More Than Ourselves The Conversation Wendell Berry has been at the forefront of our thoughts these past few weeks. Today, we take one of his remarks - or observations - that surfaced in last week’s blog a little further. It is easy to live within the narrow confines of our own thoughts, needs, and plans, as if we were the centre of reality. Yet real life - and especially true growth - begins when we realize that we are not alone; that we do not learn on our own how to become better, wiser, and more fully human. To love is rarely a matter of romantic seclusion. Rather, it is the grueling, beautiful awakening to the reality of something - and someone - other than oneself. We are not shaped in a vacuum. The people with whom we live - with all their imperfections and the unexpected burdens they place upon us - often become our finest spiritual guides. Through them, we are slowly liberated from our self-absorption. This interconnectedness extends beyond our fellow human beings. It als...
Meer As Onsself Die Gesprek Wendell Berry is die afgelope paar weke voorop in ons gedagtes. Vandag neem ons een van sy opmerkings of waarnemings wat in verlede week se blog opgeduik het bietjie verder. Ons leef maklik in die eng ruimte van ons eie gedagtes, behoeftes en planne, asof ons die middelpunt van die werklikheid is. Maar werklike lewe - en veral ware groei - begin wanneer ons besef dat ons nie alleen is nie; dat ons nie op ons eie leer hoe om beter, wyser en meer volledig mens te word nie. Om lief te hê is selde ’n romantiese afsondering. Dit is eerder die uitmergelende, pragtige ontwaking dat iets en iemand anders as jouself werklik is. Ons word nie in ’n vakuum gevorm nie. Die mense met wie ons leef - met al hul onvolmaakthede en die onverwagte laste wat hulle op ons lê - word dikwels ons beste geestelike gidse. Deur hulle word ons stadig losgemaak van ons selfbeheptheid. Hierdie verbondenheid strek verder as ons medemens. Dit omvat ook die aarde wat ons dra: daardie o...