What makes a life GREAT … (04/13/13)
“Here’s what I learned from Christopher Hitchens in the 25 years I knew him: Think for yourself … Follow your principles to the end … Don’t flinch from the truth … and continue to reaffirm these all, until the last ounce of strength drains from your body.” ~ from Jacob Weisberg
Despite efforts both sincere & resolute, I have still yet to comprehend my deep adoration for Christopher Hitchens.
Yes, he was incredibly charming, brilliantly witty & effortlessly eloquent — so much so, in fact, that to listen to him (even while adamantly disagreeing with him) was to not help but break into a smile ( or at least to shake one’s head in wonder) … And yet, there are others almost as glib (and some even more dapper) that do not hold me so rapt in focus (almost in awe) when they speak.
Yes, his voice — that gentle, mid-range rumble of a baritone — was indeed a joy to attend no matter what topic it happened to be illuminating or enforcing … And yet, I can think of quite a few others just as vibrant to the ear and just as sweet to the Soul. Why do they not bring the same inner calm?
And yes, his fundamental raison d’être & primary passion (the championing of the pure freedom of the human spirit over the “mind-forged manacles” of organized religion) did support & inspire my own primary Life Mission (furthering the transcendence of Humanity — away from the selfishly aggressive & arrogantly condemnatory mammals we currently are, and towards the selflessly caring & humbly accepting Human Beings we could soon become) … And yet, I disagreed profoundly with almost every other position he ever professed, and indeed, still take great issue with the somewhat pious manner in which he attacked the pious.
So what to make of it all? What does it mean when any of us find ourselves deeply admiring someone with whom we might often vehemently disagree?
Well, it turns out that this particular conundrum of mine actually runs MUCH deeper than analyzing the content of Hitchens speeches, the chivalry of his manner, and the melodiousness of his voice.
No, what I seemed to have stumbled upon — quite inadvertently, I must admit — is an answer to one of life’s Great Questions … namely:
What makes a Man (or a Woman) truly GREAT?
As earlier phrases have made quite clear, the answer to this question lies not in the words we employ, or the tone our voice adopts, or even the content of our speech.
No, what makes a (wo)man truly GREAT is that (s)he first adopts a clear set of moral principles — virtues centered on the primary cornerstones of Justice & Freedom & Kindness & Peace — & then that (s)he have the courage to go forth and OPENLY CHAMPION the same in everyday life.
Even though we might make mistakes in doing so, this is what makes a life GREAT … In-deed, this choice & this choice alone is what makes life worth living at all.
Christopher Hitchens passed away some 16 months ago, and with his passing, yet another brilliant Beacon of Truth has faded … And yet his passing need not go unnoticed, and it need not be in vain.
In-deed, we can allow all such Great (Wo)Men to “live forever”
by honoring them in our own still-vibrant days — not so much by repeating what they said, as much as by emulating how they said it.
Christopher Hitchens would have been 64 today.
His life is over … Yours is not.
Please act accordingly.
“Mr. Hitchens, your contributions to the struggle for equality, rationality, and freedom will never be forgotten. Your courage, wit, and intelligence lent me the strength to champion these ideals in my own life. That you have done the same for so many others is your great and immortal contribution to humankind. Our seemingly small victories over all forms of tyranny, injustice & bigotry are what continue to change the world; one action, one mind, one community at a time, until the tide of Harmony cannot be held back any longer. Your actions and words have moved us ever closer to that point of awakening. Thank you.” ~ inspired by unknown
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