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 Mason's
Meditations
If
you're looking for something to chew over, some thoughtful seeds
for mental cultivation, bookmark this page for Jeff Mason's fortnightly
meditations. To think in or take away...
Number
1. The Art of Living. Nov. 15, 2000
The
art of living is a skill in negotiating the opportunities and pitfalls
of life that makes the best of whatever comes one's way. It comprehends
how best to meet the challenges, joys and setbacks that come with
living and dying. The answer is not just a way of thinking, not
just maintaining a positive attitude, though that is important;
it is an art of finding a path through life that turns aside what
is bad or makes something better of it.
Circumstances
vary, but it is possible to live artfully. This includes trying
to change what can be changed for the better and not to lament,
but accept, what can not be changed. The art of living is distinguished
from all the trappings of an outwardly successful life. Possessions,
and financial successes may not prevent profound unhappiness for
an individual, failure in personal relationships, or unawareness
of the beauties of the physical world.
To
live artfully is to live thoughtfully, act justly, and to speak
the truth, recognizing what is of genuine value, and ignoring what
is trivial. It is to be in the habit of doing and saying the right
things in the right manner, with good timing and a realistic appraisal
of the circumstances.
The
Greeks called this "sophrosune", soundness of mind, discretion,
moderation in feelings and actions, and self-control. These are
character traits, and, as Aristotle said, they come to us not by
nature, but by training. However, since we live by nature but act
through character, there can be an art of living-well or badly,
of making the best or worst of life. We can learn from those who
have gone before us, and, if we are lucky, from a few of those now
living who display the art of living. It is an interesting question
whether we could learn it by ourselves, without any role models
to guide us.
Mason's
Meditations will next be updated on December 1st 2000
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