Human nature is fallible, but that's no reason to let it dictate our behavior.

"Well, it's only human nature." How often have you heard someone say that when excusing a bad deed or perplexing behavior?

The belief that our behavior is programmed physically or biologically frightens me because it implies that we have no control over our lives or our souls. Everything I have learned over the years has in fact led me to believe that the great things that humans have accomplished have been in defiance of natural tendencies to remain animalistic. We are not animals. If you want to restore your perspective on what we can be when we are not guided by basic instincts, read again the great books that have shaped our civilization, or visit a museum or go to a concert and listen to the music of the human spirit, soaring, reaching, transcending the base and the ordinary.

Take a walk in the woods. Nature and "our nature" are not the same. It's important to distinguish the two, particularly now when we are bombarded with more and more information promoting "natural" everything, from foods to healing. We can lose perspective on what is good and bad about the natural world, what we should appreciate as well as what we should question.

Civilization represents the taming of nature and our ability to evolve toward a higher level of understanding of the world. Electricity, air travel, antibiotics are just some examples of our capabilities to move beyond natural limits. Civilization at its best is expressive of our human potential and possibilities.

As we age, we are faced with the choice of giving in to nature, which puts such impediments as arthritis and presbyopia (farsightedness) before us, or defying the natural sequence of things and determining to combat them. We can make excuses by saying, "It's our age." And when we get up in the morning, we can give in to aches and pains or mental fatigue and seek comfort and sympathy. Or we can say, "No, I know what I can be and I will not flee from this day. It's in my power to define my own human nature, with no excuses."

- Leda has published a book of essays called, "Look for the Moon in the Morning." To learn more about Leda Sanford, visit her website, ledasanford.com.

EMAIL PRINT

posted at 10:47:32 AM