What Monty Python forgot to teach us about the Meaning of Life

We were recently watching the captivating 1946 film The Razor's Edge when I came to an interesting realization. It came during an early scene in the movie.

Picture this......

It is right after World War I and the characters are all gathered at some "blue blood" country club. A few older and established people are surrounded by a group of gregarious young adults fresh from the excitement of war and college. The conversation centers on plans, positions, and who is going to arrange for so and so to get the nice position with the firm down town. Most of characters anxiously talk about the status, money, and sense of accomplishment that their new positions will offer. But there is one holdout, Larry Darrell, who seems to swim against the current. He is more concerned with deeper meanings and answers to life's questions, primarily why he his life was saved during the war and why his friend's life was taken. It is discovered that he turned down a perfectly good position in order to go to France and seek out his answers. Everyone else, particularly the older establishment, is shocked at his supposed irresponsibility and brashness in turning down such a lifestyle.

The movie spans several years and follows several characters. In the end Larry experiences the greatest calm and satisfaction while the others experience several ups and downs due to their lifestyles and materialism. At the end of the day position, money, and status did little to quench the human yearnings that all of us face.

Back to the present....

This is a scene that has probably played out in our very lives. Sometimes we fail to determine what things really do lead to the most fulfillment. Do we equate the safe job in the accepted community as the ultimate end to our quest or is there more? Where does the family fit into the entire quest for personal satisfaction? Do we short change ourselves by falling in line with societies expectations for our lives? What happens whenthe expectations of our community and own own personal ambitions don't align? Meaty questions indeed.

That scene stuck with me through most of the weekend. As I continued to mull over my satisfaction with my own life I recalled a book that I had recently read. It is titled the "Eight Pillars of Greek Wisdom" and I think I picked it up off the super, heavily discounted rack at the local bookstore. The author attempts to summarize the collective wisdom of ancient Greek thought into eight simple principles or truths.

I will share these principles. You can decide what role that they should play in your life. You can decide how important they are to you.

1. Humanism- The whole notion that humans have divine qualities. The fact that in Greek mythology the humans and Gods are so interdependent demonstrates their prevalent belief that human kind has incredible potential. Carpe diem man.
   
2. Pursuit of Excellence- A no brainer coming from the guys that gave us the Olympics. This principle goes hand in hand with #1. We have incredible capacity therefore everyday should be spent pushing ourselves to new heights.
   
3. Moderation- The fact that the phrase "Nothing in excess" was inscribed on the sacred sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi tells us of the importance that Ancient Greece placed upon this principle. We can see the wisdom of this idea today by simply looking around. Alcoholism, Addiction, Greed, Jingoism, Fanaticism, and Vanity are just a few of the dirty by-products of somewhat normal and noble things taken to the far extreme.
   
4. Self-Knowledge- Have you ever watched an episode of "American Idol" and seen one of those delusional kids trying to sing a pop song four keys and a pitch away from where it should be only to get blindsided by Mr. Simon Cowell's brutal honesty? While self-confidence is important it is downright unhelpful if it isn't tempered with a little self awareness. I do myself no favors by thinking that I have a realistic shot at becoming a cornerback for the Cowboys. Take stock of your strengths and weaknesses and focus on those things that you are good at.
   
5. Rationalism- You got to hand it to the Greeks, they gave us both passion and reason. Let us all learn from Athena's example and govern our decisions with sound reason and fact.
   
6. Restless Curiosity- Remember when you were a kid and anything was possible? I remember drafting a blueprint of my dream house, build a tunnel village in the backyard, writing a Congressman, and dredging for Gold all before the age of eight. Unfortunately age usually dulls that zeal by convincing us that it's just to difficult or impractical. To that the Greeks say get off your stupid couch and take notice of the world around you. Read a book on a new subject or try something new. They would definitely be strong proponents of our "Yes" list.
   
7. Love of Freedom- We need to be free to think and act for ourselves. None of the preceding virtues would really be possible if were not free to pursue them in our own ways. Freedom is one of the core values of the "American" way of life and many would argue the reason for why became great.
8. Individualism- The Greeks were the first to teach that the individual had power and worth, that the individual wasn't a subservient pawn in the hands of the state. To that end you should pursue your passions and interests, be true to thyself my friend.

These are incredible ideas. You've probably heard them in some form or another at a seminar or "self help" book. But they hold true. And when properly applied they help make our decisions more meaningful. Because it's one thing to become a doctor because of the status and income but it's something fully different to become one because it represents your passions and desire to help others. Because at the end of the day fulfillment comes not from a bank account or social standing but from a life lived with meaning.