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| The Chief End of ManFor quite some time, I've been meaning to write about this remarkable Thoreau excerpt. Most of us have encountered the "I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life" but there's a thumbing of the nose at reformed Christians at the end of the passage!
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartanlike as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if proved to be mean, why then get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. For most men, it appears to me, are in a strange uncertainty about it, whether it is of the devil or of God, and have somewhat hastily concluded that it is the chief end of man here to 'glorify God and enjoy him forever.'
~Henry David Thoreau, Walden, published 1854
Q: What is the chief end of man [i.e., man's primary purpose]?
A: Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.
~Westminster Shorter Catechism, 1647
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| Midday MusingsIt's been a while...
So much has happened, so much to say.
New job (though not by choice). New life lessons.
But what I want to write about is the remarkable experience I am having sitting outdoors in Suburban Square plaza. What's remarkable is being in an unhurried state, as autumn leaves fall nonchalantly around me, and wisps of clouds sail quietly overhead. Thankful for this moment of transience and permanence. | | |
| Ad Astra Per AsperaIn an hour's time tonight, teacher-astronaut Barbara Morgan will join the crew of the shuttle Endeavor on the latest mission into space. Barbara will fulfill a dream over 22 years in the making. As some of you may recall, Christa McAuliffe was to be the first teacher in space back in 1986, but that mission ended in a tragic explosion. I vividly recall that day. My 6th grade teacher walked into our classroom and was anxiously fretting with her fingers while she got our attention. "Children," she said, "I have some terrible news..." I recall walking alone at recess that day, anxiously praying that God would somehow keep that crew safe. Their deaths didn't hit me until I saw the evening news for myself Barbara was the back-up teacher candidate to Christa 22 years ago. They became friends. Despite that tragedy in 1986, Barbara has not wavered in her passion for space exploration. She became NASA's ambassador to teachers and students and, in 1998, joined the astronaut corps when an effort was made again to send a teacher into space. She was scheduled to launch in the fall of 2001, until Columbia's tragic demise derailed plans. Despite the risks, Barbara remains committed to her dream, and possibly to see her friend Christa's mission accomplished. I don't know how I missed this story until today, since I'm "plugged in" to so many news sources. I don't know why I got so emotional reading about Barbara's story and why I'm still emotional writing this post. Perhaps I'm 11-years old again, heartache and unfulfilled hopes now projected onto Barbara as she slips "'the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God." Godspeed, Barbara. Godspeed, Endeavor. | | |
| Matters of Life and DeathSince my last entry, "Fix You" seems to have entrenched itself as my personal soundtrack for the past two months. While much has transpired, matters of life and death are what my heart and mind are dwelling on as of late. A couple of my friends gave birth recently, joyous occasions of celebration. In contrast, my college roommate recently passed away, an occasion for mourning. While the occasion has come and gone, the mourning remains. My heart remains heavy. In lieu of tears, quiet sighs of unarticulated yearnings. I remember my friend, Bernie. | | |
| "Fix You"A song took a hold of me today.
A song of mourning
A song of hope
A song of reverberation and resonance,
heart chords rising heavenward
from this cathedral of life
Lyrics and melody
Bringing each other to life
Giving voice to silent tears, silent needs
And,
Amid the darkness,
Rays of light
Coldplay - Fix You lyrics
When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
When the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
High up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
If you never try you'll never know
Just watch and learn
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I...
Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I...
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you | | |
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