When I put down Anna Deavere Smith's
Letters to a Young Artist, I
didn't want it to be over. I had hoped there would be more, not that
the text was lacking, but that it was so affirming. “Yes!” I
would shout as I read – take that fellow library users.
Nowhere was this
shout more audible than after reading the chapter entitled “Faith”
(173). It is the shortest chapter, much shorter than the chapter
called “Fear” (133-136), though the two are not that far apart.
Aspects of our society – on all sides of the faith question –
tend to characterize the opposite of faith as doubt. It makes sense,
if we are defining faith in terms of belief, as many do. I tend to
think of faith as a way through, a reconciling force for Good in the
world. To me the opposite of faith is not doubt, but fear –
particularly as it is related to faith in ourselves – as artists,
storytellers. This is not to say that we are to be reckless, but we
are to live and love fearlessly.
Smith puts it very well: “Whatever
that means, spiritual or otherwise. It's crucial to keep the faith.
Never stop believing” (173). I would adjust only the last line:
Never stop living fearlessly.
-Bob
P.S. That was difficult to write about
without falling back on faith language from my vocation, but I did my
best.
I agree, Bob, that faith, whether spiritual or not, is very strong.
ReplyDeleteI believe you've got something there Bob. I think Paul placed faith and hope together as inseparable companions. I believe that should apply to ourselves as well as to our belief system. Your stories seem to burst forth fearlessly so you're walking your talk. I agree. Thank you ;->
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