I'm rereading a book I read long ago. It's by a physicist and one of my favorites. This time I'm taking away two main points from the book I think the author is making - things are random and humans are not made to understand randomness.
The book opens with a perspective on randomenss that's quite beautiful. The author writes it really well, "the outline of our lives, like the candle's flame, is continuously coaxed in new directions by a variety of random events that, along with our responses, determine our fate." He starts with a story about how his parents may never have met if not for some "chance" event. The story is beautiful and results in me reading this book, but I don't...can't accept his descriptions of events as random.
This last couple weeks for me have been filled with stuff that has ranged the spectrum from unbelievably good to tragic. This last couple weeks included the family getting to be with Moula during ashara and the terrible news of people close passing away. Lots of feelings and words come to mind. A lot of things came together, but never have I felt it was random.
Recent events have forced me to block out distractions and think about what's important and how I got here. It's not an accident; it's not random. Today's experience at masjid helped me see that clearly. A stranger was there to help mumineen when they needed help. He selflesssly helped them. He came to masjid today and saw how many people's lives he touched with his actions. You get what you give Taher whether you see it or you don't.
I disagree with the author's premise that things are just random.
The author's second point that humans are not made to understand randomness. Our brains just aren't wired to understand. The arguements are specific to making decisions and using the available information, but I think the point is more universal.
Humans are not made to understand.
Taher, remember your priorities. Love is part of all the important ones even though love is someting you'll never truly understand.
The book opens with a perspective on randomenss that's quite beautiful. The author writes it really well, "the outline of our lives, like the candle's flame, is continuously coaxed in new directions by a variety of random events that, along with our responses, determine our fate." He starts with a story about how his parents may never have met if not for some "chance" event. The story is beautiful and results in me reading this book, but I don't...can't accept his descriptions of events as random.
This last couple weeks for me have been filled with stuff that has ranged the spectrum from unbelievably good to tragic. This last couple weeks included the family getting to be with Moula during ashara and the terrible news of people close passing away. Lots of feelings and words come to mind. A lot of things came together, but never have I felt it was random.
Recent events have forced me to block out distractions and think about what's important and how I got here. It's not an accident; it's not random. Today's experience at masjid helped me see that clearly. A stranger was there to help mumineen when they needed help. He selflesssly helped them. He came to masjid today and saw how many people's lives he touched with his actions. You get what you give Taher whether you see it or you don't.
I disagree with the author's premise that things are just random.
The author's second point that humans are not made to understand randomness. Our brains just aren't wired to understand. The arguements are specific to making decisions and using the available information, but I think the point is more universal.
Humans are not made to understand.
Taher, remember your priorities. Love is part of all the important ones even though love is someting you'll never truly understand.
Love is all you need :)
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