“Here, then, is the first spiritual act in someone’s experience: reverence for life. The consequence of it is that one comes to realize his dependence upon events quite beyond his control

Therefore he becomes resigned. And this is the second spiritual act: resignation.

What happens is that one realizes that he is a speck of dust, a plaything of events outside his reach. Nevertheless, he may at the same time discover that he has a certain liberty, as long as he lives.   Sometimes or another all of us must have found that happy events have not been able to make us happy, nor unhappy events to make us unhappy. There is in each of us a modulation, an inner exaltation, which lifts us above the buffetings  with which events assail us. Likewise, it lifts us above dependence upon the gifts of events for our joy. Hence, our dependence upon events is not absolute; it is qualified by our spiritual freedom. Therefore, when we speak of resignation it is not sadness to which we refer, but the triumph of our will to live over whatever happens to us. And to become ourselves, to be spiritually alive, we must have passed beyond this point of resignation.

The great defect of modern philosophy is that it neglects this essential fact. It does not ask someone to think deeply on himself.  It hounds him into activity, bidding him find escape thus.  In that respect it falls far below the philosophy of Greece, which taught people better the true depth of  life.”

SOURCES: Copyright(c) Albert Schweitzer :Essential Writings. (2005)  Orbis Books.  New York. Pages 154-155.

Copyright(c)  Believing is Seeing:15 ways to leave the prison of depression. (2015) Smith, Hugh.  Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.

Copyright(c) Higher thoughts for down days: 365 daily thoughts and meditations for members of 12 step fellowship groups. Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.