…when it comes to those we love, the select inner circle of our lives,
it is for most of us,
difficult if not impossible to withhold
love is by its very nature giving
unmitigated or unqualified love, strangely enough – isn’t (always) wise,
nor advisable
the lavishing of gifts, provision and favor must be governed
well, forgive me – perhaps it is inappropriate to be so direct…
let me try that again,
it might be a good idea to consider, very carefully – a shrewd course of action toward those in your circle, with regard to their need(s)
the unqualified giving feature of love is observed widely, in many contexts;
take for example – the Christian gospel
a primary tenet of the Christian faith is to be Christ–like…
and to be so, is to be loving
thus, love is put to work with hopes it will solve complex, divisive moral dilemmas
many a controversy has had the love ethic served up in resolution…
it is loving to forgive
it is loving to overlook error
it is loving to tolerate
it is loving to withhold judgment
love is the highest way, the supreme guiding principle
but wait, while the preceding claims might on occasion – even often be true, they are not emphatic nor absolute
to assign to all things love as an elixir, even for apparently good, innocent and worthy intentions – is dishonest…
and can be rightly judged as impoverished, wanting (incomplete) theology
love at the expense of justice and righteousness and truth and obedience is simply catawampus –
.
.
like a hominid with only one leg
.
.
and so the most sure way, the best way – to ruin an otherwise capable and potentially sound human being is to spoil them (rotten) by opening fully the floodgates of donation
.
.
give them stuff, things, comfort, holidays, treats, trips, toys, ease, food and any/all things intended to make them (ostensibly)…happy
.
the one thing, the very thing – that must never be provided,
is the gift of deprivation
for obvious reasons;
it is an effective strategy, for those deficient of comprehension regarding just what it takes (ingredients) to fashion the bonum publicum, to make sure that in all modes (public and private) – never shall there be an instance of deprivation among the populous, the family and the community
when a human is deprived of being deprived, there has been lost – the opportunity to reveal and witness his/her character
dimensions of the creature’s soul remain unformed and inadequate
one of life’s most important exams is deleted, and one remains untested and unproven
the chance to witness a tantrum or noble equanimity is forsaken…
suffice it to say,
as a qualification to these thoughts – it is fairly devastating to remain in sustained deprivation; prolonged, sinister desolation is a tragedy of no small proportion
conversely, the absence of deprivation of any sort is injurious as well – and that is the point of this post
the benefits of deprivation are legion; when the gift is withheld –
so too are the profits
Happy is the man who can endure the highest and the lowest fortune. He, who has endured such vicissitudes with equanimity, has deprived misfortune of its power
Seneca
food for thought, unless of course you are on a diet…
peace.
Tom
Tagged: character, deprivation, deprived, giving, justice, love, love ethic, ruined, shrewd, spoiled, wise
