-Mahatma Gandhi
As the sun sets on the first day of a new year it seems appropriate to begin this record. I do not necessarily intend for others to read its entries; however, by its existence on the ever pervasive Internet it will, perhaps, be seen by others. For those who do take the time to read the contents I sincerely hope that it gives you something to consider.
The title of this Blog, "The Aretaic Journey," comes from a concept I have been dwelling on for some time now and have decided that it is time to stop thinking about it and try and put it into practice. Arete comes from the Ancient Greek word ἀρετή which is commonly translated as "Virtue" or "Excellence" but has a closer definition to "being the best you can be", or "reaching your highest human potential." In a very real sense this is going to be a record of my journey to attempt to achieve my full potential.
Now this may seem very self-indulgent and possibly verging on Narcissistic but primarily it is to be a tool of self-reflection and analysis. To understand why this is such an important concept to me, perhaps it is worth dwelling for a while on who I am at this point.
I am currently in the last year of my twenties, have two children, am an impending divorcee, have an almost overwhelming sense of white middle-class male guilt, I am also obese with some related health issues and am generally feeling like there is a gaping chasm of 'something' missing in my life.
Whilst I have a lot to be grateful for. Indeed as a member of Western Society, I am better off than the overwhelming majority of people on this planet in regards to living conditions, life expectancy, income and safety. In some regards this drives my current desire even more. If I have the potential to do so much and have more opportunities handed to me that so very many then why am I squandering it? It is not so much a desire but a duty to make the most of that which I have been given by benefit of birth.
Now let me consider at what it will mean to be "the best I can be." Unfortunately such statements are almost beyond definition and measurement by any standard metric. Many philosophers and other great thinkers have tried throughout the ages to define such a goal and I would not even deign to put myself in their company. I turn to the thoughts of Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) a Humanist Psychologist and the developer of the Hierarchy of Needs.
Using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as a starting point I can determine what needs of mine should be focused on as a priority. Maslow postulated that the more basic and primary needs (the ones lower on pyramid diagram) need to be fulfilled before the needs higher up can be addressed.
For the most part, my Physiological needs are met and satisfied, I do not lack for food and water nor shelter. The Safety needs are quite well met too, employment and other resources are not an issue and I'm not being persecuted. My health issues fall in here but as they are not immediately life threatening they can be addressed at the same time as the next level.
The Love/belonging needs are where my life starts to show holes. As previously mentioned my marriage didn't work out and I am currently single, to compound the issue the care of my children is currently in the court system to be determined. So the first port of call for my journey is to start working on satisfying these needs which I will begin to discuss in future posts.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
-Lao-tzu
