Sunday Musings – May 17, 2020
Although in courts in the United States one might swear or promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, truth is almost always formulated from the perspective of the narrator. As narrators we have an objective and must, therefore, tailor the truth to serve the objective. Often this objective is hidden from our consciousness. We may, for example tell ourselves that our objective is to tell the whole truth but convince ourselves that certain details are not relevant. in testifying in a court of law each side will attempt to elicit a truth which is favorable to their side of the case.
Since the arrival of the visit of covid-19 many around the world have been “sheltering in place” with access to only essential services such as food (for some and not for others), gas, utilities, internet, cable television, limited medical care, office supply stores and depending on where one lived, certain other services such as building and home supply stores. Restaurants, malls, movie theaters, department stores, bars, beauty shops/barber, and a host of other non-essential businesses have been closed. One could still order on line from many businesses or a few would allow one to order ahead and pick up items from a service person outside an establishment.
Many have been off work or working from home. Home closets and dressers have been emptied of much of their belongings.
Attics basements and garages have gladly given up many of the treasures. Some of us did shop at home supply stores such as Lowe’s for material to complete home projects such as new flooring or a new coat of paint. Some of us resumed returned to making bread and more elaborate meals while some took advantage of take out services.
Many of us have been reexamining what is essential. Obviously, for those of us that continued to have an income, all the basics of food, basic clothing, housing, utilities and apps such as Zoom which along with phones allows us to stay in close touch with others, it was relatively easy to use the time to reassess what is essential in this very brief life journey. Often, we found that although we missed seeing friends face of face – sans masks - cultural events, visiting the library or book stores, and gyms, if truth be told, we did not miss all the non-essential services which are such a core part of the economy. For many of us, if we were honest, we found we had too much stuff already. Some of us also found that what we most missed about the gym, churches and other gathering places was the strong sense of community. The rest was just fluff. Even well-rounded exercise was not dependent on the expensive and elaborate gym equipment for most of us.
Perhaps if we are honest we find that although we are concerned for and about those without jobs or the means to take of their families, we have created an economic system which is dependent on unsatisfying jobs creating products which marketing people convince us we need. Our stuff then requires larger houses and/or storage facilities, insurance, and a host of industries which would not be needed if we had time to breathe and enjoy loving and taking care of each other.
Perhaps the visit of Covid-19 could be a time to explore what brings us long term contentment; what honors what is best about who we are as humans.
Spiritual growth offers the opportunity to be honest about what our day-to-day actions say about what we consider valuable. No matter what we say, perhaps our closets, basements, garages, attics and even our kitchen pantries tell us what we consider important.
Honestly is an essential practice of spiritual growth. It is a never-ending process which requires what the theologian Soren Kierkegaard described as a leap of faith.
Written May 17, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
o edit.
Although in courts in the United States one might swear or promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, truth is almost always formulated from the perspective of the narrator. As narrators we have an objective and must, therefore, tailor the truth to serve the objective. Often this objective is hidden from our consciousness. We may, for example tell ourselves that our objective is to tell the whole truth but convince ourselves that certain details are not relevant. in testifying in a court of law each side will attempt to elicit a truth which is favorable to their side of the case.
Since the arrival of the visit of covid-19 many around the world have been “sheltering in place” with access to only essential services such as food (for some and not for others), gas, utilities, internet, cable television, limited medical care, office supply stores and depending on where one lived, certain other services such as building and home supply stores. Restaurants, malls, movie theaters, department stores, bars, beauty shops/barber, and a host of other non-essential businesses have been closed. One could still order on line from many businesses or a few would allow one to order ahead and pick up items from a service person outside an establishment.
Many have been off work or working from home. Home closets and dressers have been emptied of much of their belongings.
Attics basements and garages have gladly given up many of the treasures. Some of us did shop at home supply stores such as Lowe’s for material to complete home projects such as new flooring or a new coat of paint. Some of us resumed returned to making bread and more elaborate meals while some took advantage of take out services.
Many of us have been reexamining what is essential. Obviously, for those of us that continued to have an income, all the basics of food, basic clothing, housing, utilities and apps such as Zoom which along with phones allows us to stay in close touch with others, it was relatively easy to use the time to reassess what is essential in this very brief life journey. Often, we found that although we missed seeing friends face of face – sans masks - cultural events, visiting the library or book stores, and gyms, if truth be told, we did not miss all the non-essential services which are such a core part of the economy. For many of us, if we were honest, we found we had too much stuff already. Some of us also found that what we most missed about the gym, churches and other gathering places was the strong sense of community. The rest was just fluff. Even well-rounded exercise was not dependent on the expensive and elaborate gym equipment for most of us.
Perhaps if we are honest we find that although we are concerned for and about those without jobs or the means to take of their families, we have created an economic system which is dependent on unsatisfying jobs creating products which marketing people convince us we need. Our stuff then requires larger houses and/or storage facilities, insurance, and a host of industries which would not be needed if we had time to breathe and enjoy loving and taking care of each other.
Perhaps the visit of Covid-19 could be a time to explore what brings us long term contentment; what honors what is best about who we are as humans.
Spiritual growth offers the opportunity to be honest about what our day-to-day actions say about what we consider valuable. No matter what we say, perhaps our closets, basements, garages, attics and even our kitchen pantries tell us what we consider important.
Honestly is an essential practice of spiritual growth. It is a never-ending process which requires what the theologian Soren Kierkegaard described as a leap of faith.
Written May 17, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
o edit.
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