I got an email a few days ago from Prince Rahman, a friend back in Texas. He and I met through a mutual friend named Daniel Devereaux (another Texas bud) when we were trying to "start a band" back in high school. But that's for another blog. When I can dig up a photo of us, then I'll talk about it.
Was it Will Rogers who said, "I never met a person I didn't like"? Well, whoever said it first, Prince is saying it now. He likes everybody and is an all around happy dude. I recall before one of our band's performances (at a church dance, btw) there was a pretty good spread layed out. Well, while Daniel and I were ashen-faced and on the verge of vomiting from nerves, Prince was surveying the snack table and saying, "Oooh, Nachos!" He dug right in, taking joy from the moment -and not a bit nervous. Prince is a philosopher who practices brotherly kindness and acceptance.
The email from Prince contained a great quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
Life and Love
A life has meaning and value only in so far as love is in it. Furthermore, life is nothing, nothing at all, and has not meaning and value if love is not in it. The worth of a life is measured by how much love it has. Everything else is nothing, nothing at all, totally indifferent, totally unimportant. All the bad things and all the good things about life are unimportant. We are only asked about one thing - whether we have love or not....Life is really not worth living at all without love. However, the whole meaning of life is fulfilled where there is love. In comparison to this love everything else pales into insignificance. What do happiness and unhappiness mean, what do wealth and poverty mean, what does life and death mean where people live in love? They do not know. They do not differentiate. They only know that the sole purpose of happiness as well as unhappiness, poverty as well as wealth, honor as well as disgrace, living at home or abroad, living and dying is to love all the more strongly, purely, fully. It is the one thing beyond all distinctions, before all distinctions, in all distinctions. "Love is as strong as death" (Song of Songs 8:6).
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer - A Testament to Freedom 241
I replied to Prince's email by sharing some thought's I've had for awhile about:
Love vs. Tolerance
I recall thinking about the word "tolerance" when it became widely described as an attitude we should all endeavor to achieve. And don't get me wrong, 'cause I'm not knocking it - it's important and most definitely preferable to "intolerance." It just ends up at the end of the day sounding...well, inadequate. It's not going to be enough. I "tolerate" yappy little dogs. I "tolerate" Packer fans and people who like Celine Dion. Tolerating someone really doesn't sound like you're ready to have your soul moved with charity towards them, and sincerely appreciate them. It just sounds like you're prepared to be in the same room without punching them.
It's like being in a car halfway up a hill. The parking brake is on, and that's good because you're not rolling back down the hill, but neither are you progressing towards the peak. Love is what will help get us there.
To illustrate my point, here are some altered song titles/quotes:
"She Tolerates You, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah"
"All You Need is Tolerance."
"Tolerate thy neighbor as thyself"
"Tolerate Me Tender"
"Addicted to Tolerance"
Ok, you get the idea. I know that love and tolerance are not at cross-purposes. Tolerance is the first step, and a good one. But take another. And another.
Love is something we all need, and something we all need to give. And yes, sometimes it isn't easy - which is why we humans need to practice it.
On a trivial note, I learned how to play 'Don't Stop Believin' by Journey on my guitar a few days ago. You might ask yourself what that has to do with my previous comments. I really love that song, that's what.
Best wishes to all, and to all a good night
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2 comments:
Zack, I really enjoyed your blog. There were lots of great questions to ask yourself, but also it showed different perspectives I hadn't thought of. Thanks for sharing....oh yea, I remember you trying to start your band. One summer while we were in Texas, I remember the song, "JUMP" being played. You were my hero that day, for some odd reason...I have always liked that song, so I thought you guys were the coolest because you could play it. Hopefully you remember what I am talking about. Anyways, have a good night, or day. I thought I would just stop onto your page and leave a comment.
Your good at this blog thing. It's an interesting and entertaining read.
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