The Irony and Beauty of Being Human Sometimes we ask the question, is the human being a species doomed to self destruction? Matthew Fox, founder of Creation Spirituality, describes the human as such: The Human became a gift but also a menace. For its powers of creativity were unique in their potential for destruction or healing. How would humans use these gifts? Which direction would they choose? The earth is still waiting. Trembling to see if humanity was gift or curse. Indeed, the times we have now urges all humanity for a clear and definitive answer—for the health of our planet, our species and all sentient beings. Yet despite the darkness of our world, we can still be proud of the transcendent and courageous human spirit who have braved the odds in our history and made this world a better place. The saints, martyrs, and heroes of our species bear witness that we can conjure the best of what it means to be human and it is within our power to make this world a better place—to reinvent and recreate the world and refashion it according to our highest ideals. JRR Tolkien, in his book “The Silmarlillion” describes how elves characterize the human and i quote, “The Atani (human) has the gift to seek beyond the world and find no rest therein; but they should have a virtue to share their life, amid the powers and chances of the world-of their operation everything should be completed and the world fulfilled unto the last and the smallest. Men would stray often and not use their gifts in harmony—but these too in their time shall find that all that they do redounds at the end to the glory of God’s work.” In my hearts of hearts, i hope that all goes well for our generation and the next.
Sometimes, considering the many problems that beset humanity today, we get overwhelmed and feel helpless and even hopeless. Yet with all the bad things that humanity can do to himself, animals, plants and the planet as a whole, it is still the finest examples of being human that we draw inspiration from. History is filled with examples of human courage, optimism, love, selflessness, martyrdom that inspire us to be our highest selves and bring out the divinity in us. There is a beautiful mystery and transcendent force that lie hidden in the human story and the drama of being alive. Thomas Jeffers has this poem to share: For the Essence and the End…Of his labor is beauty….For goodness and evil are two things but variant…As of goodness and evil…as of light and darkness are one….One beauty….the rythm of the Wheel…And he who beholds it is happy…and will praise it to the people.
