I am not unreasonable. In fact, it is my humble opinion that I am far more reasonable and rational in my philosophy than my counterpart, Ms Nomer. In the previous post, I said that it was important to prioritise and to channel your energy into a worthwhile cause if you want to have something to show at the end of the day. And all of you nod your servile heads in agreement. But what is a worthwhile cause, you wonder?
Though by no means do I wish to prescribe what is worthy of your life’s endeavour, I would like to suggest this as the most worthy cause for a human being: being happy. The logic by which I reach this conclusion cannot be faulted. By the end of this post, you will have to agree that this is by far the best, the most meaningful, the most excellent goal of all human endeavour.
Let me ask a question: how many things do you know for sure to be true? Some of you will say: the physical laws I know to be true, such as gravity and melting points and the like. But I ask, is gravity true in space? Isn’t it only true only within the context of your experience, that is, here on earth? An apple falls on Newton’s head somewhere in the continent of Europe. Will that same apple fall universally?
The fact remains that everything that we observe is only true within certain parameters. We cannot be absolutely and completely certain of anything. Does that mean that there is no such thing as absolute truth? Does that mean we are left to flounder in perpetual flux?
Ah, but there is one thing that is sure: that which is within our own hearts. If you cannot have faith in what you observe, have faith in the instrument! As long as you are satisfied, you are true to yourself, and that happiness can never be taken away from you. Does making a name for yourself make you happy? Work your butt off for that cause. Does experiencing new things make you happy? Do it until you want something else, then do that instead. Does doing good to others give you fulfilment? Seek to exceed Christ in good works!
This way, at the end of your life, you will have no regrets and can at least say: I have been true to myself, the one thing that I am certain of.
Gaily yours,
Anthrope
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Monday, March 13, 2006
Lesson #2: Be Happy
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4 comments:
Ah, but there is one thing that is sure: that which is within our own hearts.
Really?
I've always thought that the heart is deceitful above all things.
I don't have, nor have I yet met someone who has, a heart that's true.
But what an awful scenario! If you can't even trust your own heart, what can you trust?
My point exactly. Well said.
interesting post, it made me think... here's a list in no particular order...
*** that people want to or are in a position to accomplish - what abt the millions who are powerless to accomplish? esp in poverty stricken countries or in regions inaccessible... accomplishment is at the pyramid of Maslow's pyramid of needs... it assumes that the foundations of fulfilling what is necessary for mere survival has been attained...
but for many, eking out a subsistence is in itself an accomplishment... survival a goal, and living for one more day a lifelong endeavour...
*** that their lives have been worthwhile... that is the most subjective part of all, everyone has different goals, for some, fame, others, fortune... yet others, service to their fellowman, or service to God or country... what is worthwhile to one, may not be worthwhile for someone else...
*** known facts and truth are the same thing...
first, our so-called known facts are limited by our ability to test our hypotheses of our so-called reality... as little as four hundred years ago, man thought that the earth was flat, as little as two hundred years ago, flight was mere fiction, our current expression of the known universe is limited by how far our telescopes could peer through the mile-thick layer of atmosphere, and our knowledge of astronomy is mostly conjecture... and even till as late as last week, we're discovering new species of lobsters found only in the deepest abyss... so, "known fact" is only that until something comes along to disprove what we think we know... north is only north with respect to the magnetic field on earth, will there still be a north if we leave earth's orbit?
next, truth... we seem to think that truth is the same for everybody... is it really universal? what's true to one individual may not be true for the next... I believe that truth is circumstantial and experiential... if one is born into a culture where cannibalism is the norm, what is truth to that person? that eating another's flesh isn't taboo, right? compare that with the more widely accepted view that cannibalism is not only taboo, but reviled... how do we reconcile those truths? is one more right than the other? is the cultural bearing point of one more true than the the other? where is true north on the moral landscape and how is it defined? is there an absolute truth? or like you say, everything is in perpetual flux?
*** Faith - what is that? believing in something we cannot prove, see, feel, test, or touch? the opposite of science, where everything has to be verifiable by some universally acceptable method of testing?
*** what is happiness? it's pure emotion, euphoria... and it's a chemical reaction in the brain, created by the release of endorphins... taking certain drugs can mimic that and tickle that part of the brain to create an illusion of happiness... that's why druggies get hooked... even eating very spicy chillies can cause the brain to release endorphins, which is why some people are addicted to Indian food... stimulating the right part of the brain creates "happiness"...
*** Being true to one's self... even this is not guaranteed... what if one is absolutely stark raving mad and doesn't know it? if we are the only ones believing a delusion, is it real for the rest of humanity? what if the rest of humanity is delusional, and we are the only person who's sane (a la the Matrix)? What then?
so many questions, so few answers...
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