Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Predictability/Spontaneity
The thought crossed my mind today how comforting predictability is. It instills security, a certainty that you can rely upon. While we might think it preferable to be spontaneous,appearing adventurous, most of life is about predictability. We have our routines that define us. We're comfortable with them and within them. They're like the armature of a statue upon which the outer layers can be fashioned and refashioned into endless possibilities. Our spontaneity lies within what we do with the outer layers, taking a chance on shifting ideas, a new edge to the work sparking a different direction from original intent.
Given the opportunity and encouragement from the right sources, the embers of spontaneity which lie within us can be rekindled to become a brief but intense spark of originality or a burning flame of change, both of which will be supported by that armature of routine and predictability.
Given the opportunity and encouragement from the right sources, the embers of spontaneity which lie within us can be rekindled to become a brief but intense spark of originality or a burning flame of change, both of which will be supported by that armature of routine and predictability.
Passion
Passion (from the Latin patior, meaning to suffer or to endure)
Hmmm
When we think of passion, we don't necessarily think in terms of suffering...unless we're denied the object of our passion.
Passion is just yet another emotion which compels our actions and influences our decisions. We all have some passion for something though to some we may seem dispassionate due to our passions being controllable or comparably mild. I think often that human interaction fails to expose the passions which exist within. You have to really get to know someone to know what they're passionate about. You can assume they're unenthusiastic or indifferent but few people are disinterested in their own lives. They know what they like even if you don't and, if you want to see them at their best, encourage their individuality, listen to them when they reveal themselves, and find opportunities to enable their passions to grow. You'll benefit from it unless your own passions differ so markedly that it makes you incompatible.
Were we all indifferent, we'd stumble around the world looking like characters from Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. However, there are few truly dispassionate individuals in this world and yet, when our passions aren't encouraged, we do have a tendency to appear otherwise. We should be true to our passions, whatever they are, for we can't depend on another person to fulfill them for us. And, if the person/people we're with don't match us in our passionate endeavors or at least appreciate and address them, we're doing ourselves a disservice.
Hmmm
When we think of passion, we don't necessarily think in terms of suffering...unless we're denied the object of our passion.
Passion is just yet another emotion which compels our actions and influences our decisions. We all have some passion for something though to some we may seem dispassionate due to our passions being controllable or comparably mild. I think often that human interaction fails to expose the passions which exist within. You have to really get to know someone to know what they're passionate about. You can assume they're unenthusiastic or indifferent but few people are disinterested in their own lives. They know what they like even if you don't and, if you want to see them at their best, encourage their individuality, listen to them when they reveal themselves, and find opportunities to enable their passions to grow. You'll benefit from it unless your own passions differ so markedly that it makes you incompatible.
Were we all indifferent, we'd stumble around the world looking like characters from Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. However, there are few truly dispassionate individuals in this world and yet, when our passions aren't encouraged, we do have a tendency to appear otherwise. We should be true to our passions, whatever they are, for we can't depend on another person to fulfill them for us. And, if the person/people we're with don't match us in our passionate endeavors or at least appreciate and address them, we're doing ourselves a disservice.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Firsts
"Firsts", isn't that what makes life interesting? There are, of course, many "lasts"...such as, day of college, chemo treatments, moment with someone you love...that are equally as important emotionally and influentially when it comes to life and direction, but it's firsts that I think of so much lately. Perhaps it's because of the direction my own life has taken and the firsts that have occurred because of it.
I've been known to take a dare...almost breaking my neck in the process...and I'm fairly open to trying new things, within reason. The truth is, you really don't know what you might like or truly detest unless you try it, right? We form mental and emotional blocks based on sight, smell, taste, fear, and even associating with the reaction of someone we trust. For instance, I know that I detest slimey foods. It doesn't matter to me how they're cooked or where they come from, just the thought of something of that texture induces a desire to gag. Would I try something slimey if offered? Yeah, most likely. Why? Because I don't want to be unadventurous and because I expect more from myself. Now, if I deem the food as unsafe for consumption, I'll avoid it and don't care how I appear. To be honest, I can't say for sure if I'll ever eat a live grub or any insect which crunches and then turns to goo. Never say never for you'll eat your words. So, I'll leave that one as an option I hope never presents itself to me.
I'm in New York, as far away from everything familiar to me as I've ever been for any length of time. Some things are similar, sometimes exact, and many things are different. The biggest difference is the abundant opportunity for firsts. Outside of all the first meetings with many new people, I've been trying to think back and compile a list of the most memorable firsts associated with this place. There are so many that it's impossible to list them all.
For instance, in order to travel to New York the first time, I had to leave my home state without the sanction of family...a first...get on a plane...a first...fly above the clouds...a first that repetition doesn't diminish....
You get the picture? Within that one experience there were many firsts that I can't begin to list. Preparation, ticket purchase, flight, layover, interactions, destination achieved...there's too much involved and every bit of it new. Much of it would seem mundane or even dull to many, but for me it's an adventure, a challenge, and every bit of it memorable. You tend to be so attuned to everything around you, so totally aware. Of course, when you're alone, you tend to pay more attention to even the smallest details of things because you're not relying on companions to direct your course. Like being a driver in an auto instead of the passenger, you're the one on alert, the one navigating, the one in control.
Anyway, there are many firsts I plan and many others that life will just present unexpectedly to me as the days progress and I look forward to them all. Life is just too interesting not to appreciate even the smallest of new experiences.
The List influenced by NY (shortened)
Foods
Cherries (real ones)
Olives (big green ones in oil with red pepper flakes)
Garlic cloves (in oil...never thought I'd eat garlic this way)
Ricotta cheese
Peruvian (they had the best sauce over sliced potatoes)
Chicken Parmigiana (can't beat Frank's)
Greek (Boutari Retsina wine...my new fav...doesn't go with everything though)
Veal (Parmigiana again, prefer the chicken)
Indian (eating and cooking)
Spinach (NEVER have I even wanted this veggie)
Goat (within an Indian dish)
Octopus (can't recall how it was cooked)
Coffee (vanilla laced, iced)
Hot tea (with cardamom)
Gourmet Ramen Noodles (Never ate them but delicious when combined with Indian leftovers)
Calamari
Talapia (as common as catfish down south)
NY hot dog (best right outside Grand Central)
Super Duper Weenie hotdog (I'm becoming a hotdog fan which I never was before)
Mango
Liverwurst (yes, it was good)
Arugula (may have had this at some point but didn't recognize it)
Activities
Buddhist Temple
Subway ride
Taxi ride
Visit to Ground Zero
View from the top of Empire State Building
Carriage ride in Central Park
Jazz club Underground
Literary Book Trade Show
Ferry Ride
Purchase from FAO Schwartz (for my Cay)
Madame Tussaud's Wax Musuem
Metropolitan Museum of Art (You really must go!)
Sight of Statue of Liberty (cool from the plane but awesome closer up)
Cirque du Soleil
Christmastime at Grand Central (fantastic light display)
Off Broadway Show
Real snow (NOT the couple of inches MS will see once every ten years or so)
Real snow angel
Passport
Mexico (first trip out of the US...threatened to stay there)
Swam with the dolphins!!!!!
Black dress event
New Years on the water
Real chipmunk (!!!!!!!!!!!)
Learning to eat with chopsticks
Picnic in the park
Picnic on the island
Candlelit dinner
Being in a place without life friends and family (the only drawback)
Tiffany's (and a Christmas gift surprise!!)
B&B Inn by the harbor in winter (what a surprise!!)
St. Paddy's Day parade
Sisters of Mercy concert
Christmas @ Rockerfeller and the big tree!!!!!!!
Framing job
Many wonderful first meetings and, thankfully, continued association with fantastic New York people.
Gosh! The list continues but I'll stop for now though I may revisit. There are so many small things which aren't listed for every day brings something new and nothing is trivial or inconsequential. The bad part is that while establishing this new existence, I've had little time for many of the activities and connections I enjoyed before so, hopefully, I'll get that balanced. Actually, the majority of the activities I listed above all occurred over a 2 1/2 year period of traveling back and forth and, since moving to NY, the activiites have been limited to necessities. That's when you appreciate the small firsts even more. : )
I've been known to take a dare...almost breaking my neck in the process...and I'm fairly open to trying new things, within reason. The truth is, you really don't know what you might like or truly detest unless you try it, right? We form mental and emotional blocks based on sight, smell, taste, fear, and even associating with the reaction of someone we trust. For instance, I know that I detest slimey foods. It doesn't matter to me how they're cooked or where they come from, just the thought of something of that texture induces a desire to gag. Would I try something slimey if offered? Yeah, most likely. Why? Because I don't want to be unadventurous and because I expect more from myself. Now, if I deem the food as unsafe for consumption, I'll avoid it and don't care how I appear. To be honest, I can't say for sure if I'll ever eat a live grub or any insect which crunches and then turns to goo. Never say never for you'll eat your words. So, I'll leave that one as an option I hope never presents itself to me.
I'm in New York, as far away from everything familiar to me as I've ever been for any length of time. Some things are similar, sometimes exact, and many things are different. The biggest difference is the abundant opportunity for firsts. Outside of all the first meetings with many new people, I've been trying to think back and compile a list of the most memorable firsts associated with this place. There are so many that it's impossible to list them all.
For instance, in order to travel to New York the first time, I had to leave my home state without the sanction of family...a first...get on a plane...a first...fly above the clouds...a first that repetition doesn't diminish....
You get the picture? Within that one experience there were many firsts that I can't begin to list. Preparation, ticket purchase, flight, layover, interactions, destination achieved...there's too much involved and every bit of it new. Much of it would seem mundane or even dull to many, but for me it's an adventure, a challenge, and every bit of it memorable. You tend to be so attuned to everything around you, so totally aware. Of course, when you're alone, you tend to pay more attention to even the smallest details of things because you're not relying on companions to direct your course. Like being a driver in an auto instead of the passenger, you're the one on alert, the one navigating, the one in control.
Anyway, there are many firsts I plan and many others that life will just present unexpectedly to me as the days progress and I look forward to them all. Life is just too interesting not to appreciate even the smallest of new experiences.
The List influenced by NY (shortened)
Foods
Cherries (real ones)
Olives (big green ones in oil with red pepper flakes)
Garlic cloves (in oil...never thought I'd eat garlic this way)
Ricotta cheese
Peruvian (they had the best sauce over sliced potatoes)
Chicken Parmigiana (can't beat Frank's)
Greek (Boutari Retsina wine...my new fav...doesn't go with everything though)
Veal (Parmigiana again, prefer the chicken)
Indian (eating and cooking)
Spinach (NEVER have I even wanted this veggie)
Goat (within an Indian dish)
Octopus (can't recall how it was cooked)
Coffee (vanilla laced, iced)
Hot tea (with cardamom)
Gourmet Ramen Noodles (Never ate them but delicious when combined with Indian leftovers)
Calamari
Talapia (as common as catfish down south)
NY hot dog (best right outside Grand Central)
Super Duper Weenie hotdog (I'm becoming a hotdog fan which I never was before)
Mango
Liverwurst (yes, it was good)
Arugula (may have had this at some point but didn't recognize it)
Activities
Buddhist Temple
Subway ride
Taxi ride
Visit to Ground Zero
View from the top of Empire State Building
Carriage ride in Central Park
Jazz club Underground
Literary Book Trade Show
Ferry Ride
Purchase from FAO Schwartz (for my Cay)
Madame Tussaud's Wax Musuem
Metropolitan Museum of Art (You really must go!)
Sight of Statue of Liberty (cool from the plane but awesome closer up)
Cirque du Soleil
Christmastime at Grand Central (fantastic light display)
Off Broadway Show
Real snow (NOT the couple of inches MS will see once every ten years or so)
Real snow angel
Passport
Mexico (first trip out of the US...threatened to stay there)
Swam with the dolphins!!!!!
Black dress event
New Years on the water
Real chipmunk (!!!!!!!!!!!)
Learning to eat with chopsticks
Picnic in the park
Picnic on the island
Candlelit dinner
Being in a place without life friends and family (the only drawback)
Tiffany's (and a Christmas gift surprise!!)
B&B Inn by the harbor in winter (what a surprise!!)
St. Paddy's Day parade
Sisters of Mercy concert
Christmas @ Rockerfeller and the big tree!!!!!!!
Framing job
Many wonderful first meetings and, thankfully, continued association with fantastic New York people.
Gosh! The list continues but I'll stop for now though I may revisit. There are so many small things which aren't listed for every day brings something new and nothing is trivial or inconsequential. The bad part is that while establishing this new existence, I've had little time for many of the activities and connections I enjoyed before so, hopefully, I'll get that balanced. Actually, the majority of the activities I listed above all occurred over a 2 1/2 year period of traveling back and forth and, since moving to NY, the activiites have been limited to necessities. That's when you appreciate the small firsts even more. : )
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Walking with strangers
The words are familiar though they come from different voices. They are thoughts and words belonging to the past and to others who felt the same long before me. They are reminders of how similar we are, we strangers
of commonality.
There is nothing expressed today that has never been orated or written before. Perhaps the words are rearranged, different adjectives are used, the emotions emphasized more or less, and yet I see parallels between myself and these individuals who've vacated the present but whose presence will forever be tangible. Their words, though expressed in the past, will influence my future. It does not matter that I have no intimate knowledge of these individuals, they've left their mark upon my life through association.
Science may deem me unique by cell structure and DNA but that is where my singularity seems to end. Whether by social cultivation, a heritage of inherent feminine traits passed along, or intent by a creator to delineate the sexes, I find few differences between myself and these other females. Though varying to some degree, the same needs drive us, the same emotions spur us or bring us down, and the lines separating us become blurred.
It does not bother me that I and they share certain traits, that they shadow my footsteps, or that their words are retained and treasured. What bothers me is that I don't stand apart from the rest. Recognizable patterns emerge and I find I'm a carbon copy in someone else's lifeplan and, if they belong to the past, what does that bode for my future? It is obviously our similarities that brought us all to this place but it is just as obvious that our similarities don't offer certainty. There again, what in Life is certain?
So, what if I read words which echo my own (or, in this case, my own echo someone else's) or find common links to strangers I'll never know? None of that is important. What I find interesting is the pattern beneath this gathering of individuals and the quest for understanding exactly what has me standing in their vacated position. Beyond that is the desire to find or create my own uniqueness...for myself...so that I remain standing with no empty footsteps to defend.
of commonality.
There is nothing expressed today that has never been orated or written before. Perhaps the words are rearranged, different adjectives are used, the emotions emphasized more or less, and yet I see parallels between myself and these individuals who've vacated the present but whose presence will forever be tangible. Their words, though expressed in the past, will influence my future. It does not matter that I have no intimate knowledge of these individuals, they've left their mark upon my life through association.
Science may deem me unique by cell structure and DNA but that is where my singularity seems to end. Whether by social cultivation, a heritage of inherent feminine traits passed along, or intent by a creator to delineate the sexes, I find few differences between myself and these other females. Though varying to some degree, the same needs drive us, the same emotions spur us or bring us down, and the lines separating us become blurred.
It does not bother me that I and they share certain traits, that they shadow my footsteps, or that their words are retained and treasured. What bothers me is that I don't stand apart from the rest. Recognizable patterns emerge and I find I'm a carbon copy in someone else's lifeplan and, if they belong to the past, what does that bode for my future? It is obviously our similarities that brought us all to this place but it is just as obvious that our similarities don't offer certainty. There again, what in Life is certain?
So, what if I read words which echo my own (or, in this case, my own echo someone else's) or find common links to strangers I'll never know? None of that is important. What I find interesting is the pattern beneath this gathering of individuals and the quest for understanding exactly what has me standing in their vacated position. Beyond that is the desire to find or create my own uniqueness...for myself...so that I remain standing with no empty footsteps to defend.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Friday, June 05, 2009
What kind of world do you want?
When opening this blog page, the music automatically comes on and the first song always makes me nostalgic for a perfect world. What kind of world do you want?
President Obama was considered "naive" and "out of touch with reality" following his speech in Egypt for some of the ideas he professed. Certainly, this world is inhabited by people of many natures with many desires and there will always be good and evil with byproducts. What there isn't always in existence is someone who cares enough to introduce a new way, someone confident enough to stand alone if necessary, someone willing and committed to doing what it takes to make change happen, someone capable of leading.
Perhaps our leader is somewhat an idealist but I can't find fault with that. Maybe some would say he's just a dreamer for none of these things he intends are attainable. President Obama does have lofty aspirations for our country as well as other nations, but he also has personal capabilities and the position of power to see some of his ideals to fruition.
This man has already made a mark on his country and it remains to be seen to what extent he's capable of making a mark on the rest of the world. Instead of "naive and out of touch with reality", I see someone immersed in reality yet directed by hope for us all.
President Obama was considered "naive" and "out of touch with reality" following his speech in Egypt for some of the ideas he professed. Certainly, this world is inhabited by people of many natures with many desires and there will always be good and evil with byproducts. What there isn't always in existence is someone who cares enough to introduce a new way, someone confident enough to stand alone if necessary, someone willing and committed to doing what it takes to make change happen, someone capable of leading.
Perhaps our leader is somewhat an idealist but I can't find fault with that. Maybe some would say he's just a dreamer for none of these things he intends are attainable. President Obama does have lofty aspirations for our country as well as other nations, but he also has personal capabilities and the position of power to see some of his ideals to fruition.
This man has already made a mark on his country and it remains to be seen to what extent he's capable of making a mark on the rest of the world. Instead of "naive and out of touch with reality", I see someone immersed in reality yet directed by hope for us all.
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