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 An Examined Life Pythagoras of Samos, a great scientist and teacher of his time 569-475 BC), demanded his pupils examine themselves at the end of each day. He didn't mean physically, but that they should examine their attitudes, actions, and their mental and spiritual state. He knew they would accumulate a wealth of knowledge and wisdom if they learned to live an examined life. When we are born, we have not yet fully become who we will be when we die, even though we are ourselves. Can we agree on that? We we die, we have fully become who we are going to be in this lifetime. Can we agree on that too? It logically follows then, that in between birth and death we are in the process of becoming ourselves. In this process, everything we think, do, and say, is another step toward our full self-evolution of this lifetime. Shouldn't we purposefully try to enhance our own evolution then? If we could push a button to become the best person we can be, or we could push another button to become something less; most of us would push the button to become the best we can be. Who wouldn't want to live life at their highest, most satisfying level if the choice were that easy? Luckily, it's not that easy! Luckily? Yes indeed. The deepest satisfactions in life are born of the challenges we face and the growth we embrace, not in what comes easily. Parents, wouldn't you agree that raising children into a successful and happy maturity is full of challenges? If you had a choice, would you rather rise to the challenge, or would you prefer to push a button and have an instant adult, skipping all the trials and tribulations - and rewards - between infancy and maturity? Most wouldn't trade the process for an instant finished product, knowing what all they'd have missed in the meantime. And didn't the act and art of raising children help you grow as an individual as well? It is in the journey that we learn, grow, and find our earthly rewards and deepest satisfactions. Shouldn't we then, choose to live an examined life as Pythagoras encouraged his pupils to do, so that we too may gain a wealth of wisdom and knowledge? Are we so busy and careless that we are willing to trade becoming ourselves for the endless doing of tasks? We are human beings, not human doings...anyone can find a few minutes at the end of the day for something as important as their own evolution. Of course, sometimes we will not like what we see in living an examined life. It means facing our faults and weaknesses. But faults and weaknesses can't be overcome without the discovery of them, and without the discovery of them, they continue to remain a part of our character. Of course, we're all built a little differently, but I don't think too many of us want to be known for our character flaws. Most would rather be regarded with esteem and respect for their character, and an examined life is a fundamental building block to that end. authored by mattijai |