Wow, it certainly has been raining with a thundering (literally) fury hear in southern California. I think I even heard of a tornado warning in Los Angeles not too long ago? So what is one to do in this deluge of storms?
Well, I like to celebrate by riding my bike through it...at least that's what I tell myself when I am being soaked, not only from above but also from below, courtesy of the wheels as they fire droplets of a mixture of (enough "of's" for you?) water and fine dirt from the road...it made for an interesting entrance into my research methods class today. :) Do not worry, no reprimand was given...I think I might have detected even a glint of respect from the eyes of the instructor as if thinking, "Man, my class must be very important to brave weather like this on a bike!"...I'm not sure, what do you think? Crazy of me, or worthy of some kind of respect? Personally, I just find it fun and different, for the same monotonous route to school becomes this exciting adventure, if only in its small microcosm of time and space...the only unbearable thing, really, was the effect of the wind chill upon my hands as they gripped the handlebars-they definitely got to the point of being numb and enjoyed the hot shower I experienced after class.
So, that puts me in the comfort of my robe, to where I am now, happily typing up more of my thesis proposal. And I think back to the cost of responsibilities placed upon one's shoulders as he or she becomes older and/or advances in his/her chosen field, and came to a conclusion (this actually has been in my mind for some time, yet it came again today): As one climbs the ladder of esteem and respect from colleagues, there is an unavoidable spotlight upon the climber that only grows in diameter, which encompasses more of that person's life being viewed by those observers who are curious about what got him/her there in the first place. So much can then be under scrutiny: Personal life choices, friends, acquaintances, activities, and certainly more. I ponder this, and I think then that it is of great importance to do this: Do what you love for the sake of others, for who can have any solid foundation to question that practice? If such a practice is, well, practiced with integrity, then how can one decry such a lifestyle?
And that is what I pose as a question for the dialogue out there: As I am sure that there are divergent thinkers out there, on what possible grounds do you think one can adequately decry a lifestyle that encompasses doing what is loved for the sake (or end) of others with integrity? I can think of but one potential reason for extreme cases...but I'll leave that until next post! :) Now, what do you think?
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I guess it is really how you define integrity, and how integrity relates to truth. Is truth a fixed point of reference that defines integrity with specific parameters or is truth several or millions of points of reference that leaves integrity without a definition at all? If my truth clashes with your truth, then how can I call what you do integrity. If Truth is fixed in the Goodness that is God Almighty, then integrity can only be found in respecting the information given to us by that source of truth.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point! I find that it is certainly in the contextual understanding of Truth that it is to be found and practiced (eg. a cultural understanding of integrity). Therefore, I would argue for a more varying sense of Truth, which would inevitably grate against another's sense of what is true. My support for that is found in the case for order rather than anarchy, in the sense of what is to be perceived as integrity. If everyone is to be conditioned to believe that there is but a single fundamental truth, that is, ONE THAT IS ALREADY DEFINED BY OTHERS, then there would be no room to invite the context of others who have not had appropriate exposure to that offering of "Truth". I believe that we can only continue searching for that one Truth, as I do believe it exists, one that works for any and all contexts. We can keep getting closer and closer...
ReplyDeleteTo continue, I would also argue that there is a certain "area of integrity" to be had within the Goodness that you described as being from God. I personally would cite the life of Jesus as the only example of true integrity to this Truth ever recorded; and it is so important, I think, to ponder this: that it was not in the words he spoke, so much in what he did to define "integrity" to this Truth. More importantly, it spanned the cultural and boundaries of the day, which were so very difficult to actually address with a steady use of rationale and conduct.
ReplyDeletebut, Truth is not defined by others, it is defined by the One who is all-knowing. Jesus was more than his actions, his words, were also important. His definition of himself, as the way, the truth, and the life defines truth as Jesus. Since we know Truth to be a fixed reference point that is God, Jesus declares himself to be God. He transcends the space of our knowledge to know what is in the heart. He gave his life so that we could have relationship with God. That is why he is unique and separate from all other religons. He gave his life so that we could know the truth. (well as much of the truth as we can understand about an infinite being)
ReplyDeleteand I TOTALLY agree with you!. Your last sentence in parentheses is the rationale as to why we must rely not only on our own "island understanding" of truth, as we see it, but test it with real experience over time, let it be refined by the fires of trial, and see what is left as gold
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