I think temptation is a particularly lovely word! It’s enticing, spicy, and invites us into the unknown. In spite of all that’s going on in the world right now, or perhaps because of it, I’ve been trying to hone my understanding of what tempts me, because sometimes what we’re tempted by is really our heart’s deepest desire. What matters most to me? What inspires, what impassions, what makes me feel peaceful, and what gives me pleasure—like taking a long walk through the woods or watching a cozy mystery in the evening, snuggled in a soft blanket. The word tempt originated from the Latin temptare: to feel, to try out, to test. It also stems from tentare, which means to handle, touch, try. It’s only since the early Renaissance that the word took on the concept of evil and it became “sinful” to tempt or to be tempted. But originally Eve wasn’t sinning or being evil—she just wanted to try something out. So did Adam. And look what happened—here we are! All together, on this planet, helping each other, being kind to each other, learning about compassion and suffering and passion, falling in love—with life. Sometimes I feel that we’re trying out life, we’re touching it, dipping our toe in it, tempted by it. What if we let ourselves be seduced by it? If you’re tempted to open that book, go ahead. When you’re tempted to call that friend, call her. Talk to a tree. Listen to a song you’ve never heard. Let yourself be tempted. The very word adds allure, mystery, enthusiasm, and delight to our daily lives.
