"Imagine a set of people all living in the same building. Half of them think it is a hotel, the other half think it is a prison. Those who think it a hotel might regard it as quite intolerable, and those who thought it was a prison might decide that is was really surprisingly comfortable. So that what seems the ugly doctrine is one that comforts and strengthens you in the end. The people who try to hold an optimistic view of this world would become pessimists: the people who hold a pretty stern view of it become optimistic." (C.S. Lewis: God in the Dock)
I've been reading CS Lewis' collection of essays, "God in the Dock". The quote I cited above surprised me. That is the first time I have heard someone of Lewis' status and influence agree with my view and actually present and argument for it. It does make me feel a bit better about my normal dismal view of Life.
My normal argument for my view is the fact that if you expect the worst, then it won't surprise you when it happens. But if you hold a bright and sunny view of life, when the rain and storm clouds come along they will fall farther and harder. It's the whole "Those who are braced for impact won't go through the windshield" idea.
I just thought this was worth sharing, and maybe even thinking about.
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1 comment:
yeah okay, I don't think that's quite what he ment when he wrote that. I think it's how you view life that lets you enjoy it. So if view dark, then the storm is nothing, but then it's always dark and you never learn. but when you see the sun and then have a storm. you learn through the storm and love the sun all the more. and you bring an umbrella for the next time, not minding it so much as before.
What is it they say in batman? "the night is always darkest before the dawn"? but living in perpetual darkness doesn't help any one.
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