By Fr. Tony Baron
I was going to title this blog, “The Good Life.” But I realized quite quickly that the good life, for most of the world, is often defined by personal wealth or at least, ease of living. The theologian in me also remembered the Gospel account of Jesus saying, “No one is good except God alone.” So on monetary and moral grounds, I decided to entitle this blog “The Beautiful Life.”
I have always been interested in living the beautiful life. Now, you might be saying, “Tony has really lost it this time. All he wants to do is dance in the tulips, smell the flowers, sing “Kumbaya” with total strangers, and make sure he has completed everything on his “bucket” list. We are really going to miss him.” Well, maybe I have lost it or maybe I haven’t, – but I am definitely not telling! Besides dancing, singing, and smelling the aromas of life have to be part of living the beautiful life.
What does the beautiful life look like for me? Before I share what I think it is, I certainly know what it is not. The beautiful life is not judgment, anger, fear, retaliation, pride, worry, lust, distrust, busyness, acquiring power, or protecting power. The beautiful life doesn’t compare self with others, doesn’t compete for others’ adulation, and doesn’t keep hidden agendas and long lasting grudges.
It seems to me that the beautiful life must include a lot of laughter. Not laughter filled with angry sarcasm, but laughter filled with something truly funny or touching. People living the beautiful life see humor in many things, including enjoyment of laughing at themselves. Yes, a beautiful life has to include laughter.
It seems to me that the beautiful life must also include crying. Tears come easily in the beautiful life. A beautiful life is touched deeply when there is human hurt, a tender word, or a long embrace.
A beautiful life must also include joy and happiness. Not the kind of happiness that brings temporary pleasure, but a real and lasting kind. I am reminded what C.S. Lewis wrote, “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” Therefore, a beautiful life must include soul training with the first lesson to learn being is that you don’t have a soul, but you are a soul!
A beautiful life must also include learning and connecting. Learning about life, people, and facts through books and experiences is to me a beautiful life. A beautiful life must be aware that we are all connected, knowing that we must not harm or exploit others because we will be only harming and exploiting ourselves.
A beautiful life is loving and being loved. A beautiful life needs a community, especially a small one that not only knows your name but bears your name. A beautiful life is filled with wonder and play. Someone living a beautiful life loves his or her work, for it is a vocation and a passion. A beautiful life must enjoy moderation and boundaries. A beautiful life is filled with the classic virtues of faith, hope, and love.
A beautiful life is . . . well, you know. You really do. I want to invite you to share with me what a beautiful life is to you. You can write me back on the blog or email me, Fr. Tony Baron at tbaron@dtwc.com. After all, everyone I have ever met really does want a beautiful life.