Psychological studies reveal that Americans live in less than forty percent awareness, as though our minds and spirits cringe before the banality and ugliness of national life. Such studies imply an enormous waste of potential lost to trivial pursuits - game-playing, fantasizing, daydreaming, television, self-pity, brooding, boredom, gluttony in food or drink. Lost is the prospect of personal and social renewal, reading, study, meditation, prayer, teaching, service to the poor, justice, peacemaking, and non-violent resistance to power-mongering government and corporations. The scripture likens such crippled attentiveness to death - death before one dies.
~Philip Berrigan
5 comments:
I am gravely indicted by Berrigan's statement. Food for thought.
Wow. This is blowing my mind. thanks.
I, too, suffer from wasted potential, and have been contemplating how to incorporate more "action" in my life. Thanks for the nudge.
40%? whoa - that is a scary thought - what a waste of our giftedness....sigh....guess i'll go play some solitaire now........
"Such studies imply an enormous waste of potential lost to trivial pursuits - game-playing, fantasizing, daydreaming, television, self-pity, brooding, boredom, gluttony in food or drink."
Day dreaming and fantasizing are essential to creativity. I think we need to beware of insisting that every moment be visibly productive. Can't think of anything more renewing than some time in a hammock watching the clouds go by.
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