"The unexamined life is not worth living."

My friend John Vorhaus is an incredibly wise and generous man. Like the Sage of the Tao, he gives his knowledge freely and seems to have more, the more he gives away. He's an inspiration to me, as I struggle to be a wise and peaceful warrior.

Today, jv (as he is known to his friends) wrote, "The universe doesn't owe you anything but an education, and it gives you lessons every day."

It's easy, when overwhelmed by work or responsibilities, to get what I call "survival myopia" and lose sight of everything -- including a sense of scale and the lessons the universe is offering up every moment of every day -- except getting to the end of that To Do list. That, my friends, is a quick way to lose Balance, which is a quick way to unhappiness.

Trust me. I know what I'm talking about.

So, if I may impose on you all for a moment: don't forget to keep your eyes open and your head up. There are lessons all around us, and if we are open to them, our I believe we can live happier, fuller, more Balanced lives.

Comments

[Bender4Pharoah]

Boy did I need that advice today. Perfect timing, thanks!

What do you think about the advice from the supervillain in Heroes that a person can either be happy or live a life of meaning, but not both?

Malcolm MacDowell (always a great actor) was very persuasive when he said that in order to be happy, one must live in the present moment. However, to have a life of meaning, one must constantly churn up the past and fret about the future. Therefore, it's impossible to be both happy and live a meaningful life. He made a lot of sense.

I was thinking about how it would be possible to get out of that paradox. Since feeling like you're living a life of meaning and feeling happy are just...well, just feelings, it seems like it should be possible to toggle back in forth between the two feelings. If you want to feel happy, pull yourself back into the present moment and if you want to feel meaningful, then examine the past and future.

I wonder if there's some way to feel both feelings at the same time. If so, what do you think you'd need to think about in order to feel both happy and like you're living a life of meaning?

[Jenn M.]

"survival myopia", I love that, it's a perfect description. I've been in this situation of late so I know what you mean. Thanks for the eye opener.

[Wil]

Bender4Pharoh: I feel compelled to live a life of meaning, and if I'm not doing that, I'm not happy.

Therefore, to be happy, I need to live a life with meaning.

I don't think it's a paradox at all.

[Bender4Pharoah]

That makes sense...I'll churn and fret about that for a moment. lol

[Sally J]

1. Stop.
2. Reflect.
3. Write it down.

You inspire this kind of writing all the time, Wil.
It's what I love most about WWdN.

[RichClark]

You must be one of the most beautiful human beings that I have run into in quite some time. I appreciate your thoughtful comments and life lessons that you have taken to heart and continually share with me.

[Jonathan Korman]

Hmmnn. In one of the Chtorr novels, David Gerrold has a character who obviously wandered over from some Heinlein novel, say: “Actually, the universe does owe you a living. But it's a full-time job to collect on the debt.”

[Drev]

Awesome advice, Wil. I'll try to remember it.

About the Happiness vs. Meaning... I think you need a life of Meaning in order to be Happy. But it's what you find Meaning in that makes us all unique and beautiful.

[Damien]

You're a good man, Wil. The path to Sagehood is long, and full of little acts just like these.

Keep it up.

[Athol_Wolverine]

I have to agree with B4P, this blog entry came at the right time. Coincidence? Is anything a coincidence?

Anyway, I've been feeling for a while that my life is rather unbalanced and I've let myself slip somewhat into what you call "survival myopia". Thanks for the reminder that I need to step back and re-assess and do what I have to so I get that balance back. It's appreciated.

And I agree with you also, Wil, that living a life of meaning is crucial to finding happiness, and that the two do go hand-in-hand.

As Henry David Thoreau wrote in "Walden" -- "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

[TitanKT]

The Universe has seen fit to teach me lessons in perspective. Experience has taught me that life is much more satisfying and easy-to-manage when everything is in perspective. However, it never hurts to be reminded because even though I think I've become reasonably good at things like maintaining perspective, counting my blessings, letting go of the little stuff and avoiding useless indulgences in self-pity... like any human, I have moments when I need to be reminded.

I love sayings like that. Beautifully constructed, elegant little reminders that snap under your proverbial nose. I also love song lyrics that remind me, too. Like Jimmy Buffett saying, "Breathe in. Breathe out. Move on." Or P.O.D. saying, "Everyday is a new day. I'm thankful for every breath I take." Or Ray Charles telling me it's a beautiful morning and everything is going my way... because if you believe it and you live it... it's true.

[SantaFlash]

Living a life of meaning? Gotta say, it’s easier said then done. (Sorry...a natural pessimist here)

"The universe doesn't owe you anything but an education, and it gives you lessons every day." Lessons suck. And some individuals receive harsher lessons then others. It irks me that life is unfair. Working in Oncology, it is truly upsetting to see individuals diagnosed and dying (some more quickly than others) with cancer. My friend gets diagnosed with Stage 4 (the worst) colon cancer at age 30. I realize there is a lesson here. There always is. Value life, live it with meaning (as you have said), but my question is always “why”. Why do bad things really have to happen to good people? Rhetorical question, by the way. I tend to challenge the thoughts of others…regardless of whether they are celebrities or not.

I’m not having a “self-pity” party. It would be great if every Zen-like saying, in email or otherwise, made everything better. But unfortunately, they are usually short lived.

I’m sorry if this offends any of you. It has been a bad week….err, make that 2 years. :-\

[Alcira]

This blog post alone may get me through till the rest of the week and graduation itself. Eek!

[phedrang]

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do" - Eleanor Roosevelt

This quote from her has helped me move forward in my life professionally and personally.

When I get discouraged this one from Katherine Hepburn helps too:
"As for me, prizes are nothing. My prize is my work."

Thanks for your reminder!

[Tekn0phile]

very well put.
Namasté, Wil.

[Scott T]

That's great, Wil. I see it in the same way as Man separated from the natural world. That's really easy to do in a bustling metropolis like Los Angeles. We are not over nature. We are a PART of it!

Scott

[PeruvianHighlander]

Thank you, Wil. You inspired me to create my own blog a couple of years ago with your entertaining and insightful writing on the original WWdN. I have not checked back in a while and today was the ideal day. This post is perfect. My wife and I have been working on "Project Simplify" for a year, now, and I have been trying to reapply simple principles to my life. This post was the perfect sample of wisdom to further focus my efforts on the truly important things in life. Thank you.

[Sultana176]

Wil – I have only posted one other time but I’ve got to say I love this blog – in fact this is the first blog I have ever really read which has lead me to others – so for that – thank you.
(BTW got here from your reviews of ST:TNG and OMG I nearly pissed my pants when I read your review of “Justice” – got my office mate to laugh out loud for the first time in a year) And thank you for all you share with us. I look forward to reading this everyday and miss it when your schedule doesn’t permit.
Just so you know where I’m coming from I went to high school in the 70’s and fall in between the hippies and the serious geeks of the early ‘80’s – in other words, love sci-fi/fanasty stuff but never really got into gaming (as I read here I think I’ve missed out). You could say I’m very technical new age (enjoy technology and am taking a course in Reiki) So SantaFlash I hope this explains where I’m coming from – I completely hear where your coming from – while I absolutely agree with all the positive statements here – it’s very hard to live them sometimes. As to why do bad things happen to good people question…if I may give you my thoughts (even if it’s a rhetorical question) – and frankly they may just piss you off. Everything happens for a reason – we may not know what that reason is for some time or even ever. As to your friend dying young – (and here’s the real kicker) his dying may have nothing to with him and everything to do with someone else needing a lesson (and not necessarily you) or his death my serve some other purpose. I believe, if you friend has lived a good life, he will have another after this, whether in a spiritual state in the preverbial heaven or re-incarnate back here (I do not believe that we just go into oblivion). I hope this helps a little, it has always helped me.

[Sultana176]

BTW that doesn't mean we won't miss them and wish beyond wishing it didn't have to be.

[DJC]

Further to Jonathan's offering...

"Yes, grasshopper, the universe does owe you a living. But it's a lifetime
job to collect." -- David Gerrad's Zen and The Art of Whatever

The technical quips are my favs.

[Nicho]

He quotes Socrates and then does no justice by not citing him in the post? Shame on you, Wil. ^_^

While playing with this phrase - "The unexamined life is not worth living" - I stumbled across a play upon the words which I find no less inspiring: "The unlived life is not worth examining." - Anonymous

I hope you and yours are well.

[Syndelin]

"Value life, live it with meaning (as you have said), but my question is always “why”. Why do bad things really have to happen to good people?"

Rhetorical, ok, but sometimes just can't resist.
I believe that bad things happen to good people, because good people are the ones that will take the lessons and pass them on, turn them into something positive. Really good people are like filters, taking in the bad things, processing them, and releasing the positive energy that we create from the experience or lesson, back into the world. Or in the least, helping other people through the bad things that happen.

If all the bad things happened to the bad people, it would just continue the cycles and create more negative energy.

That's how I choose to look at it anyways, since I consider myself one of those good people, who has had more then what would seem anyones share of bad things. I just try to learn what I can, and use whatever knowledge I get to help anyone else that I can.

Sorry for the rambling way this came out, it's too early for me for this kind of discussion. LOL

Great post Wil!

[SantaFlash]

Sultana176,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. In no way does it upset me! I agree with what you posted.
As I stated in my post, I tend to be pessimistic at times. I do believe there is a reason for everything and that we may not be privy to the reasons. And I believe there is something beyond death. I have to, otherwise I'd go completely mad.
It just hit me oddly....we receive all this cute sayings, Zen-like quotes and other memorable quotes in email. We think "hhmmmm, that is a great thought!"...but does it really change anything? I don't mean to sound negative, just trying to sound "real".
By the way, should I praise Wil with every post? :) Sorry, sarcasm is a bad habit...one that is *very* hard to break!

[Gandalfe]

The unexamined life is not worth living?

Tell that to Oedipus.

[Joe]

I haven't dropped by in a while, and I hardly recognize this newly refurbished blogitarium. Dunno if I like it yet, but I suppose that doesn't really matter. Nifty little spell checker in the comment box is, nifty..

Here's my adding a cynical blurb to this discussion.

Sometimes "survival myopia" keeps folks out of trouble. Stay busy, work hard, and when fatigue sets in, relax and put your feet up. If you have a reclining sofa or chair, even better.

Reflecting back on the past is simply you looking to complicate things or having way too much time on hand. In the 60's, that problem was corrected with good herb. Now, it's swept under the rug by idealism.

There's beauty in pessimism and hate. Heck, talking crap about some mongoloid colleague you happened to run into during your day blows off necessary steam and keeps the spouse entertained. A little political incorrectness follows, and we're in zen.

This world is going to heck , I mean HeLL. I say let's enjoy the ride and indulge in a shrimp cocktail while we're at it. :) When Iran drops one of their "power generators" off the coast of Marina Del Rey, lets put on those Transitions Sunglasses and watch how quickly they darken.

For now, let's enjoy our TO-DO lists while and savor the survival myopia.. Yum, now that's a good vintage..

After all, life is a lesson.

[opak]

Ill keep my eyes open. But keeping your head up is an invitation to get it shot off if you are under fire...

But I get the gist of what he is saying.

[enjonel]

Hi SantaFlash,
I've been a hospital nurse for 31 years so I am no stranger to good people dying early. It doesn't make sense, it isn't fair, it doesn't feel right or good. It never will.

But, "bad" people die early too. Some of them are very loved by good people. These good people shed the same tears, hope the same hopes for a miracle, have the same holes in their heart when the "bad" person is gone...

Death hurts. It does and that's pretty well a fact of life. Early, late, in between. We hurt when we lose someone we love. We hurt because we love them. If there was no love, there would be no hurt.

I have seen many deaths, held many hands, hugged many mourners, watched many last breaths while whispering words of comfort to someone alone at their death, and lost more than a few myself. I can't speak for everyone, but for me, I wouldn't trade the hurt for the love... I wouldn't wish not to have loved just so I would not hurt.

No Zen saying. We are born. We live. We die. It's in the contract. And if we love, we hurt when someone we love dies. This is life. This is part of life.

No huge answers. No reasons. But bad things do not only happen to good people, and even when they happen to "bad", good people are affected.

We earn the hurt by the love.

[alicein1derland]

Thanks for this post, Wil - like a few other readers, the timing was fortuitous. Normally an optimist, I have been in unfamiliar territory in feeling burdened by my current circumstances. My mother is very ill, requires constant care, and it does not look like this will change for the remainder of her life. This has been a little overwhelming with a full-time job and a family to attend to. I was feeling sorry for myself and it was difficult to find a reason to cheer.

After reading your post it reminded me of many things I should be thankful for - the wonderful relationship I have always had with her, the time I have left to cherish and thank her, and for bringing me closer to my brother, who is in this with me every step of the way. It could be much worse.

The negatives in life can control you, but the simple positives will give you peace and set you free. I believe that pain is inevitable..... but suffering is optional. Thanks for your lovely and insightful help during this difficult time, Wil.

[Athol_Wolverine]

Hey, Wil, how'd you let that midnight infomercial type handbag ad slip through as a blog entry? Spammers find a way to be a pain in the ass everywhere, don't they?

[gravymatt]

"It's like a finger pointing to the sky"

>>Student stares at Master's finger point upward. Student receives a quick slap to the head from the Master.

"Don't focus on the finger or you will miss all the heavenly glory!"

Enter the Dragon (nice piece of writing)

[bitswapper]

The unexamined life is worth living. All life is worth living.

It might be more accurate to say that examining one's life may yeald insight and improve focus and sense of direction.

All life has equal value, meaning, and significance. To assert otherwise provides for the allowance to treat and value people differently. All kinds of abuses to humanity, even those inflicted on one's self, can be found in that place.

Think about it - where are you when you say that the life of Donald Trump is more important that the life of Jim the fry cook? It would probably be accurate to say that Donald Trump influences more people than Jim, but to those close to Jim, Jim is more meaningful than Donald. And, what Jim has to share could teach a person much more about life than a 'powerful and important' person has to teach.

Perhaps all that can be said of weighting life is that it distorts one's ability to perceive life.

[LokiDeCat]

A life not introspected is life not filled with regret.