My niece, who is rapidly approaching 20, is an ‘influence’ on me. She moves in worlds I’ve never heard of and watches and listens to shows that are new to me. Recent time together has resulted in me getting to know, “Wheel of Misfortune,” a BBC Podcast in extremely bad taste (and all the more hilarious for its nefarious content!) The other significant introduction was to the Netflix series, “The Good Place.”

“The Good Place,” is a comedy about life after death… and the chaos that can ensue when one of us is sent to the wrong place! Behind the comedy is a very enjoyably serious message: why we do what we do matters. Doing ‘good’ with an ulterior motive doesn’t count in the grand scheme of things… according the to the show!

In my tradition, we have a saying, “If I give all I possess to the poor… but do not have love, I gain nothing.” Like so many of us here, I am a reflector. Dad’s recent spell in hospital only amplified that natural tendency to think about the meaning of life and what is significant.

This could easily descend into self-criticism but instead I’m feeling a sense of liberation. I’ve done so much in life because I thought I ought to. There’s a massively valid place for duty and for obedience to the Law… but where there is freedom of action and freedom from restraint there is also massive opportunity for a life more worthwhile.

I’m now looking for activities to become involved with for what I believe to be the right reasons. That reason is primarily for love. And love changes everything.

Thus, the concluding focus for today’s blog is: what do you love to do? What do you love to do with all your heart? What’s your passion? This is the stuff that endures in people’s memories!

Lex

A Moodscope member.