“Is a life most virtuously spent working for the betterment of
humanity, or is it enough to have some fun, do some work, love a few people and
try to be good?”
This is the question Rose Curtland
posed in The Book and the Brotherhood. My family has debated this
question off and on for some 25 years. It's been an interesting insight into
each other's opinions, core values, and personality traits. My writing buddy
and I took up the assignment recently, putting forth an argument for the answer
we believed to be the most virtuous way to approach life.
The question implies that there are
only two answers. But when I began the writing assignment (50 words or
less….ouch!!), I noticed for the first time that the question is neither mutually
exclusive nor mutually inclusive. A life can certainly be
called virtuous when lived for the betterment of humanity. But a life can also
be called virtuous just as truthfully when someone "meets
expectations."
I understand the premise. We should
not squander our singularly greatest gift: the uniqueness that is each of
us, embodied in a corporal shell--our soul's home here on Earth for some
undetermined number of days. But who gets to define "virtuously
spent?" Who gets to decide if it is “enough?” Will we trade papers? You
grade my life and I'll grade yours?
I
believe the question itself is fallacious. All paths, if lived
genuinely, have the possibility of leading to the same goal. Simple,
unremarkable lives might not make headlines, but that has never been the litmus
test for a life’s potential for influence.
So the answer to the
question above is Yes. All of the Above. One answer does not preclude the other, and there
are no “wrong” answers, except no answer at all.
When I leave this realm, I can
honestly say I’ve had some fun, which I have tried to share with others. I’ve enjoyed
meaningful work, which I did competently and with respect for those with whom I
interacted. I’ve loved a few people, and I am hopeful my feelings helped them
on their path to becoming who they are. I’ve tried to be good by making honest,
rational and caring decisions, keeping in mind we are all on this ride
together. Will I have "bettered" humanity? Maybe not. But I'm not grading the papers. None of us is, Rose, not even you.
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