The Group Blogging Experience aka GBE is run by the wonderful Alicia. Visit her blog for more info! :)
This week's subject is:
SLOTH
In its most basic form, it means "laziness". We also know it as being one of the seven capital (or deadly) sins.
Sloth is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work.
It is one of the Seven deadly sins (Catechism) and one
of the Five hindrances (Buddhism).
answers.com
sluggishness of the mind which neglects to begin good... [it] is
evil in its effect, if it so oppresses man as to draw him away entirely
from good deeds
Thomas Aquinas
Very signifigant word... if.
I did a bit of searching on the word sloth today and read a few sermons. One in particular which I found interesting, and will link for your viewing pleasure, is by the Rev. Dr. Daniel ÓConnell on Eliot Chapel.org
Looking to approach "sloth" from a non-religious point of view, I found an intriguing article entitled The Atheist Sloth Ethic, or Why Europeans Don't Believe in Work on The Telegraph.co.uk
Now, I make no claims as to whether or not Europeans are happier than Americans, and I acknowledge that, for some, fleeting happiness on Earth is nothing compared to eternal salvation. It seems the author intended his article as a word of caution to his fellow Britons, warning of the dangers of collectivism vs. capitalism (not to be confused with individualism), but I saw it far differently.
This morning, as I was waking up, I thought of writing a blog on a subject which has been on my mind lately, namely on the qualities of modern culture. I've written blogs before on the lack of connection with our fellow human beings, but what I'm thinking of is a kind of joylessness that pervades American society today (perhaps that joylessness leads to the disconnect?).
It seems especially prevalent in teens. They seem to me to be so sad, aimless, lifeless... like we have an entire generation of zombies, sleepwalking through life. There is little energy flowing from them. People in their 20's, 30's and 40's and beyond are not immune to this, either. In spite of the fact that a vast majority of people in this country claim belief in a higher power, in a life with meaning, and in a reward system after death, so may people seem to live their lives as if they thought quite the opposite. (For purposes of clarity, I am not suggesting that atheists, lacking at least one of the above mentioned beliefs, are automatically lacking. From personal experience, it is assuredly not the case... but that is another subject for another day.)
This illuminates the possibilty (probability?) that there is not only one way, one answer, one path which leads away from fear and toward inner-peace and happiness.
But, that is also another subject for another day! 
What, might you be wondering, does this have to do with sloth? Well, I think we may have gotten (at least some of) it wrong. Remember Thomas Aquinas' "if".
Sloth is not necessarily a bad thing.
It is not only what we do, but the degree to and intent behind our actions (or inactions, in this case) that determines positive or negative outcomes.
If we take the word sloth, remove its connotations of sin and punishment, we get this:
Disinclination to action or labor.
Indolence
Laziness.
Encouraging inactivity or indolence
As in a lazy summer day
Who among us has not enjoyed one of those gloriously lazy summer days? Who, after enjoying such a day, has not felt refreshed? Energized. Ready to get back to the business of earning a living?
My opinion of sloth is:
I love it!
Not only do I love being lazy, I think it is necessary. Sloth need not be a lack of attention to our fellow human beings, nor to our work, nor to our spiritual selves. Rather, it can be a tool for strengthening those things...giving us time in a day to reflect, to daydream, to breathe.
To just BE
