May 1, 2007: The Unexamined Life

"The unexamined life is not a life worth living." This is not an original idea. Last night as I was watching a TV show and this statement was questioned. If the unexamined life is not worth living, is there a limit to the examination? Can we over analyze situations and our own lives to the point that the questioning becomes irrelevant or pointless? I've been told many times in my life, mainly by men, that I think too much. So was Socrates, whom may I point out was a man, wrong when he stated the above quote? In my gut I say no. For example, when I was in and back from Juarez my inner core was shaken. If I was not moved by that experience and not examining my life I think I would become stagnant in my own growth as a more dynamic person. I would not be reaching towards my full potential. I would not be looking at humanity and relationships with an open mind. I would not examine my role within the cycle of poverty. If I do not integrate that experience into my life, my life would not be worth living. Socrates does have a valid statement. However, I also see the truth in over-examining. This comes to clearest fruition within me when it comes to men. I over-examine when communication is unclear, boundaries are blurred, barriers are formed, or mixed signals are shot out. At some point, with most issues we wrestle with, we must step back and give the questions, unanswered, to God. We have to sit in the "not-knowing" an answer. It can be very uncomfortable.

So what is the balance? When do we stop questioning and examining? When do we just allow the Spirit to be? How do I try to navigate who I am and where I am supposed to go without continuously over-questioning and over-examining?