So I picked up CS Lewis' Surprised by Joy and am utterly in love with it after one chapter. So somebody else has felt that too! Joy is an interesting choice of name for such a desperate and fierce emotion.
But those moments are the ones worth living for... am I a fool to do anything besides finding them?
Here is a question for the ages: do I need to change my situation to fit who I am? Or adapt who I am to the situation I am in?
It seems the latter might put me among the hordes of people "leading lives of quiet desperation."
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11 comments:
Julie,
If you're reading CSL, you might find this post interesting: http://newbible.blogspot.com/2006/01/strange-journey-csl.html
Also, you might enjoy reading other entries on Larry's blog.
Concerning the question for the ages: How about a third option? Rather than changing the situation or adapting, is it possible to remove one's self from the situation -- to see one's self as above or aloof without vanity?
I appreciate your comments on my blog. It's good to see thoughtful comments rather than humorous or perfunctory comments. I generally don't respond to comments because I'm not intested in debating but in provoking thought in myself and others. However, if there's something of specific interest, let me know and I'll respond.
Paul,
Thanks very much! As it turns out, I discovered your blog through Larry's (there finding the suggestion for my current book), and am quite glad of both.
One cannot have enough thoughtful discourse, of course, but I don't particularly expect responses to any comment I might leave. More likely I would just write a longer commentary in my own blog.
Concerning my question - would that it weren't mine alone to live out! I do not know the answer with certainty, yet. A third approach to consider, indeed.
George Bernard Shaw said, "Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world and unreasonable people adapt the world to themselves. Therefore all progress depends upon unreasonable people."
Personally I don't see why one cannot do a bit of both options.
Incidentally sometimes I go into the pub in Oxford where CS Lewis regularly met up with Tolkein.
JOY, a SPIRITUAL emotion
i'll have to look that one up
not because i don't her
but because i want more
of her, Joy, in Hebrew, i will
to look for more of it.
thanks, i hope i haven't
messed up your blog, but it
has been so joyful and filled me
with joy.
Your writing has a way of speaking
that is very ringing, very feeling,
very, very good.
Or adapt who I am to the situation I am in?
Might be the better way.
This will make you more flexible.
It requires less energy. Don't resist too much. Go with the flow.
This called wu wei.
I enjoyed the wikipedia entry on wu wei and feel that it describes my approach well... my ideal approach. Discernment of action and discernment of timing to act.
Exactly. You have to go with the flow first before you can decide to act or not to act. You can't stand still. To stand still or sit still is to be vulnerable or to be out-of-sync. You have to find out where the action is. You have to keep moving. You can't wait for anything to hit you. Just an opinion.
Ah, thank you. I understand better now...
Hi, Im from Melbourne Australia. Please check out these related essays on Love, Wisdom & Happiness
1. www.dabase.net/divhscrt.htm
2. www.dabase.net/happytxt.htm
3. www.dabase.net/dht7.htm
4. www.dabase.net/restsacr.htm
5. www.dabase.net/twoarmc.htm
On the contrary, Julie; we all change daily--willing or not; in theological terms we're growing closer to God, Heaven, Joy or away from it.
I'm very different from the man I was 5 years ago-- hopefully closer.
The secret of life (and joy) is to grow in consciousness to a wider and deeper and fully level day by day. This is happening to you whether you know it or not. You are changing day by day--hopefully closer.
BTW if you haven't read The Great Divorce (by CSL), it's well worth while, and very easy to read.
Blessings
Blessings.
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