Humans are liable to experience a variety of afflictions, but they are commonly endowed with a capacity for happiness and respectability. There is no guarantee, however, that they will exercise this capacity at all times and to the maximum, whatever happens. Depression and shame remain a possibility, which increases with the severity of their afflictions and the difficulty of living up to the values that are necessary for their happiness and respectability: courage, efficiency, wisdom, and nobility.
Living up to these values is never easy, even under extremely favorable circumstances. It requires an effort of will. To make or not to make this effort is the question, central to the human existence. This question is difficult in proportion to the weight of suffering that bears on humans, while their dignity hangs in the balance. The more burdensome this weight, the more tempting it is for them to take the easy way out. The fear of losing their dignity, however, is a strong deterrent. There is no greater loss than that of dignity, save the loss of life itself. Yet, the easy way out is a very powerful temptation in extremely unfavorable circumstances. Giving up instead of living up to the values mentioned above is then deplorable but understandable. Excruciating circumstances are extenuating ones.
Amazingly enough, despite the burden of suffering that is oppressive to many, the incidence of moral collapse ? in the form of errant ways like carelessness, vagrancy, and crime, often accompanied by alcohol or drug abuse to fuddle the conscience ? is small in comparison with the incidence of worthy behavior. Furthermore, a moral collapse is remediable, except when the person concerned shows an inveterate or congenital weakness, or a mental illness that is beyond cure. On the whole, dignity can be lost and regained.
As for those who resist quitting the struggle for worthiness, they rarely do their best. In many instances their spirit is tainted with some degree of indulgence in laziness, cowardliness, ineffectiveness, foolishness, selfishness, and meanness. It has the grayness of dawn. Even those who shine like a late morning sun have a shadow of imperfection at their heels. In short, humanity has yet to fulfill its potential. While there is much courage, efficiency, wisdom, and nobility in the world, much happiness and respectability, there could be a whole lot more. The key to this rise is an effort of will.
Laurent Grenier's writing career spans over twenty years. During this time he has broadened and deepened his worldview, by dint of much reflection and study, and in the end has crafted "A Reason for Living," his best work to date.
Official web site: http://laurentgrenier.com/ARFL.html
From what you see around you in your daily lives,... Read More
Many of my clients are working harder than smarter. This... Read More
When I tell you what I heard you'll be able... Read More
I am sure it is safe to say that each... Read More
My grandmother, Mimi, was a great solitaire player. My family... Read More
It was just a few degrees shy of swimming weather... Read More
It was a bright Saturday morning in the late fall.... Read More
Where does happiness fit on a scale of 1 to... Read More
We are in constant competitionIf we take evolution seriously, then... Read More
Happiness is a state of mind, so your state of... Read More
The Life Path is determined by the sum that is... Read More
The most beautiful flowers, in conjunction with their design and... Read More
Is your life really the life you want?Quickly determine how... Read More
A woman we'll call "Jane" thought she was a great... Read More
Could you stand to have a lot more happiness in... Read More
Right off the top: What is the difference between dating... Read More
We all want happiness and peace of mind. In the... Read More
Is there any necessary connection between our actions and the... Read More
I talked in a recent article about how every moment... Read More
Yes, this is correct. Sunny Days are here to stay,... Read More
It is now 5 years since I passed out of... Read More
Flowers are a simple, sincere and unobtrusive way to lift... Read More
What makes you happy? What are the simple pleasures that... Read More
Jesus says in Matthew 13:25"But while men slept, his enemy... Read More
Fortunate, indeed, is the man who takes exactly the right... Read More
Many ask me this question: "Did moving to Mexico make... Read More
The one feature that sets life on Earth apart from... Read More
Getting out of our busy mode and into our heart... Read More
I have decided to declare 2004 as the YEAR OF... Read More
Who is the happiest person in America? USA Today featured... Read More
The demands of being a good person can sometimes mean... Read More
Everyone wants to be happy. When you decide to be... Read More
My journey to becoming a therapist began with a desire... Read More
Our bodies were made in such a way that everything... Read More
The quality of your life has a strong connection with... Read More
Can you remember a time when you became a little... Read More
A woman we'll call "Jane" thought she was a great... Read More
Many people live in clutter, emotionally eat themselves into overweight,... Read More
To begin feeling that first spark of self-confidence within you,... Read More
As a teenager growing up reading 'Blue Jeans' and 'Jackie',... Read More
Though his racing speed is a maximum 6 feet per... Read More
Most people don't even know they're doing it. Throughout the... Read More
Sometimes we are so occupied with our daily routine in... Read More
Did you know that your life's success in all areas... Read More
Too many of us seem to think that there should... Read More
Happiness is something we all seek, yet few of us... Read More
It is now 5 years since I passed out of... Read More
Everyone has issues with self esteem. It's no wonder then... Read More
The freeway was relatively clear. It was early in the... Read More
Since the mission of this newsletter is to help you... Read More
The year is almost half over. Many of us are... Read More
What is the one thing you want more than anything... Read More
Confuscious, the Chinese Philospher is quoted as saying : "I... Read More
Boiled down to all of our essence, all we really... Read More
Sure it sounds easy? "Be happy." Let's face it there... Read More
My life always appears to be so hectic. It's as... Read More
Although many for us strive for happiness in our daily... Read More
During a FULFILLMENT seminar, at the University of Arizona for... Read More
What is happiness? If we mean by it a state... Read More
We are all familiar with or have heard of the... Read More
"Hey everybody!" Hairdresser Lady called out. "It's The Happy Guy.""Don't... Read More
I have never lived anywhere else where when you walk... Read More
We've all had a vision or a great idea and... Read More
Achieving a level of personal happiness previously unknown is closer... Read More
Did you know that it's up to you?It's actually your... Read More
Sometimes change is pleasant. A child is born. A new... Read More
Finding Happiness |