Thoughts on life

To the editor:

My interest in searching out a philosophy to live by was awakened the first time I woke up with a hangover and wondered why I got drunk when my honest intentions the night before had been to only drink a few beers with the guys.

It took 10 years to get sober, and then 30-some more years of wondering why things were as they were before I (almost) got things straight in my mind, (I hope). At least, I am now comfortable with my life, since I am no longer a liability to my loved ones and the community.

In my search toward an understanding of my place in the scheme of things, I have come to see that one of the major dilemmas of human life is being dependent on, and therefore required to conform with, the normal attitudes and traditions of our culture, (somewhat like being a "slave" to the establishment). But I have also seen there is no other way we can possibly live (without our culture) that will enable us to survive and prosper.

In addition, we Americans are a multicultural society, and that requires all of us to exhibit some amount of tolerance, understanding and cooperation regarding others (which is not a bad thing).

However, trying to be an individual person within the cultural restrictions we must adhere to turns the art of living into an ongoing balancing act, which means we seldom enjoy any real peace because we are always "on the edge," so to speak, providing we take ourselves seriously.

The task of all cultures, whether primitive or modern, is geared toward the survival of the group, but the resulting "group mentality" does not bode well for the individual.

The common dilemma we all face lies in the fact that human beings are born as self-centered individuals who are also completely dependent on other human beings. Our first "communication" in this world as a newborn babe was an acknowledgement of our own "self" when cold or hunger made us cry out for attention.

While our culture takes care of the group, we individuals must take care of ourselves, which involves learning how to harmoniously express our own humanity in the midst of our cultural setting (which includes the community and our loved ones). Recognizing and nourishing our own individuality is the key to being a well-grounded human being. "To thine own self be true," is a good rule to follow.

Art Carney

Wasilla