Deep dark thoughts...

Since the news bores me today here’s a nice fluff piece.

*Warning: This is philosophy, it may bore you to tears*

Today I want to talk about virtue. I had first thought about talking about people I found to be virtuous, but that merely misdirects my fundamental thoughts on the matter, so I’ll stick with the intangible. Our society, to put it kindly, has lost sight of true virtue and sought to replace the intangible with the tangible. In much the same way as moral relativism has rendered morality less of a narrow path and more of a “connect the dots until you get where you’re going’ ideal, true virtue has faded from our vision, replaced by money, things, and the feverish pursuit of MORE.

The lessons from fairy tales have faded into obscurity along with the idea of true black and white, right and wrong. It is no longer important to be thought of as brave, strong, wise, patient, truthful, merciful, or kind. These ‘outdated’ virtues have been replaced by much more interesting and shiny monikers like ‘rich, powerful, stylish, and my personal favorite: ‘In’.

Think about what it means to be any of these things from either list. Which of these would you consider yourself to be? Which of these do you think about during your daily routine? Do you wake up and think “Today I will focus on being patient” or “I think I’ll really be brave today”. Most of us don’t unless forced to. If you have an annoying co-worker and are forced to exercise patience, will you do so in honor of being a good person or because lashing out at this person would only cause you trouble with your boss?

To contrast this point, have you ever woken in the morning and thought, ‘I need to strike it rich so I won’t have to work any more’. Or “I’m going to wear my new suit to work today and people are going to complement me on how nice it is”. I know it’s a natural thing to want complements and feel appreciated, even if it is only for your taste in clothing. Everyone is guilty of that now and then.

I guess this all comes from my sometimes overzealous introspection. Most often it’s when I’ve come to a place where I’ve met a goal of sorts. Even if it’s just buying something that I’ve been wanting to buy for a long time, or completing a task I’ve been working on or have been thinking about working on. In that quiet moment where I want no more, there’s a chance to look at where I’m at, who I am, and whether or not what I’ve accomplished made me better, or just brought me another thing. It’s a simple question to ask: “Am I a better person in some way for having accomplished what I have?”

Sadly enough there are many times when I find that what I have just done is fed a want, and am empty for it.

Here’s a fun experiment: Try finding a room in your house/apartment/trailer (wherever you live) that has very little in it. Empty that room of all you can, preferably leaving only the carpet and the paint. Now, sit in the middle of that room in silence. No TV, no radio, no Ipod, no animals. Just sit there and close your eyes and listen. Most of us will sit there for about 20 seconds and then begin to feel uncomfortable. You’ll want to open your eyes, or tap your feet, or make some sort of noise to fill the vacuum.

We’re so surrounded by distraction in our lives that any true substance is drowned out of our consciousness. True silence makes us uneasy, like something is missing. Once you become comfortable with silence and yourself in that silence, you will begin to see through the veil. Of course you might be frightened by what you find there, but the first step to improvement is awareness.

Back to my original point, do you know of anyone who displays a virtue that you feel you’re lacking?

I can name plenty: Kids in the cancer ward at Scottish Rite/Egleston children’s hospital here in Atlanta go to sleep and wake up fighting for their lives. Through it all they smile, laugh, and endure pain I can’t even imagine. They show a bravery unlike any I’ve ever shown.

Soldiers in our Armed Forces show a selflessness that I’ve never known. They are Americans and are entitled to all of the things I take advantage of every day. A home with a warm bed where I wake up to my spouse, my cats, my dog, and the breakfast of my choice. A drive to work that doesn’t include an armored vehicle, clothes of my choice… the list goes on. Instead they have all volunteered to wake up half way around the world in a place where death surrounds them, comfort is sparse and survival isn’t guaranteed. For any of you who haven’t seen a military paycheck, let me assure you that they aren’t there for the money.

My mother showed the patience of a saint in raising me. I see people every day with young boys and think to myself “I’d go crazy dealing with that day in and day out”.

This isn’t meant to be a beat yourself up post. It’s meant to bring to light the things we can do to be better than we are. Just stand back every once in a while and ask yourself whether you are part of the noise or part of the silence. You’ll more readily find the truth in the silence.

But remember, the truth hurts.