There are different ways in which almost anything can be perceived. They are true in the contexts in which they are cast, but must be evaluated for their usefulness in the context in point. Some contexts are neutral. The thermometer registers 120 degrees. Is that hot? No, says the natural scientist, it is 120 degrees. It is a neutral matter registering a fact of nature. There is, on Route I-15 out of Los Angeles, on the way to Las Vegas the little town of Baker. Baker’s reputation is that it is a hot spot in California. (It is more likely that it is hotter in Death Valley on the same day.) There is a large elevated thermometer in Baker, visible from the well-traveled Interstate. Persons driving by may stop, not only for fuel, but to get a closer look at the thermometer. One person may say to a companion: It’s hot! The companion in a bow to objectivity might reply: No, it’s120 degrees Fahrenheit. In Antarctica the explorer records a forty degree below zero temperature Fahrenheit. If penguins could communicate they would say: The weather’s just right. Baker is very cool if we focus on the nature of the Sun, and Antarctica seems impossible. Practical human beings know only that if subjected to a constant heat or cold on a narrow spectrum of measurement, they will be uncomfortable, perhaps die. Hot and cold for most persons are measured by their tolerances in a narrow range of measurement, and what they need for usefulness and survival. Not only intellect, but emotions enter the scenario to determine truth and fiction for them. The pattern works in many contexts that include life as a factor. The pattern even works for plant life. Roses are not a part of penguin life.
The point is that life is the central factor, not the laws of nature. Life is in nature, sometimes benefitted by it, and sometimes cursed by it. The secret, of course, is to adapt to unchanging (perhaps slow changing) laws of nature so to survive and live. No natural living thing can survive without nature, but must learn to manage in a kind of competition with nature. Nature offers 120 degrees, neither good nor ill, until for life the living determine whether it is good or ill. Heat is good for preparing food, but heat quickly spoils the food prepared. Life can be swallowed up in its dependence on nature, but life can flourish in nature if nature is managed. Much of the time factor afforded mankind is devoted to meeting that inescapable challenge. Currently we are trying to find out how human life can survive in the depletion of nature’s resources, and the negative influence that human beings can impose on nature. Life and nature were meant to be friends, perhaps improving each other in their meaning. Both can be murderous, and both friendly.
When asked about life, aging, satisfaction even to happiness, the responses of aged persons in 2012 were rather simple, largely repetitive, varying in degrees accounted for in the differences in persons related to health, family, work and attitude. The gender differences were not significant, and most of the responses related in some way to the acceptance of self and nature. There was little reference to what so many give their lives to in their most active years – independence, materialism/wealth, recognition and comfort. Repeated words were, in summary: Long and good marriages; Laughter and fun things; Avoid junk foods; Treat as you would be treated; Love what you do (loving your work means it isn’t work); don’t follow bad habits (smoking and drinking were the most mentioned); Look into self/soul; Help people; Eat right (try prunes); Keep busy, have friends, and a good appetite; Carry responsibility; Sleep well and find how to enjoy life; Take a day at a time; Find some newness in life; Be positive, even with negative personalities; Be physically active; Have purpose and plans; Enjoy life in children; and, Trust God (you don’t know when it’s coming, but it’s coming – death). The oldsters commonly made New Year’s Resolutions on the weaknesses they perceived they wanted to correct like: Stop smoking; Stop drinking; Stop procrastinating; Lose weight; and, Spend less. The factors named and implied relate to the living of life. What does all this tell us about finding life satisfaction, and resting in a glow of long life? Rather little sophistication appears in answers. It suggests that the achievement of personal satisfaction, even in the deepening shadows of the end of life, that life itself is the issue. What may be done to make us satisfied with life? Life is achieved invisibly with a high level of values that are held and practiced. Little wonder that persons holding to biblical values live longest among us – perhaps also the happiest. It is notable that those who practice biblical counsel seem to be gratified with what it does for them. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020