Sometimes, particularly when I am being excessively cynical, I am asked just what I actually believe in. Since today I am beginning my forty-eighth year among you, this seems an appropriate time as any to indulge in a little introspection and list-making. So allow me to offer my apologies in advance to both Crash Davis and a marvelous NPR project.
I believe in absolute freedom of self-expression, without limits. I also believe in taking responsibility for your self-expression.
It is possible to hold strong opinions without being an ass, but it’s too much work for most people.
I believe we are born to leave our bodies, and seek transcendence wherever we can find it. Some find it in religion, in the immersive power of art, in pushing physical limits, in technological enhancement, or through altered perception. While achieving that momentary transcendence is good, sometimes the quest is better.
Each person has the potential for greatness, if society doesn’t beat it out of them first.
Similarly, I believe that we are all creative people, but most have been convinced by television that unless you can make a living at it, it doesn’t count.
I believe in strong coffee, real sugar, dark rum, red meat, free love, and butter. I clearly don’t believe in living forever.
The old-style Crayola 64 crayon box with the sharpener on the back is one of the greatest inventions ever, but the 96 crayon box is too much of a good thing.
I believe humanity will never achieve utopia, but failing to try is the greatest crime of all.
I believe we have an obligation to help those less fortunate, and that those who have the most to give should give the most to those who have not.
As clichéd as it may be, I believe in the transformative power of love. However, it isn’t a controllable transformation, so be prepared for the changes.
I do not believe in predestination, although I do believe in destiny. We are inextricably caught up in the movement of the invisible brass clockworks around us, and to understand the mechanics behind the universal tick is to achieve illumination.
Language is the tool that shapes the world. Use your power wisely.
These beliefs have served me well for a few years now. Let’s see if they continue to hold up.
{ 11 comments }
Buh buh buh… What about the designated hitter?
Great stuff. Thanks!
Hope you have a good day!
Here’s to not living forever! I hope you celebrate your birthday with “strong coffee, real sugar, dark rum, red meat, free love, and butter.” To that I would add lively discussion and the company of good friends.
Thank you for sharing your beliefs with all us crazy people on the interwebs, and happy birthday.
Lovely thoughts, beautiffully written. Happy birthday!
I like your beliefs, my friend. Logic trumps all. And, as always, you make good sense.
And happy birthday! Today (Sunday) was my dad’s birthday too – 55 years on this dirt ball for him.
Congratulations for having been born on José MartÒs birthday.
Except for that first clause of your credo (“I believe in absolute freedom of self-expression, without limits”) there is nothing objectionable in it and much to commend.
Happy birthday.
The unintentional humor of Wikipedia never ceases to amaze me: “This article or section seems to contain too many quotations for an encyclopedia entry.”
Um . . . sorry?
Happy Birthday.
I hope you celebrated with dark rum and red meat.
Happy Birthday MKH! Here’s to you and a great credo.
Happy Birthday, Kevin. That was one fine piece of writing. I particularly liked how you worked in the “Last Tango In Paris” allusion about butter and free love and the insight regarding judging the worthiness of creativity against a money meter. Well said.
I missed that allusion (and your birthday, unfortunately), but I loved this post. I wonder if one can be an idealist and a cynic at the same time – seeing the best possibilities in people, even as you observe their cruddy realities. If so, I think you qualify, and I hope that comes off as a compliment!