Abilities useless without desire to improve

This column is, by design and intention, not a religious column. It may be at times a spiritual column; in that vein, at some time during Lent, it seems appropriate to address the issue of self examination and self denial.

Plato attributes to Socrates the statement that “The unexamined life is not worth living.” The impact of Greek philosophy on early Christianity is perhaps well known, easily understandable, and beyond the scope of this column at this time. Though that statement is broad,abstract, and therefore easy to argue form either side,the basic tenet crosses cultures and viewpoints.

Simply put, we as humans are thinking, feeling, and reflective creations. If we do not use these faculties to improve ourselves, we are in danger of being less than our potential, or less than what our Creator intended.