So, I’ve hit 70 and the introspection continues!
In my early years of life I was about understanding my world and finding my own identity in that world. As a youth I was often quiet and I considered myself to be an introvert. I’m not sure my confidence level was high but others around me expected me to be the out-front person for various friendships.
In my middle years, I studied the phenomenon of leadership and administration. Some of those articles and exercises still stick in my mind. A learned introvert can be effective (more than just efficient) in outreach and promotion.
Now, in an older stage of life I enjoy the extroverted activities and have created my own persona that is “me in public”. I have had to come to terms with the reality that all people are many parts. As a youth we were told to be transparent, to be real, to be authentic. Which was translated as – you can only respond to life as a stereotype. When you step outside that box you are being a phony.
Hate to break it to you – people are complex. Responses to various situations will see another “side” of a person.
Having said all this, I want to make something very clear. There is another definition of authentic personhood. Holiness is one term for that. In living in holiness, one lives to the inner core of their being. How that is exhibited may appear different in different situations – but always true to truth.
Our society seeks holiness starting from an inner self – a personal identity. Justice in our society is thus based on many and varied, and often conflicting identities. We have a hard time expecting justice (and actually seeing justice) with such a definition. Wars and rumours of war (figuratively and really) abound.
The best fulfilment of justice (within a society) would be to start with an agreed upon standard – the common good, the ten commandments, the lowest common denominator. Philosophers bring this forward with consistency.
To which I return to the Christian infrastructure as both a convincing avenue to pursue and a fulfilling life to live.
Today’s picture is a gravestone just off 41st and Main in Vancouver. The area is now multicultural and the new graves demonstrate that perspective. At one time, decades ago, the immigrants and local citizenry were also another racial grouping. For all you Mennonites out there – I found a few gravesites with familiar last names. This one gives a good sense of the persons behind the engravings.
