This is water

It is about the real value of a real education, which has almost nothing to do with knowledge, and everything to do with simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time, that we have to keep reminding ourselves over and over:

“This is water.”

“This is water.”

That's a snippet from David Foster Wallace's incredible commencement speech to the 2005 graduating class at Kenyon College. I stumbled onto it yesterday, and ever since have been muttering to myself, "This is water."

You will want to click the LINK and give it a read when you have a few minutes. The audio links are incomplete, so just read it. I almost guarantee you'll be glad you did.

It's impossible to sum it up. It's not about the meaning of life. It's more about the challenge of life. Being aware. Present. Making a conscious decision to choose to think and live differently and not be sucked into the negative drudgery of a lifeless existence.

It is possible. I think.

I hope.

I intend to read it again every now and then. I need to...

***

Hebrews 10:22-25

"...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."