Resolutions for a Life Worth Living: Attainable Aspirations Inspired by Great Humans of the Past

Resolutions for a Life Worth Living: Attainable Aspirations Inspired by Great Humans of the Past

If we abide by the common definition of philosophy as the love of wisdom, and if Montaigne was right — he was — that philosophy is the art of learning to die, then living wisely is the art of learning how you will wish to have lived. We will lose everything we love, including our lives — so we might as well love without fear, for to fear a certainty is wasted energy that syphons life of aliveness. In their fear of death, those living fear life itself, a life that is doomed to die… The mode in which life knows and perceives itself is worry. Thus the object of fear comes to be fear itself. Even if we should assume that there is nothing to fear, that death is no evil, the fact of fear (that all living things shun death) remains. Fearlessness is what love seeks. Love as craving is determined by its goal, and this goal is freedom from fear… Such fearlessness exists only in the complete calm that can no longer be shaken by events expected of the future… Hence the only valid tense is the present, the Now.

Viktor Frankl, a renowned psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, believed that having more music and nature in our lives can bring us closer to fearlessness. In his writings, he expressed the idea that music is not only a profound expression of nature but also a source of meaning in our lives. A century after Nietzsche proclaimed that “without music life would be a mistake” and a century after Walt Whitman observed that music is the profoundest expression of nature, Frankl reminds us of the power of music to bring joy and meaning to our existence. Incorporating more music and nature into our daily lives can help us cultivate fearlessness and live more fully in the present moment.

One of the saddest tendencies in our present culture is an indignant intolerance for the basic humanity of being human. People of the past are harshly judged by the standards of the present, and people of the present are judged by impossible standards of uniform perfection. This harsh judgment prevents us from truly appreciating the kindness and goodness in others. As James Baldwin once said, "The kinder and the more thoughtful a person is, the more kindness he can find in other people." By cultivating kindness and extending it to others, we enrich our own lives and create a more compassionate and understanding world. Kindness is for the soul what health is for the body — something we often take for granted until we no longer have it.

Rachel Carson, an influential environmentalist and author, believed that embracing the loneliness of creative work is essential for true creativity to flourish. Writing, she noted, is a lonely occupation that requires periods of solitude and isolation. Only those who are not afraid of loneliness should aspire to be writers. However, Carson also acknowledged that there are rewards to be found in the creative process. The act of creation is a powerful and transformative experience that allows us to connect with something larger than ourselves. As we immerse ourselves in our creative pursuits, we tap into the universal life and contribute to the collective human experience.

Bertrand Russell, a philosopher and mathematician, emphasized the importance of broadening our perspective as we grow older. He believed that as we age, our interests should become wider and more impersonal, allowing us to merge our individual lives with the universal life. By embracing a broader view of the world and engaging with diverse experiences and ideas, we can enrich our own lives and contribute to the greater good. Russell's philosophy reminds us that our lives are like rivers, starting small but gradually expanding and flowing into the vastness of the universal human experience.

In our quest for a meaningful life, it is crucial to approach reality with a sense of charity and understanding. What we see is not always raw reality but rather our interpretation of it, shaped by our experiences and conditioned worldview. By looking at others with love and resisting the urge to judge, we can foster deeper connections and cultivate a greater understanding of the human experience. As Thich Nhat Hanh said, "Understanding is love's other name." When we prioritize understanding over the desire to be right, we can truly make a positive impact on the lives of others.

As we navigate through life, it is important for us to remember that we have the power to shape our own experiences and find meaning in the present moment. While we may fear the unknown and worry about the future, it is essential to focus on the now. Seneca reminds us that worrying before a crisis occurs is a futile exercise that robs us of our present joy. Instead, we should strive to live in the present and make the most of each moment.

In conclusion, here are three actionable pieces of advice inspired by the wisdom of great humans of the past:

• 1. Incorporate more music and nature into your life. Find joy and meaning in the beauty of the natural world and the power of music to uplift your spirit.

• 2. Cultivate kindness and compassion towards others. Look for the goodness in people and extend kindness to create a more compassionate and understanding world.

• 3. Embrace the loneliness of creative work. Allow yourself periods of solitude and isolation to tap into your creative potential and contribute to the universal human experience.

By following these resolutions and incorporating the insights of great humans of the past into our lives, we can strive to live a life worth living — a life that is fearless, kind, creative, and meaningful.