Starting school next week does not sound all that appealing to me. Though for different reasons, I remember dreading going to school first term as well; and yet I actually ended up enjoying it. I hope I have such luck this upcoming term.
Speaking of school, I find it so interesting that, in spite of having less friends, in spite of paying thousands of dollars to attend and in spite of classes being more difficult, college is so much more enjoyable than high school. After thinking about it for awhile, I've come to the conclusion that, at least for me, the enjoying stems from one root--and that is freedom. Coming and going as I please, not being micromanaged as much and choosing more of the classes I want to take are all mere manifestations of this increased freedom. Such importance there is in freedom! When used appropriately, correctly and prudently, how extensively it can brighten a circumstance that would otherwise be bleak.
But what opposition there is in our agency! Where much joy, goodness and peace may resound, there is also much lamentation, deterioration and contention. To think that the consequences of cold men crashing humans into skyscrapers can be traced to the same thing that the consequences of a heroic man risking his life to save lives is completely valid, yet completely mind-boggling.
However, maybe it's the stark difference in the outcomes of freedom that make us better appreciate it. After having six days of sunshine and then having a seventh, would you be as overjoyed on that seventh day as you would be if you had six days of rain, thunder and lightening and then the next day had sun? The negative outcomes of freedom should evoke in us a feeling of gratitude for the positive outcomes of choices and cause us to fix in ourselves a determination to hold fast to our freedom, whilst shunning that which would seek to destroy our agency, or even another's agency (whether that be an evasive government, drugs, murder, etc.).
So everything is made more beautiful because of freedom; even things that seem to have good intention behind it (such as high school) can be made more dull or worthless or evil when freedom is chiseled or altogether blown.
I think this thought goes along quite well with what you have expressed above regarding freedom and agency.
ReplyDeleteThere must needs be, opposition in all things. Your example of six days of sunshine and how easy it is to appreciate even less the seventh day of sun.
It is really hard to enjoy or even appreciate something as simple as a beautiful sunny day, if you never ever have a day without it. How can one truly understand sorrow, if they have never truly experienced joy?
As it is with all things, as the saying goes, 'into every life a little rain must fall.'
A philosophical question for you: Do you think we should learn to appreciate all the bad things that happen or off days that we have, because we hope or have faith that they are only there to help us truly appreciate all the good days, brighter horizons, and many blessings that we have??
Hm... I'm not sure there is a good answer or not, because in reality it would definitely be difficult.