2023-05-06
These are momentous times, we have lived through momentous times, and more momentous times seem to beckon - so how do we cope with all this momentousness?
We probably all have our own default reactions, with some blanking them out and continuing with life as far as possible as normal, some becoming rebellious and even contentious, and some introverting to analyse exactly what we are feeling, why we are feeling it, and how we are reacting.
As an introvert myself, I belong in the last group. So it would appear does Martin Geddes, whose latest reflections on his journey he has generously shared with us. I think he's a brave man - I wouldn't like to bare my soul to the public quite this way - but marriage makes one more circumspect since others would be affected, and it would be inappropriate unfair and unnecessary to open too much to public scrutiny.
But I relate to his philosophical leanings. I have learned to accept myself as I am with all my imperfections and strengths, such as they are. I have always taken the view that no matter whether I was at fault for some unwanted event or not, the constructive approach is to consider how I could have behaved differently to avoid or mitigate the result. I can commend that approach as it has served me well. We can't solve all our imperfections at once, but we can chip away at them over time and the important thing is to learn our own personal lessons from our experiences, yet not get caught up in them and held back.
Secondly it's important to recognise that what's done is done and there's no point in continuing to beat ourselves up over it - it's the present that makes the future, so act accordingly.
Does this make us "sovereign beings"? It isn't sufficient, but I reckon it's a good starting point.
