To live by

In the LDS church we study the life and teachings of a different prophet each year. This year we're studying George Albert Smith, and the manual begins with his impressive list of 11 ideals he sought to live by. I was so impressed by his list and by his conviction and insight. In a class I'm taking we're studying a lot about the twentieth century, which is unfortunately the century of the world wars, dictatorships, and broken families, constructs, and people. The traditions, beliefs, and value systems of ever-before were inept when it came to treating the broken of WWII especially, but all the residual wars. We just finished reading The English Patient, which encapsulates all of these issues beautifully and hauntingly. All of the characters are suffering from what would later be identified and treated as post-traumatic stress syndrome. We discussed its treatment, and our teacher explained that the road--presented again in a list like President Smith's--to recovery has been marked by these key aims and eventual characteristics:

-few illusions
-deliberate reattachment
-laughter
-celebrate life
-unaffected generosity
-thanksgiving
-"one day at a time"

I do not pretend to be understanding any victim of PTSD, nor anyone who has suffered incredible, personal trauma. Identifying reading is a great mistake in society today; if the reader cuts out differences between herself and the characters of a narrative, she is simplifying and marginalizing them in order to make them match herself. Imposing herself or cutting in to a narrative does gross violence to it, disfiguring it and leaving the reader having learned nothing. Understanding is not the job, but rather respectful listening is the greatest gift any one can give to the grieving, to the hurt, to the sorrowful.

Tangent.

Still, while we discussed this list, it was profound to me that it could help anyone, with any sorrow, great or small (though perhaps always great to them, in that time), inside or without. We discussed how generosity, especially, levels the field of things we cannot control--it draws people to us, creates a support system, gives us peace. These lists are mini-manifestos; they made me consider what ideals I esteem, respect, and observe in my life.

They make me want to be actively engaged in the creation of my own happiness.