April 28, 2014
X is for…
…examine. I know, I know, examine doesn’t start with the letter “x”…but it does start with the same sound, so I’m counting it.
The claim, attributed to Socrates (and quoted by Plato), that the “unexamined life is not worth living” seems appropriate to consider here.
He’s talking about looking inward, about knowing ourselves and understanding ourselves, about intuiting what’s important in life and determining priorities. Instead of living on auto-pilot or instinct, we have wisdom and philosophy and reflection. It’s one thing that separates us from the animals.
That’s not to say that life should be all examination and navel-gazing and no action. He did mention something about actually living, after all.
Pushing the Bruise 
“Navel gazing” is not a term I’m familiar with but I like it in a strange of way.
We do need to take time for examination of self. Thanks for the well articulated reminder.
Melinda, thank you! I can’t remember where I first heard that term, and I used to totally hate it (eww, who stares at their bellybutton all day?)…but I’ve grown to appreciate its aptness. Haha!
“Navel-gazing” always makes me smile! Ha ha ha. Your reflection always guarantees us some good reading material. Thanks!
Thank you, Denise, for that kind word!