The Bible constantly refers to the fact that we have free will and for me that is the very premise of life. We must make choices and experience the consequences of those choices. Life is a spiritual journey. It is why socialism and 'government as God' removing choices is so abhorrent to me. Ritual only has meaning when it is freely adopted. That is what gives you joy in the ritual and what gives ritual meaning. If you were required to do jigsaws and drink cocktails with your daughter, the delight that you both experience, making the choice to do it, is instantly extinguished.
I believe this was your best essay among those of a philosophical bent. "...rituals are good when they are freely chosen" really sums it up well. Simple rituals like making the morning coffee or watching dog videos with my grandsons provide a comfort that is hard to explain. I miss the ethnic family rituals, usually centered around holidays and food, that have slipped away with my more Americanized generation. But, I guess it was a choice, wasn't it? Your frog-turtle fable reminds me of The Ambitious Violet by Khalil Gibran, another story about experiencing life to the fullest. You said a lot in a few words.
The Bible constantly refers to the fact that we have free will and for me that is the very premise of life. We must make choices and experience the consequences of those choices. Life is a spiritual journey. It is why socialism and 'government as God' removing choices is so abhorrent to me. Ritual only has meaning when it is freely adopted. That is what gives you joy in the ritual and what gives ritual meaning. If you were required to do jigsaws and drink cocktails with your daughter, the delight that you both experience, making the choice to do it, is instantly extinguished.
Having the freedom to make choices is what life is all about.
I believe this was your best essay among those of a philosophical bent. "...rituals are good when they are freely chosen" really sums it up well. Simple rituals like making the morning coffee or watching dog videos with my grandsons provide a comfort that is hard to explain. I miss the ethnic family rituals, usually centered around holidays and food, that have slipped away with my more Americanized generation. But, I guess it was a choice, wasn't it? Your frog-turtle fable reminds me of The Ambitious Violet by Khalil Gibran, another story about experiencing life to the fullest. You said a lot in a few words.
Thank you, David. I enjoyed writing this one.
Thank you!
I did read Man's Search for Meaning. It was very moving and profound. I remember the episodes you described.
We have a book club in my cancer community. We read it there.