Introspection is heavy pt. 2

Yesterday we talked about how every second of your life has led you to this moment in your sociological, psychological, physical, and spiritual development; and that your life continues to decohere into where it was meant to go.

Now, many people will say “Great! All chocolate all the time!” and just go ape sh*t with hedonism. That’s not where I’m going with all this.

Back to the “Go” illustration – a player has choices as to where to place his or her piece. At the beginning of the game, the possible places to put the first move are limitless, but as the borders begin to form in the game, the choices of moves becomes more restricted, with some options being better or worse.

This is where the “wisdom” of living life comes in. Sure, a Go player could just throw down anywhere on the board, but his or her opponent will quickly win. The player’s life will be very short, with few peices to show for it. Now, with more “wise” playing, the player engages his or her opponent blow for blow and follows the path of the game all the way to the end. Even if, ultimately, the player loses, the fact that the game was played well will make it evenly-matched.

A choice we all have to make every day is this: “Am I going to be a force for good or evil in the world?” Heavy, I know, but each choice we make when interacting with others has its root in this question. For all the varied possibilities and colors of the world, our existence furthers goodness or malice – with love or with hate, as a white or black piece in the Go game.

In living, our acts either usher in more love, compassion and understanding into the lives of those around us, or instead bring impatience, irritation, anger, and selfishness.

I’m in the military, in a crummy part of the world, working for nincompoops. I can either wallow in my situation, sit in the mud and cry and cry, or I can make something of it. I can work hard, if for no one else then God himself. I can keep my snide little comments to myself when something ridiculous comes down from on high. When so-and-so needs help with college classes after a long day, I can say “sure” and go help, instead of saying “no thanks” and heading off to surf the web. I can honestly be happy to talk to someone. I can apply my traits and talents to do my job well and make it easier for someone else.

Now I’m hardly a saint at this crap, I’m just saying there’s wisdom in restoring others and folly in tearing people down.

In Go, groups of pieces can be captured and turned from white to black if surrounded. But, inversely, black pieces can be turned white if surrounded. There’s opportunity for both.

It’s a choice of where to put the pieces.

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