"Life Matters: Three Score and Ten?"

By Gloria Latimore-Peace

Presented by Omni-University

"...if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for  justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. " Ancestor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Oh, it's a long, long while From May to December But the days grow short when you reach September...[1]. We've all heard the oft- repeated saying that," "Life is too short". This is an axiom that seems more relevant than ever in these times of wanton disregard for human life by the overzealous agents of the "law and order" establishment. Not only does LIFE's longevity matter but, the quality of LIFE matters as well. Thus, we strive in every way we can to do all that we can to live a "good" LIFE. However, to paraphrase the title of the song- "You Don't Know What Love Is"[2]- you/ we don't know what LIFE is. Thus, while we continue to allow conventional wisdom to occupy our minds, we miss the opportunity to ask-and find answers to LIFEs most  compelling questions. 

In "How, Then, Shall We Live?”, author Wayne Muller raises "Four Simple Questions That Reveal the Beauty and Meaning of Our Lives". Two of these questions: Who Am I? and How Shall I Live, Knowing I Will Die?, are addressed in the writings of Wayne Sebamurti Gentry, particularly in his book " The Nature of Intelligence : A Look Beyond Mere Thinking". It seldom occurs to us to explore these questions because most of us "think" we already know the answers, especially the question of our identities, i.e, who we are.

We have ample documents to attest to our "individualities" and the longer we live, the more we are obliged to acquire: birth certificates, school credentials, drivers' and various other licenses,  voter registration cards, passports, house, car, and numerous other notes, and the final one: the document that is issued in our name(s)- not to but for us- the death certificate. These will be among the pieces of paper that will be assembled to tell the one- or two- page story of our lives in an "Obituary" with an outdated picture on it. Consequently, we may end up spending an entire lifetime, approximated at "three score and ten" years, based on the the assumption that we "KNOW" ourselves- identities that may be left unverified by "ultimate" authority. 

Never having KNOWN the answer to Question one, "Who Am I?" we may not be able to answer the question of "How [We] Shall Live, Knowing [We] will die?" 

In an effort to shed  some light on a path which may lead us toward a better understanding of intelligence and impermanence and, hence, to live more purposeful lives, we offer you the H3O ART OF LIFE television show entitled "Intelligence and Impermanence" featuring "Wayne Sebamurti Gentry that follows:

Blognotes: 

1. "September Song" Sarah Vaughn

2. " You Don't Know What Love Is", Rachelle  Ferrell 

Discography:

3. 'This Is Your Life" The 5th Dimension

4. " This is My Life" Billy Joel

5. " We're in This Life Together " Al Jarreau

6. "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" Gladys Knight and the Pips 

7. "Everything Must Change " Sung by Oleta Adams

8. "On this Beach" by Oscar Brown, Jr.