23 September
“The Human Condition: A User’s Manual,” by Arnold
Kunst
Learn to let nature
get in the way. Let’s suppose you’re wrapped up in some variant of that oh, so
delicious sense of “Poor Little Ole’ me!” wounded pride/self-pity. Then you
step outside and find yourself in the presence of a breathtaking sunrise, or a sunset
– get the message. Nature, or God, or the Universe is trying to say something
to you. It’s subtle, and it requires a certain degree of tranquility, and it
goes something like this: “put the thing [whatever it is that you’re wrapped up
in] in some perspective by focusing on this!” My guess is, whatever it is that Nature
is calling you to revel in, it’s probably more valid than that
Poor-Little-Old-Me thing. When you think of it, self-pity is everyone’s natural
prerogative. Or, to put it crudely, it’s as common as dirt. But that
sunrise/sunset can be, if you and I but permit it, uplifting, transformative.
So are the subtle aromas of flowers, or the plumage of the simplest of birds,
or the taste of pure water on a really hot day, or the feel of your kitten’s
fur, or fresh air pumping into your lungs as you go jogging in a torrential
downpour.
But you need to
know the following: if you succumb to the seductive power of self-pity you will
of necessity be on the lookout for every pebble on the road of life – and then
figure out a way to trip over it. And since self-pity, especially validated
self-pity, is so powerfully seductive, when you do succumb to it, unfortunately
you really are as common as dirt.
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