Well, we don’t have to … learn how to live … as long as we live … but it’s probably a good idea. The advice comes from Seneca in a letter written around 65 CE (making its way to us today via an Oxford University Press translation).
I may not agree with all ideas that are almost 2000 years old — not by a long shot, so many of them are problematic, in so many ways — but I’d like to take a moment with this one. In a blog post that aims to be a three-minute read, good luck (to me) in trying to find a few words to describe what I think I’ve learned (outside of a library as much as inside of one) and what I still need to learn … about living.
ABC and 123 — yes, got that, at least at a reasonably functional level.
How to be a good friend, colleague, neighbour, citizen — not perfect, but a respectable track record.
Unconditional love — thankfully, yes (although I could tap into that to temper my tendency to be more critical than is always useful).
Joie de vivre — I am, fortunately, able to find it (and share it) on most days.
Understanding, navigating and living with the human condition — did I say, “good luck to me” already? Yes, I think I did. There’s clearly work to be done in that department, every day, without exception.
Good luck to us all, together, on that last one, really. Each of us could use it, from time to time, I’m sure.
a few words ... from Montréal 