Ironically, having children -- the very people to whom we traditionally transmit wisdom -- has made me rethink my overemphasis on bookish wisdom. They "turn off" the instant I enter lecture-y/wise-old man mode. My son, 6, bemoans "Daddy's boring lessons" almost as soon as they begin.
And, it makes almost no difference whether I am delivering the message kindly or harshly. The bottom line is this: Once the Wisdom Train edges out of the station, kids see it a mile away and run for the hills.
By contrast, they instantly open up and draw near when I am fun and playful.
Most want to be at peace, to find the secret to tranquility. Yet, this need does not seem to be satisfied by simply sitting endlessly in front of a book or at the feet of an elder, drinking from the Font of Pure Wisdom.
In this vein, I'm reminded of a cool story about Abba Anthony, The Desert Father, and first known teacher of monks in Christian history:
We all need some level of recreation and excitement.
Otherwise, like the bow, we break.
Most want to be at peace, to find the secret to tranquility. Yet, this need does not seem to be satisfied by simply sitting endlessly in front of a book or at the feet of an elder, drinking from the Font of Pure Wisdom.
In this vein, I'm reminded of a cool story about Abba Anthony, The Desert Father, and first known teacher of monks in Christian history:
A hunter in the desert saw Abba Anthony enjoying himself with the brethren and he was shocked. Wanting to show him that it was necessary sometimes to meet the needs of the brethren, the old man said to him, “Put an arrow in your bow and shoot it.” So he did. The old man then said, “Shoot another,” and he did so. Then the old man said, “Shoot yet again,” and the hunter replied “If I bend my bow so much I will break it.” Then the old man said to him, “It is the same with the work of God. If we stretch the brethren beyond measure they will soon break. Sometimes it is necessary to come down to meet their needs.” When he heard these words the hunter was pierced by compunction and, greatly edified by the old man, he went away. As for the brethren, they went home strengthened (1).
We all need some level of recreation and excitement.
Otherwise, like the bow, we break.
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Joseph Elsakr qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials,
running an astounding 2:18:57 while working toward an MD
and a PhD at Vanderbilt University (2).
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Others, not finding a healthy avocation, satisfy their needs for excitement through high-stakes gambling. Further still, some satisfy this urge in the sexual realm.
Most pathetically, some satisfy it by playing politics in government or Church.
Purveyors of self-help products would have us believe that the only antidotes for bad habits are books and seminars geared to help us zone out and calm down. But the hard truth is that many of us have to do the hard work of finding a healthy satisfaction of the need for excitement.
After hearing confessions for 40 years, Fr. Thomas Hopko (+2015) distilled his life advice into 55 short maxims. They include:
20. Have a healthy, wholesome hobby.
21. Exercise regularly (3).
Through prayer and self-awareness we can each find the right wholesome hobby.
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(1) Ward, Benedicta (trans). The Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Anthony, 13
(2) See his guest post, "Hidden Treasure."
(2) Hopko, Fr. Thomas. "55 Maxims of the Christian Life"
(1) Ward, Benedicta (trans). The Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Anthony, 13
(2) See his guest post, "Hidden Treasure."
(2) Hopko, Fr. Thomas. "55 Maxims of the Christian Life"