For those of us who havent had to weather a major health issue, a call to marvel at the daily miracle of life can have an effect similar to an architect explaining the technical feat of a skyscraper. Which isnt very much, assuming that were not so inclined. However, to the person who has survived a life-threatening ordeal, the romance and beauty of any day can stir the deepest parts of his soul, the way a symphony might move a maestro immeasurably. He is both impassioned and humbled by the scale of it, keenly aware of its nuances, its precious functions and potential, the microscopic tributaries that intertwine, collide and combine to form a pulsating whole. In that respect alone, he is more alive than the average person. He is utterly convinced of the usefulness of any given day, even any given hour, and is continually delighted and driven by how much he can do within that time. Because he is fully gratified by very little, he is that much richer than the wealthy magnate whos consistently underwhelmed by his suppers of caviar and champagne. That is not to say that jadedness is the fate of the wealthy. Plenty of rich people understand the possible triviality of money and draw more fulfillment from the un-material. Just as many low-income people fail to see beyond their tenuous finances. We are all vulnerable to what is possibly the biggest mistake of all - that is to merely exist instead of truly living - to dawdle through the humdrum of each day as if it were a minor inconvenience, to be wearied by the toil of work, and use that as justification to vegetate all evening. Yet, in every reflective moment lies the opportunity to submit to the awesomeness of life. To open our senses to it, study it, revel in it, harness it, and be completely seduced by it. To allow ourselves to comprehend, perhaps incrementally, how every moment, every activity, every subject, every person, can be just about as engaging and satisfying as we want it to be, provided we are willing to make the effort to learn about it and its role in the larger scheme of things. Of course we cant all become ravished by architectural blueprints or cello sonatas. But to that which we might have an affinity for, be it literature, animals, science, nature, gastronomy, politics, education, or sport, we should steep ourselves in it, if not in our jobs, then the personal hours after work, or whatever minutes we can spare. And I dont mean to simply be involved in the activity of it, but to also luxuriate in its effect, its meaning, its imprint on us. For nothing is trivial. Deeper understanding of any one subject can help deepen our appreciation for all of life itself.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 00:03:31 +0000
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