Choice and Chance
let us flourish
The ability to take care of oneself and make the necessary moves to thrive and flourish elevates humans above basic survival instincts. During the 1970s, the notion of choice became a mantra for personal freedom for women. Many new options appeared in consumer goods, education, lifestyle, work and sexuality—doors to open, thresholds to cross. Now, fifty years later, some choices have been lost, but mostly, an abundance of possibility may add confusion for some trying to navigate all the offerings of today while exercising personal agency.
What would society look like if human flourishing were the goal?
I believe that choice and chance are the forces that have steered me through life, along with an expectation of some flourishing.
Lately, I see so many posts and articles complaining about the blatant use of A.I. in writing—published books and articles, especially on Substack. One of the sadder aspects of the A.I. invasion is the loss of taste—a flattening of variation.
Despite all the complaints, I highly appreciate that this platform continues to allow for freedom of expression without gatekeepers or labels. Tolerating A.I. may be part of that. I refer to my writing here as essay, but just as my painting is on the periphery of abstraction and figuration, my essays are less than classic and nobody is telling me to clarify what I am doing for the sake of a concise label.
Silicon Valley has an obsession with optimization and innovation that seeks perfection. The creep of artificial intelligence is promoted as the elixir of freedom, but our era of constant evaluation and efficiency points to something else.
Perhaps a new marker or badge of untethered originality will appear as a couple typos or other writing glitches—an occasional invented word or quirky style. Thus far, these structures are not yet built into the language-learning models (as far as I know).
Rather than the anxiety of perfection-seeking in any ambitious endeavor, wellness, attractiveness, fitness, or even shopping…true freedom may possibly arrive in the ability to allow for good enough. Not mediocre. Not without nuance and care. Rather, selective seeking to a level that meets the mark (for you). Flourishing requires having values and taste—a good sense of who you are and what you like and respect. There is a lot of power in the ability to make a decision rather than over-deliberate.
Prioritizing the flourishing of human beings begins with a basic regard and love for humanity—love as a way of seeing more than a feeling.
Artists typically challenge themselves within a set of self-created boundaries where true creativity and flourishing percolates. Philip Guston was once an abstract painter who turned his attention to highly defined cartoon-like images that better expressed his ideas.
Reclaiming Democracy seems to be on the minds of many, especially as the 250-year anniversary of the country has passed, along with the celebrations of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Still, a worthy aspiration, marked with the usual performative rituals of fireworks and festivities.
I found myself watching some historical programming and an intense Oliver Stone film from the late 1980s that I have not seen since that time—Born on the 4th of July (worth a look from the perspective of now). The holiday weekend was a contemplative moment to consider the entire landscape of the country as it is.
Despite a spike in gun violence, record high temperatures causing a serious threat to health and the power grid, the high cost of groceries, and no end to problematic topics, there remains plenty to celebrate. Some had a fine time doing that. However, the overall mood seemed to be this…
Rather than an enthusiastic collective effervescence, I imagine hearing a reluctant collective sigh.
Along with the idea of good enough, I am reminded of the Japanese practice called Wabi Sabi. An appreciation for imperfection, even the broken or flawed is part of everyday beauty, as in nature.
Greater appreciation in general could only help us all at this time—a return to a sense of dignity and grace after a time of extremely bad behavior becoming the norm.
I recently read about another ritual from Japan, a bedtime practice followed by many parents. Ask the child two questions:
What was the most interesting part of your day?
What are you grateful for tonight?
The repetition of thinking this way grows an ability to notice and appreciate. For me, today, is this…
Since there was a brief break in the high temperature and humidity, I was able to turn off the AC and open windows to enjoy bird sounds, a slight breeze and the scent of fragrant blossoms.
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