Monty Python's movie did not quite get to the bottom of this question, did it?
Well, let me have a whack at it...
First the thought occurs to me that the reason "meaning" eludes so many people is that we are altogether too complicated. Remember that book that came out a few years back enitled "Everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten"? Well there is much truth in that little book. The central lessons in life are really very simple. Play fair. Be nice. To name but two.
I mean did not Jesus say "you must be like a child to enter the Kingdom of Heaven"? Why is that? What secret do the children have? Well, in a word, they keep it simple. Simplicity is the secret people!
Along these lines I was thinking about the "simple" children's song: Row, row, row your boat.
Consider these lines:
Row, row, row your boat
gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but dream.
Now each line it seem's to me has a very central lesson, and when all four "line lessons" are put together they make an entirely fine philosphy of life.
Line one means: Attend to the task that life has given you.
Line two: Relax, don't force things so much, take it easy!
Three: Have fun, be happy.
Four: Nothing is permanent, life is passing, so don't get hung up on the details. They will change.
There. Feel better now? Good. Now go and take nap!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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