“Any writing which has influenced the thinking and the lives of innumerable people is important. Now, there are many millions in their sects and churches who feel the order, 'Do thou,' and throw their weight into obedience. And there are millions more who feel predestination in 'Thou shalt.' Nothing they may do can interfere with what will be. But 'Thou mayest'! Why, that makes a man great, that gives him stature with the gods, for in his weakness and his filth and his murder of his brother he has still the great choice. He can choose his course and fight it through and win.” Lee's voice was a chant of triumph.
First off, I read Steinbeck’s East of Eden when I was in the 9th grade back in 1995. I try to read it again every two or three years and, as a sign of a great book, every time I read it, I view it differently. But in the end, it’s always a great book which places the onus of our actions on the individual. We are all sinners. We are all gods. We are we, to paraphrase some guy.
Daily choices. I’ve spoken of daily choices on a number of different occasions. Often in reference to a girl. But I think that somewhere along the line, I had forgotten or ignored the importance and meaning of it all. But I remember when it was my mantra. Maybe I wasn’t very impressive or memorable back then, but I knew who I was. I was earnest and I wasn’t deceitful. I knew what I wanted, I knew what I was lacking and I was generally comfortable in my own skin. There were things I was passionate about, I thought a lot and tried to make myself better. I remember trying to learn about rain, and reading French everyday. More importantly, though…I remember being ok with myself at the end of the day.
Timshel.