"Aspire to live a quiet life, mind your own business, and work with your hands."
This is definitely some of the most wise instruction that we can live by. Not only do I think that the world needs more individuals who feel this way, but I also feel that it would lead us to living healthier and more satisfied lives.
I always enjoy taking something "Biblical" and elaborating in a way that really connects to more than just Christians or the spiritual realm. I think that we have to be willing to grow as humans in an almost separate way, before we can ever grow spiritually. (Regardless of faith) Not that I believe our spirituality is a different aspect of our life, but instead, each aspect of our lives are intertwined, yet may stand alone in regards to cultivation.
If we really pick apart this concept, we are left with three different, yet interwoven, instructions:
1.) Live a quiet life.
2.) Mind your own business.
3.) Work with your hands.
Furthermore, if we really think about how these instructions are connected to one another, I think we begin to see a more satisfying lifestyle. A lifestyle that really allows us to control our lives in a way that modern society easily forgets and gives that control to our friends, neighbors, celebrities, current trends, etc.
Let's think about it...
Live a quiet life. That is almost the complete opposite of what we are constantly being told by media. It seems that living a quiet life is viewed as submissive, weak, etc. However, have you ever tried to keep words inside your mouth, even though you wanted to just scream? It's not easy, and it takes great discipline and strength. When we embark on a more quiet lifestyle, I do not believe that means we give up our willingness or our passion. Instead, I believe that living a quiet life means that we are constantly looking at our priorities, that we speak less and listen more, we learn because we are giving others the chance to teach. With all the positives of living a quiet life, then why do we feel the need to be entertained by one medium or the other? Why?! Well, the answer lies partially in the second portion of instruction...
If I am living a lifestyle that is swamped with caring about others affairs and measuring my own worth to theirs, how would I view myself? Almost every time we measure ourselves to others we are constantly let down by what we "don't have" or "haven't achieved." Instead, if I were living a life in which I kept my thoughts inward and did not constantly measure myself to others and their possessions, I would then begin to see a more positive view of myself. Imagine not having to be involved in the day-to-day drama of the workplace or not experiencing the anxiety of having to measuring up to your friends. Why does that have to be a "dream?" The truth is that is doesn't. Everyday we make conscious decisions to involve ourselves and meddle in business that does not concern us. We feed ourselves off of that drama and we enjoy it! Why?! Well, the answer lies in the third portion of instruction...
Why is working with our hands important? Simply put, it provides us with work or a hobby that can potentially keep us from engaging in the ugliness of drama and gossip. It allows self-expression. It gives our life meaning, as well as promote a healthy relationship within oneself. We find worth by feeling capable. We find worth in the product of our work. Essentially, this work allows us to surpass the shallowness of everyday living by seeking to develop our skills and find our purpose. However, many of us, according to Maslow's Theory of Self-Actualization will never really feel like we have found our purpose. Why?! Well, the answer is simply that we fail to see the importance of the wise instructions.
Having studied both personal and organizational psychology, I appreciate a good theory. Maslow's self-actualization theory is built in a pyramid. We all start at the base of this pyramid and work our way towards self-actualization (the top tier). The tiers are as follows starting from the bottom: physiological (food, water, sleep, etc.), safety (body, employment, resources, etc.), love/belonging (family, friends, affection, intimacy, etc.), esteem (respect, self-esteem, confidence), and self-actualization (passion, creativity, problem-solving, morality).
So why is it that we struggle with making it to the top tier? I believe there are many different answers and contributing factors to the struggle. However, I think it can simply be explained by the fact that the first four tiers involve the "herd" (those who are around you). Those people affect your ability to climb to the next tier in the pyramid. The top tier, self-actualization, revolves solely on the individual. Unfortunately, it seems that is where we struggle the most. We have a hard time being able to be an individual. We are always using the collective to describe ourselves, not the individual.
This conversation on the importance of being an individual can go into many different directions, but for the sake of time, I simply hope that you think about the instructions, think about how your life could improve by simply allowing yourself to be free from the heaviness that comes with living a life that has to be "loud" or by constantly being involved in drama that you could live without. Pick up a hobby, begin to work with your hands, listen, and see what you begin to learn.
Until Next Time,
- H.
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