This is water
This is water
In 2005, the late writer David Foster Wallace gave a graduate commencement speech at Kenyon College called “This is water”.
This speech has become a bit of a classic over the years for the way Wallace manages to passionately describe an existential life perspective in his unique style - relatable, jaded, cynical, but ultimately heartfelt.
What makes it all the more poignant is that, three years later, David Foster Wallace took his own life. But there is much we can learn from the words he chose to share with a group of young people entering adult life.
Throughout the tales and tidbits he often used the words aware, attention, conscious, choice. He claimed that good education teaches not just how to think (rather than what to think), but also how to choose what you give your attention to.
The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day. ... The only thing that's capital-T True is that you get to decide how you're going to try to see it. You get to consciously decide what has meaning and what doesn't. ... The trick is keeping the truth up-front in daily consciousness.
He is talking about mindfulness, self-awareness, compassion. When all is said and done, what really matters to you?
Practicing mindfulness can not only be calming and help you feel better, but can also give you more mental space in any given moment. More space to pause, consider, and focus on what’s important. More space to choose what you feel is the wisest response to whatever situation you are facing. The response or action that will best help others, and so yourself. Be it grand and heroic or, more likely, “myriad petty little unsexy” ways.
So, “what’s water?” asked one young fish to another.
Well, this is water. And it’s ok, we’re learning to swim.