No Veggies Needed
I know the three subjects you never discuss in public: sex, religion, and politics. And money, which makes four. Certainly, a discussion of one’s philosophy of life might encompass one or more of those topics. As such, what follows may raise an eyebrow or two. It might even overload the Twitter servers. Might even crash the Internet.
That said, here goes. Back in the eighties and nineties, I worked with a German Baptist. He and I worked for a company, which at the time had a very strict dress code. Contrarily, he was the only man in all of the corporate offices who didn’t wear a tie. I learned from a co-worker that such adornments went against his religion. As such, he was always relegated to an out-of-the-way office. I always admired him for his convictions. As time went on, we became good friends, and we shared many stimulating conversations.
While we never discussed religion per se, I do recall a particular conversation we had one day. I admitted that I was not particularly religious. To which he replied, “I would have never guessed that about you.” He went on to explain why he had always assumed that I was religious. I took his words as a great compliment. They had, after all, captured the essence of my philosophy of life in a nutshell.
I don’t need a carrot to encourage me to do the right thing. Likewise, I don’t need the threat of Brussels sprouts to discourage me from making the wrong choice. Similarly, I have never needed to be reminded to be a good person. And I’d like to think that I have always respected my neighbor, his wife, and his dog.
Right From Wrong
Whether there is a supreme being or an all-seeing eye, I cannot say. Was there ever a Big Bang? Or a Primordial Soup? Is there a Heaven? Does Hell really exist? Regardless of the answers to these ponderables of all ponderables, in my mind, interconnections exist between everything and everyone. Earth, air, water, and fire. The birds and the bees. The plants and the animals. Humankind of all biological and sociological origins. We all need each other. I guess that likewise captures the essence of my philosophy of life in another nutshell.
Will I continue in some manner after I die? No one can say with absolute certainty. Will we all meet again in some form, lifelike or otherwise? Some of the greatest minds that have ever lived have only managed to provide suppositions. To me, the answers to these questions and the answers to so many more unanswerable questions are unimportant. I guess that means I live in the here and now. With little consideration for why I am here or what happens next.
I understand the difference between right and wrong, and I try my best to do right by others. Except for the occasional acts of “pest control,” I have spent a lifetime respecting all things. Breathing and otherwise. As if everything and everyone were dependent upon my doing so. Most of the time, I recycle, and I try not to litter. I am careful not to waste water, and I always return the shopping cart to the designated area. And if I had a dog, I would make sure he didn’t tinkle on the neighbor’s flowers.
It’s Not the Dog’s Fault
Life should never be about carrots or Brussels sprouts, Heaven or Hell, a reward or a punishment. Life should be about doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. That said, we should never blame the dog for something that we don’t do on time, or don’t do right. We cannot blame our dad, a co-worker, or an authority figure for our rage. Likewise, we absolutely cannot hold others responsible for the crimes that we commit. Furthermore, we must always consider ourselves accountable for what we do, regardless of the circumstances. And life should never be about carrots or Brussels sprouts, Heaven or Hell, a reward or a punishment. Life should be about doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
Hopelessly Flawed
I know that I am a good person. And I know that I am hopelessly flawed. I hope that I have touched the lives of others in positive ways. I hope that someone will smile when they think of me, from time to time, when I am gone. Beyond that, there is little more that I know and little more that I can hope for.
In closing, for those I might have offended with my commentary, I apologize. And to those who were hoping that I might answer a litany of existential questions, sorry about that. Just remember to eat dessert first or not. Always wear clean underwear or not. And follow a golden rule, preferably not my dad’s. Also, making the right choices should never be about carrots and Brussel sprouts. Blaming the dog is just plain wrong. And whatever you do or do not do, live a life that you can look upon with pride. Even if no one else does.
