maggietalk

[maggietalk]

“hey what are you doing?”

“wyoming.”

“isn’t that a state?”

“no it’s a verb.”

*continues to wyom*

[maggietalk]

Title

I would like to start by discussing the meaning behind my title. Many of us are familiar with Thomas Hobbes. In his piece, Leviathan, Hobbes states,

"Whatsoever therefore is consequent to a time of Warre, where every man is Enemy to every man; the same is consequent to the time, wherein men live without other security, than what their own strength, and their own invention shall furnish them withall. In such condition, there is no place for Industry; because the fruit thereof is uncertain; and consequently no Culture of the Earth; no Navigation, nor use of the commodities that may be imported by Sea; no commodious Building; no Instruments of moving, and removing such things as require much force; no Knowledge of the face of the Earth; no account of Time; no Arts; no Letters; no Society; and which is worst of all, continuall feare, and danger of violent death; And the life of man, solitary, poore, nasty, brutish, and short."

When I recently read a bit of Hobbes' Leviathan, I was interested in this passage particularly. The idea that when placed in a state of nature, in a state of war, humans are essentially evil. When consumed with selfish desire, and the need to preserve oneself, one's life ultimately amounts to a pitiful existence. Its a paradoxical situation. Men pursuing private interest are attempting to better their life, when in actuality, it is harmful. 

My blog's name delightful, gentle, and enduring is the exact opposite of the life Hobbes describes. It is a reminder that while selfish tendencies may often tempt, we need to step back and look at the whole picture. We must live our lives, not consumed with ourselves, but open to the world around us. We must be open to explore it, and open to cooperate with it. We must immerse ourselves in others and learn as much as we can, for what is life without learning? We must always try to better ourselves, for when we better ourselves, we hold the opportunity to better everyone. Then, we must take the opportunity to better everyone. Only through conscious effort will this happen. We must strive to live a life immersed in the world around us, and only then will our lives be delightful, gentle and enduring. I cannot promise this will always be true. Life will often be horrible, and terrible. It is the ability to see beyond the present, into the horizons of the future, that we all must aim to obtain. 

[maggietalk]

Fresh Start

Today I decided to create a new platform on which I can express myself. Although, its still by means of tumblr, I hope to go about this process in a different manner. I'm interested in writing, and I want to use this blog not only to express my experiences in China, but my experiences in life. I hope to creatively describe the greatness I go on to encounter, as well as the disappointments. Please follow this blog if you're interested in seeing my life from an alternative angle. I welcome you on my journey.