not believing this.) So what do we do, Mr. A was right on this one. and I quote “ To be content with living life without existence or recognition of who you are as a person or the thoughts that one has but may be afraid of sharing, which has changed for me. I believe trying to make life too simple results in life becoming more complex. We are complex beings meant to share, dream, think, explore and live. It is time that we step into this role and begin discovering or uncovering or living our journey.” But, Mr A., it seems might just be wrong on one thing. For to discover or uncover our journey we need to accept that it needs a wherefore. Find it, or at least die trying, before the couch finds you dying on it.
Funny enough I picked up a novel by Unamuno and found a conversation set between two friends as they meet up for a chess game; it reminded me of Mr. A’s point ( as quoted in the above paragraph) about life’s complexities and purpose. I’ve added some different details for giggles:
“ You are a little late today my boy”, said Jarod to Anthony. “You are always so punctual.”
“Why, yes, to be sure - business -”
“Business! You?”
“Do you think that nobody but nurse-philosophers has business to attend to? Life is much more complex then you imagine.”
“Or simpler than you perhaps think ---”
“It might be anything.”
“Very well, play!”
In college, I had a different name for the Unamunian “wherefore”. This version was actually a sincere three word prayer directed to God. And I quote “ What the FU*K ?” Pardon the vulgarity, but it brought the sincerity needed to ask God why. It was only until much later that a friend recommended Unamuno to supplant this thought/question.
Mr. A’s line of thinking wonders what would happen if we constantly ask “wherefore?” He thinks that it might destroy our motivation ( forgive me if I am wrong on this). Typically, in order to respond to that thought, I’ve got to ask, what motivation does the world or I have? The usual answer is to create a better, more just world. But there are problems with this. For what is better, what is more just? Take the following question; why do we have laws, why do we have morals? The easy answer is to maintain a functioning society. But morality, importantly so, goes beyond function, as it finds so many things to be wrong that are seemingly victimless or against the law. Most would not hold morals/laws being wishy washy as Mr. A example of philosophy class, for his example showed, that things can be right and wrong as long as we can put a good argument behind it.
But we don’t think that. Most of us think that there is right and a wrong. That if we adhere to this right and wrong we would have a more just world. To me this is just an illusion that almost all of us suffer from in one way or another; the believe that we have a better grasp of understanding then our predecessors. The phrase, “ if they only knew what we know now” comes to mind. For example, who was not sickened by the German people doing nothing about the Holocaust? Or how about American Slavery? What do you think about those people who ignored the ashes descending from the air in Germany? What about the American Confederates who thought it right to preserve slavery? Of course we know better now. We would never allow this willingly again (at least you I would not if it were to be so blatant as ashes falling from the sky). All this leads me to say, sure we do know better - not to do those specific things. But do we know what is better in a different situation? It becomes harder in nuanced situations. Perhaps people will look back at us in 100 years and scoff at the idea that we could be so heartless as to not want people to have healthcare. The point is, I think most of us would have a hard time figuring what is better because we really do not have a better understanding of better. Why do we want better? Why is it wrong to do certain things? Why is it important do we try to prevent the Holocaust?
It cannot be happiness- with a few exceptions, I think we are no happier then anyone in the past. Is it morality? Quite frankly, with a few exceptions, we are no moral than our predecessors. Love, less violence, better philosophical insight? Quite frankly we don’t have more love, less violence, or better philosophical insight. I can give another “ quite frankly” if you wish.
WHEREFORE our journey !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????? If there is no better, is it really to only perpetuate the same situations in a new way? I don’t think so. I don’t think any of us really want to believe that everything we do will do, we do for no reason other than the continuation of the same existence.
Unamuno was right to observe the madness this line of thinking can cause. His opus, The Tragic Sense of Life was well titled. Mr A. similarly was astute enough to recognize the impracticality of this line ( well done bro - wish I could show you how many great ideas you stumbled upon that line of thinking but ...)
Before I go further, I am going to boil it down and let my favorite author Dostoevsky give Unamuno’s response to the question of Wherefore (note the italicized portion is the actual answer): “If you were to destroy the belief in immortality in mankind, not only love but every living force on which the continuation of all life in the world depended, would dry up at once.”
Why did Jesus mention the whole gain world, loose soul idea? But I will quickly digress ...
Whether someone be an atheist or believer, it was all the same to Unamuno. We all want to be immortal, to perpetuate ourselves somehow. Although, both Dostoevsky and Unamuno found their immorality via God, I am sure they sought a back up plan with their work, ie their future generations journey which involves reading their books.
Whoever is reading this, heed my point. Ask yourself Wherefore you do anything. God? Morality? Art? We all operate on a Wherefore. If you ignore this but think you are doing your part for future journeys, then you risk what Dostoevsky warned us against above; become nothing but a series of habits where there will be no progress made in one’s life, nor contribution, only habits. And I quote, “It seems, in fact, as though the second half of a man's life is made up of nothing, but the habits he has accumulated during the first half.” And people wonder why I hate TV ( don’t worry I use it all the time)- what most of us do the moment we get a free moment. We need a wherefore.
The Grand Inquisitor’s argument (chapter in The Brothers Karamazov, is the consequence of not believing this.) So what do we do, Mr. A was right on this one. and I quote “ To be content with living life without existence or recognition of who you are as a person or the thoughts that one has but may be afraid of sharing, which has changed for me. I believe trying to make life too simple results in life becoming more complex. We are complex beings meant to share, dream, think, explore and live. It is time that we step into this role and begin discovering or uncovering or living our journey.” But, Mr A., it seems might just be wrong on one thing. For to discover or uncover our journey we need to accept that it needs a wherefore. Find it, or at least die trying, before the couch finds you dying on it.
Funny enough I picked up a novel by Unamuno and found a conversation set between two friends as they meet up for a chess game; it reminded me of Mr. A’s point ( as quoted in the above paragraph) about life’s complexities and purpose. I’ve added some different details for giggles:
“ You are a little late today my boy”, said Jarod to Anthony. “You are always so punctual.”
“Why, yes, to be sure - business -”
“Business! You?”
“Do you think that nobody but nurse-philosophers has business to attend to? Life is much more complex then you imagine.”
“Or simpler than you perhaps think ---”
“It might be anything.”
“Very well, play!”
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Along the Road Part 3
In response to the statement made by Mr. J regarding the “wherefore” and things ceasing to exist forever. Does it truly disappear forever? I feel like the “wherefore” contradicts the need to create the art, leave the knowledge and examine the genetic code. The journey we are traveling is to be left for those in the future or for our children to learn from, reexamine and lay a framework for other journeys to be created. Look at the experiences, journeys we review or use as a measure. (I.e. Socrates, past presidents, sports figures, parents, etc.) Without those would we be who we are now. Definitely not we would be living a different journey, discovering different things or even beginning a new conquest somewhere else. I don’t know if we can contemplate whether or not there is an infinite end. Although, it is interesting to think about it from time to time. We must think to the future of tomorrow. For if we think according to the “wherefore”, then what motivation does the world or you and I have. I want to take a look at the “wherefore” as a motivating tool for us to explore and try to prove that this may be wrong. That there is that purpose or journey, there is that reason or future to create the knowledge and art for the world to view now and forever. But yet again what is forever. It is what makes our journey, the pursuit to make our journey last and be remembered forever. [Excellent reply Mr. J never thought of it this way.]
Mr. J it is funny that you make mention of my previous inability to provide you with any answers or even debate with you back in the day. It has come to my attention lately that one I didn’t know or have any answers because I had not ever allowed myself to think about such things. Two, some part of me didn’t want to think or know the answers. Perhaps due to the fear of the answers or the ingrained idea that expression and free thought are not quite welcome. Or that my opinion does not matter much to the world or would be wrong, which I learned through our philosophy classes that right or wrong does not matter as long as you can verify and certify your thoughts, facts and opinions. This made me reflex upon most people’s responses to such a question. I experienced this same incident just the other day, someone not being comfortable expressing or sharing their thoughts and ideas due to the inability or fear of sharing. I think that this is common in our world today although history teaches us to do the opposite and fight for our right to think.
To be content with living life without existence or recognition of who you are as a person or the thoughts that one has but may be afraid of sharing, which has changed for me. I believe trying to make life too simple results in life becoming more complex. We are complex beings meant to share, dream, think, explore and live. It is time that we step into this role and begin discovering or uncovering or living our journey. [Glad I am a part of your answer. It goes to show that distant and life does not hinder true friendship.]
Mr. J it is funny that you make mention of my previous inability to provide you with any answers or even debate with you back in the day. It has come to my attention lately that one I didn’t know or have any answers because I had not ever allowed myself to think about such things. Two, some part of me didn’t want to think or know the answers. Perhaps due to the fear of the answers or the ingrained idea that expression and free thought are not quite welcome. Or that my opinion does not matter much to the world or would be wrong, which I learned through our philosophy classes that right or wrong does not matter as long as you can verify and certify your thoughts, facts and opinions. This made me reflex upon most people’s responses to such a question. I experienced this same incident just the other day, someone not being comfortable expressing or sharing their thoughts and ideas due to the inability or fear of sharing. I think that this is common in our world today although history teaches us to do the opposite and fight for our right to think.
To be content with living life without existence or recognition of who you are as a person or the thoughts that one has but may be afraid of sharing, which has changed for me. I believe trying to make life too simple results in life becoming more complex. We are complex beings meant to share, dream, think, explore and live. It is time that we step into this role and begin discovering or uncovering or living our journey. [Glad I am a part of your answer. It goes to show that distant and life does not hinder true friendship.]
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Along the Road Part 2
Response to Mr. A's post by Mr. J
The metaphors spoken by Mr. A. of being along the road and reflecting on life's journey is aptly put. I have been asked, "How do you remember your road so far? Whether just beginning, in the middle or well seasoned there are things that leave a time stamp. Besides the major life changes most of us experience, what are the little or unnoticeable things that have made a lasting impression on your road?"
Being who I am, I cannot simply nod my head and think about all the events and passages big or small that make up the road of life. At least not at first. Rather annoyingly, I have to ask myself, what road, what journey? Should I think of life as being a road or a journey? I am well aware that as a pseudo philosopher/nurse, I am ill suited, but all too wanting, to respond to such questions with such Socratic zeal (asking a question with a question- they killed him because he was so annoying). But what can I do, I'm a big fan of the Socratic method.
I have to wonder if life is a journey? And, what is a journey? By definition, a journey is to go from one place to another. So, am I going anywhere? The obvious answer is yes. I have a beautiful wife, the best son in the world, and another child whose arrival I cannot wait for. I have finished my graduate degree along with a monster of a thesis and am currently trying to publish some work. But, to quote my favorite Spanish author, Unamuno, "Wherefore?" Translated: why does it matter if it's all going to end. In all likelihood we will cease to exist; all our knowledge, art, and genetic code to forever disappear. But enough about that.
If life is a journey, then it means we are going somewhere and because life is not devoid of meaning, it's toward something. But again, wherefore? Mr. A, when I would pose such questions in college, would have no answer. But he would listen, and listen well - the best listener I know. I would never have have guesses that he was part of the answer. Or that my wife would be most of the answer. It would turn out that any time I would ask big questions regarding the purpose of life, life's answer was both simple and complex - and in the little things.
Life has provided me the answer to the question "Wherefore?". The problem I have have is being able to listen to it. For example, my solution to all my vices: listen to my wife. Further meaning in my life comes from knowing that the love of my friends, wife, and children is directing my soul's journey. It is, just like Mr. A says, in doing things like treating my patients. In being with them, I feel the presence of meaning and understanding. My point?
Life is purposely tossing it's answers left and right at me. The only thing life will not do is tell me exactly what is the concrete wherefore. I know that many a religion and it's believers think they have the answer to this question, and well, they do - but it still does not change a darn thing in this world. It does not change the fact that I have continue to try and understand my journey; to listen to the answers until I finally realize all that is.
The metaphors spoken by Mr. A. of being along the road and reflecting on life's journey is aptly put. I have been asked, "How do you remember your road so far? Whether just beginning, in the middle or well seasoned there are things that leave a time stamp. Besides the major life changes most of us experience, what are the little or unnoticeable things that have made a lasting impression on your road?"
Being who I am, I cannot simply nod my head and think about all the events and passages big or small that make up the road of life. At least not at first. Rather annoyingly, I have to ask myself, what road, what journey? Should I think of life as being a road or a journey? I am well aware that as a pseudo philosopher/nurse, I am ill suited, but all too wanting, to respond to such questions with such Socratic zeal (asking a question with a question- they killed him because he was so annoying). But what can I do, I'm a big fan of the Socratic method.
I have to wonder if life is a journey? And, what is a journey? By definition, a journey is to go from one place to another. So, am I going anywhere? The obvious answer is yes. I have a beautiful wife, the best son in the world, and another child whose arrival I cannot wait for. I have finished my graduate degree along with a monster of a thesis and am currently trying to publish some work. But, to quote my favorite Spanish author, Unamuno, "Wherefore?" Translated: why does it matter if it's all going to end. In all likelihood we will cease to exist; all our knowledge, art, and genetic code to forever disappear. But enough about that.
If life is a journey, then it means we are going somewhere and because life is not devoid of meaning, it's toward something. But again, wherefore? Mr. A, when I would pose such questions in college, would have no answer. But he would listen, and listen well - the best listener I know. I would never have have guesses that he was part of the answer. Or that my wife would be most of the answer. It would turn out that any time I would ask big questions regarding the purpose of life, life's answer was both simple and complex - and in the little things.
Life has provided me the answer to the question "Wherefore?". The problem I have have is being able to listen to it. For example, my solution to all my vices: listen to my wife. Further meaning in my life comes from knowing that the love of my friends, wife, and children is directing my soul's journey. It is, just like Mr. A says, in doing things like treating my patients. In being with them, I feel the presence of meaning and understanding. My point?
Life is purposely tossing it's answers left and right at me. The only thing life will not do is tell me exactly what is the concrete wherefore. I know that many a religion and it's believers think they have the answer to this question, and well, they do - but it still does not change a darn thing in this world. It does not change the fact that I have continue to try and understand my journey; to listen to the answers until I finally realize all that is.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Along the Road Part 1
Life’s journey, the things experienced, the adventures encountered, the sorrows and pain. How do you remember your road so far? Whether just beginning, in the middle or well seasoned there are things that leave a time stamp. Besides the major life changes most of us experience, what are the little or unnoticeable things that have made a lasting impression on your road? For me I feel my road is defined everyday by the people I work with. There are so many unfortunate situations out there that people make do with and at times feel is a good situation. It is amazing the things that one can live with or draw strength from. It makes me think to the life I have now, what I strive for and have not even begun to accomplish. It leads me to reflex on my road we call life.
I never thought myself to be a thinker (see my philosophy class grades for proof) or one to get excited, furious or upset over such things of life. More and more as I come to work, experience these lives and situations I have found that I have a lot more to say and on my mind then first perceived.
I thank all my college buddies (especially S2E and others) who have shaped and fueled this mind that is now firing on all cylinders despite the lack of outward passion I display. Late night conversations, strange behaviors and uncontrollable laughter allow me to impart this road that I am traveling to my clients and colleagues. I hope to continue to find joy in the work I do and create an avenue for us to express the things we are experiencing on our road.
I throw out there, that you start to look inward to the experiences of the past, the day to day living and try to find those things that make your road truly yours and find a way to share it with others. Or at least gain perspective into who you are or are becoming as a person of society. So again what is your road like?
I never thought myself to be a thinker (see my philosophy class grades for proof) or one to get excited, furious or upset over such things of life. More and more as I come to work, experience these lives and situations I have found that I have a lot more to say and on my mind then first perceived.
I thank all my college buddies (especially S2E and others) who have shaped and fueled this mind that is now firing on all cylinders despite the lack of outward passion I display. Late night conversations, strange behaviors and uncontrollable laughter allow me to impart this road that I am traveling to my clients and colleagues. I hope to continue to find joy in the work I do and create an avenue for us to express the things we are experiencing on our road.
I throw out there, that you start to look inward to the experiences of the past, the day to day living and try to find those things that make your road truly yours and find a way to share it with others. Or at least gain perspective into who you are or are becoming as a person of society. So again what is your road like?
Friday, March 5, 2010
The First
The premise of this blog. The foundation and creation of this blog has several purposes. I was thinking that I missed having intellectual, thought provoking conversations with friends. Quite often while driving, listening to music or laying down to go to sleep I get these random thoughts or ideas but never take note or put them down on paper. Nor do I every bring these ideas to others. I remember talking with college buddies and just throwing around thoughts. So I thought about creating this blog and asking my best friend and brother in law to participate as well. This way we have two different points of view and perspectives. So once a week one of us will post a blog about whatever is on our mind that week or something that we have thought about for a long time. After that blog is posted the other will respond to this post with our own thoughts and opinions. People should feel free to comment on those posts in order to create an interesting and open dialogue about what the three of us think as life develops and we experience our own adventures. I believe that people should find ways to continue to grow whether it is intellectually, spiritually or in developing an identity. So let the blogging begin. I don't know who will be posting first or when this will occur since I have to communicate with the other but I promise it will be shortly. Thank you in advance for you comments and time. I hope that at least one person gains or grows from this experience.
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