Not merely to exist...

Life is lived in the tension.

After one semester of college, that is what I have discovered. I know. What a huge philosophical insight...Not really. Anyways, this is what I mean, and I will tell you it, because I think it is important enough for me to write as it is for you to read, and perhaps, through reading, discover something new about yourself, about life. If my life could be a message, I would want it to be a message of self-reflection and self-discovery.

Life is lived in the tension.

After one semester of college, that is what I have learned with certainty. Aristotle also articulated a similar approach to morals as I am approaching to life in general. Aristotle argues that true morality lies between two extremes. For example, between cowardice and rashness there is the correct amount of courage. To take that precept of moderation and the tension arising between differing points of view, life can be understood similarly. Like a pendulum, thoughts and ideas and practices swing back and forth, violently at times, but are at rest in balance. I am not saying that we should balance good and evil, but having a proper understanding of good and evil.

Life is lived in the tension.

As I think more and more about the Bible and this moderate implication for Christians, I think I am discovering more and more of what Christ wanted. He said, "Love one another," and, "Do unto one another as you would have done unto you." And between the Pharisees and the hedonists, there is a crossing of ways. The perfect pattern. And we live searching for that mold, that essence, that life well lived, well examined, well done.

Life is lived in the tension.

We are swinging, sometimes too far one way, other times too far the other, waiting and hoping and trying to get back to the dynamic equilibrium of rest. We live in the tension, the paradox. And I would have it no other way.