What really matters? What do we really need to know to get through life?

I am stressing "know", here, as in the working knowledge that gets us what
we need and want throughout our lives.

On a more physical level what we 'need' is sufficient food, shelter and
exercise to allow us to sustain our bodily functions over a reasonable
lifetime. It's not unreasonable to hope for reasonable health, unstunted
growth and mental development over a period of say 30 years. It sounds
short, but it's a minimum. Any more of that sort of life is quite a
blessing, any less verges on misfortune or even tragedy.

These physical needs are pretty much the bottom rung of Maslow's famous
(and fairly obvious) hierarchy. And it does depend somewhat on where you
are, of course. If you are sitting under a burning sun in a sandy desert
then water would figure more highly, as would shade, food and some basic
survival information. Alone on the high seas and you'd want all of the
basics, plus a map would be handy.

But survival is more than just the basics. You can get by, or you can make
more of it and leverage your assets. To do this involves some core
knowledge. Whether you get it from me, from your parents, friends or
siblings; or if you just figure it out yourself, no matter: it will make
our lives somewhat brighter.

Firstly, we all die. Corollary, we get one shot at this. You may say,
'Well, derr! As if I didn't know that." Sure, we all know it, but do you
live by it?

You may also believe in reincarnation, or an afterlife. Well and good, but
if you are wrong...let's assume what we see is what we get, and accept for
the moment that we do get just go.

Let's live as though life matters. Instead of lying in the sun turning
brown, or lazing in a chair just being, let's ask ourselves what we are
doing and what we hope to achieve by our actions.

It may be that lying in the sun is exactly right for you. A nice tan may
help us attract a mate, or just make us feel good. It may be that the warm
glow of the sun is boosting our stocks of vitamin D and taking a good rest
is just what we needed to 'recharge'.

It may also be a waste of otherwise productive time and lead to skin cancer
later in life.


Cheers


Rob.