“Common souls pay with that which they do, nobler souls with that which they are” – Emerson
Do you yourself harbor a noble soul?
If you hesitated to answer yes, or even took a moment to consider yourself, what lie were you tricked into believing?
In Emerson’s essay History, the nature of a noble soul is painted beautifully in a way that not only inspires us, but reveals to us a part of our higher nature.
A part of our nature transcendent of space and time, above history, above cause and effect, flowing from and through all moments of the past, present, and future.
When you sit and read about Franklin, Galileo, and Jefferson; are you reading about a type of man buried in the aeons of time or do you discover a piece of yourself in the powerful personalities of the past?
History is not just a list of dead dates and places, but the story of the human soul in action through the hands and hearts of adventurous men.
It is this very intimate relationship with History that Emerson writes to us about in his celebrated essay, History.
On Wednesday Morning the Meriwether Study Club met in Nashville to discuss this essay at the Barista Parlor in the W Hotel.
After some discussion members of the group determined that it is not only what we read that impacts us, but more importantly how we read.
Here are 3 questions to keep in mind while we read to enhance our experience:
- How does this person I am reading about reflect a piece of me?
- In what ways would I have acted in this circumstance?
- What traits can I adopt from this person’s example to enhance my life?
It is not in merely memorizing the dates, facts, and names throughout history that we become any wiser. Rather it is the personal involvement we adopt in the biographies of those who came before us that tie us to them through the thread that goes beyond time.
Learn more about joining our Weekly Study Club in Nashville by clicking here.
Sincerely,
Warren – Founder Meriwether
PS: Register for our April Men’s Retreat if you haven’t already at https://retreat.meriwetheracademy.com/aprilretreat