Gravity can really pull you down. Gravity is serious, or frightening, or critical, or dignified.
Gravitation is a natural pull on things; it can be attractive, but not in a way you might think. You can grave or engrave (sculpt or inscribe) a piece of wood or stone. Gravity has a certain heaviness to it, because it comes from a Latin word for "weight."
From far earlier than Isaac Newton's falling-apple syndrome to Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity to a recent thriller movie starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, we have been aware of and fascinated with this common earthly experience.
I find it interesting and instructive to consider common words and experiences that matter in our lives. Rest assured that this reflection is not a study of gravitational singularity or quantum gravity theory. Rather, allow me to weigh in with some existential thoughts, perhaps while you hum "He Ain't Heavy (He's My Brother)."
Gravity keeps pulling us down, down, down over the years. Our bodies and energies sag over time. Our gaze is more on the path and less on the view.
Oh, we may fight against gravity by exercising, dieting, trying to look and act youthful for a time. But in real and imagined ways, everyone feels the increasing pull over the years.
Gravity in life keeps us grounded; that's a good thing. Being grounded implies that we are connected with the earth, with reality, with knowing who we are and whose we are and how we are to do this thing called Life.
Being grounded shares the idea of being humble. Humble and humility and humor and human are also "ground" words that share a common Latin word for "humus" or dirt. Grounded people know where they come from _ the same place we all come from _ the earth. Even the name of the First Person, Adam, means "of the earth/soil."
So, I think we all might benefit from a little more gravity.
We tend to get a little too uppity at times, thinking more of ourselves than we ought. I'm not promoting self-shaming, but modesty; using solid wisdom when regarding our place in life (creation, not Creator), our responsibilities in life (stewardship of gifts), our opportunities in life (making and fixing), our deep value in life.
Perhaps we might take things a bit more seriously, things such as justice, kindness and (here it is again) humility before God and each other.
Perhaps we might respect the dignity of slowly sinking closer to the earth as we age; to not be ashamed when we are more fatigued and less productive; to make time without apology for simply sitting and talking or thinking or praying.
And eventually, perhaps we might remember once again that to finally sink back into the soil _ in a grave _ is not failure but fulfillment, not rejection but acceptance of the gravitational pull and attraction of the Great Lover of us all who, in the words of one theologian, is the very Ground of our Being.
