24 April, 2007 - Jaded vs Child-like innocence

Excerpts from Sophie's World...

"The world itself has become a habit in no time at all. It seems as if in the process of growing up we lose the ability to wonder about the world. And in doing so, we lose something central-something philosophers try to restore. For somewhere inside ourselves, something tells us that life is a huge mystery. This is something we once experienced, long before we learned to think the thought.

To be more precise: Although philosophical questions concern us all, we do not all become philosophers. For various reasons most people get so caught up in everyday affairs that their astonishment at the world gets pushed into the background. (They crawl deep into the rabbit's fur, snuggle down comfortably, and stay there for the rest of their lives.)

To children, the world and everything in it is new, something that gives rise to astonishment. It is not like that for adults. Most adults accept the world as a matter of course.

This is precisely where philosophers are a notable exception. A philosopher never quite get used to the world. To him or her, the world continues to seem a bit unreasonable-bewildering, even enigmatic. Philosophers and small children thus have an important faculty in common. You might say a philosopher remains as thin-skinned as a child.

Are you a child who has not yet become world-weary? Or are you a philosopher who will vow never to become so? If you just shake your head, not recognising yourself as either a child or a philosopher, then you have gotten so used to the world that it no longer astonishes you. Watch out! You are on thin ice. Do not join the ranks of the apathetic and the indifferent. Have an inquiring mind."

How many of us have become so jaded in life that all that matters is to keep everything in place...get good grades, get a good job, get a good spouse, surround ourselves with frens, get a good car, get a good roof over our heads...almost everything revolves around me, myself and I. Is there more to life? Is there something not uncovered? Is it strange to want to find our "self"...if we have lost it unconsciously...or is it better and easier to just live life as it is...without questioning...without doubting...without challenging...

Anyway i think the essence of life is when you are doing something you are truly happy in...as a matter of fact, sometimes serving others is a great source of happiness.

Waitress - Serving customers with a smile and getting back thanks is enough to bright up any dull day.

Voluntary work - Being of help to others makes us feel useful and seeing the smile on the faces of those in need of help warms our heart

Customer service - When your customers say thanks from the bottom of their heart and you feel they mean it

Everything that happens in life is a lesson to be learnt...as long as we remain true to ourself and be in touch with our emotions. Then we will never lose sight of our dreams, our beliefs and ourselves ;)

Move it gal...i must not lose sight of my dreams!!!