Formulas for Living

"I do not accept any absolute formulas for living. No preconceived code can see ahead to everything that can happen in a man's life. As we live, we grow and our beliefs change. They must change. So I think we should live with this constant discovery. We should be open to this adventure in heightened awareness of living. We should stake our whole existence on our willingness to explore and experience."

- Martin Buber


I can't help but think that my choosing to write a response to this quote is a bit of a cop-out on my part. The words of Mr. Buber speak very loudly to me. In many ways this quote summarizes my philosophy on life.

Granted, I wasn't always in-line with this type of thinking. For many years I was of the mind that what I believed was right, that I was right, and that anyone else that wasn't of the same mind was wrong. As one might imagine, this was mostly during my high school years, which is a time in every male's life where they are quite positive that they are invincible. Especially when it comes to their beliefs. Luckily, like most phases in life, this too came to pass, at least for me.

I've often commented on how I feel more like an observer of humanity than an active participant in it, and I can acknowledge that much of that position is the result of my own actions; nevertheless, it has afforded me the opportunity to learn from afar, to gain greater understanding from others without having the pain and hardships that often accompany lessons learned. It was from this that I began to see that my steadfastness was perhaps more the result of stubborness and pride than any actual conviction.

There's nothing like watching an idiot whole-heartedly defend a position only an idiot would believe in to teach you to question the strength of your own convictions.

Enter Bruce Lee.

Bruce Lee has always been a hero of mine, on so many levels. As a matter of fact I have an old Bruce Lee T-shirt that I bought when I was in High School. I don't wear it anymore. I wore it so often that it was starting to wear out. I still have it though, tucked away in a drawer in my dresser. Maybe it's sitting there, waiting for me to find true love, to find that truly righteous babe that will one day be rifling through my stuff (with my permission, of course) and come across said shirt, which will lead her to ask: "hey Googlely-Bear (that's what she calls me), is it cool if I wear this as a sleep shirt?" To which I will reply, "Shmoopsie-poo (that's what I call her).... I'd be honored." Undoubtedly leading her to say, "You are so a nerd." Then I'll say "And you so love me." Then she'll jump into my arms and we'll make sweet, sweet love next my collection of Oscars, Pullitzers, and autographed photo of me and George Lucas dressed as Princess Leia. Shut up, it's my fantasy.

Why did I just tell you that? Because a chick wearing your t-shirt: hot. Chick wearing your Bruce Lee t-shirt: super-hot. Why? Because Bruce Lee is amazing.

Among the many, many things that rocked about Bruce Lee was his common use of the water metaphor. Whether refering to fighting, or life in general, he always advised: be like water. Water is both nuturing and destructive. It can be hard and powerful, it can be fluid and gentle. It's the flexible dynamic of water that we should try to emulate. And that doesn't even begin to touch on the unique chemical characteristics of that wacky mickey-mouse shaped molecule that easily fit into the metaphor.

So, I have tried to live my life as "water." In my opinion, one almost has to be open to change. Life is nothing but change. What is reality? I would posit that it's nothing more than the sensory perception of change.

This really gets to the idea of the "Sociology of Knowledge." Afterall, isn't knowledge really just that which is perceived to be true? The Sun is not the center of the Universe. The Earth is not flat. Halle Berry is not a good actress.

So if anything we know is at risk to be proven false at a moments notice, then why would one cling to them so tightly? Well, I know why, but I've already rambled too much, so I'd like to focus on the idea that it is possible to live in a world of "constant discovery" and not just be a big ol' waffling wimp. You can have beliefs, feelings, convinction, stances. And you can defend them, quite possibly even to the point of death, all I ask, hell, all I recommend, is that you keep your mind open. Be willing to listen, and be willing to learn. It's okay to question things on your own, too. Self-discovery is an amazing, fulfilling journey. Don't deny yourself the chance to take it.