No surprise, I’m seeking answers from my readings, particularly from Boethius in his Consolation of Philosophy. While I study literature to understand the concepts of good writing just as for the expansion of my rather fenced in vistas and for enjoyment, I am intrigued by philosophical theories that further seek to understand the ways of humanity and the world in which we live. As soon as I can once again resume some formal study, Philosophy is very high on my priorities of learning.
And though this should be more than personal application, I would presume that learning of the mind of mankind both helps one learn oneself, and in its self-referential nature helps one to learn others and accept diversity of thinking as easily as seeing natural instincts and tendencies in us all.
Twice in my life I’ve lost lover, home and employment in a single day; or better said, decision as few events dependent on another’s point of view are made so quickly. All these "goods" in life to which men strive were, as Boethius suggested, false happiness in that they were bound to Fortune as their source. His, under the guise of Philosophy’s, reasoning I can follow, and though it’s not a trait of mine to hold to "easy come, easy go," as a lifestyle, I am more willing to let go of that which has not been earned or comes with strings of dependency attached that are manipulated by another’s fingers.
And, I do not resent the wealth of others, come by honestly or not, as it is not something I have ever felt I had a claim to. My own accumulation of "goods," both material and by means of learning I am less inclined to leave behind or lose so easily, though I do understand that by their nature they are not a guarantee of any sort of happiness except perhaps of temporary space in time. Bad times as well I’ve been accepting of and long held to "This too, shall pass," to get me through, though little things adding up to mountains given time are more likely to render me useless than major catastrophe I’ve found.
Still, I argue Boethius’ point of happiness, that seeking things within the nature of the earth cannot bring happiness and therefore should not be sought (or at least, depended upon), and that punishment for evil brings a greater happiness in that it lessens the evil itself.
I’m getting into Fate and Providence, and Philosophy’s explanation of the justice and order of it all. Interesting too, how replaceable we are. Even as I question my own worth within the whole, I am surprised by what seem to be non-random events. My husband and our close friend Gus are awestruck by the meeting of a woman who looks and acts exactly like me. I wonder now, how random this truly may be.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology