Frederick Nietzsche’s philosophy
entailed two essential elements, namely love of fate and eternal occurrence.
The first was tied up with his idea that we can love our fate, which entails living
a life to the fullest regardless of circumstances. He even suggested we might find
meaning through suffering and that there exists the capacity in the noblest of humanity
to transcend that suffering. Many would
disagree with that idea but this story sheds some light on an unlikely association
to make up an enduring legacy.
Hence, a life of extreme
hardship, might justify a cynic concluding such an outcome will be
unbearably miserable. But such a conclusion ignores the ability of the human
spirit to transcend suffering and experience joy.
I am reminded of a particularly
poignant moment in my daughter’s life which occurred in an exchange with one of
the participants in her group involved in plays and productions for
intellectually challenged adults. The person concerned, in her mid-thirties,
who was to be the star in the next production, was sitting pensively, deep in
thought, when my daughter entered the rehearsal room.
The young women had suffered from many complications and disorders from an early age arising from cancer treatments that had ravaged her body but nevertheless was looking forward to the show. Their relationship had blossomed over time and the young actor’s enjoyment in participation was readily apparent.
‘What are you thinking about’ my daughter asked?
‘Well’ I was looking back on my life and thinking what I would change if I had the opportunity to live my life all again’ she said.
‘What conclusion did you come to,’ my daughter asked?
‘Well’, she said, ‘as you walked into the room I suddenly realized there is not a single thing I would want to change.’
The young girl died before she was able to realize her dream of starring in the next production, but her lasting legacy is bound to turn the head of even the grumpiest person to marvel at the depths and richness of the human spirit.
The young women had suffered from many complications and disorders from an early age arising from cancer treatments that had ravaged her body but nevertheless was looking forward to the show. Their relationship had blossomed over time and the young actor’s enjoyment in participation was readily apparent.
‘What are you thinking about’ my daughter asked?
‘Well’ I was looking back on my life and thinking what I would change if I had the opportunity to live my life all again’ she said.
‘What conclusion did you come to,’ my daughter asked?
‘Well’, she said, ‘as you walked into the room I suddenly realized there is not a single thing I would want to change.’
The young girl died before she was able to realize her dream of starring in the next production, but her lasting legacy is bound to turn the head of even the grumpiest person to marvel at the depths and richness of the human spirit.
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