Love this! I'll try to keep the idea of the importance of empty space in my mind. My life feels pretty unstructured right now, and it's kind of terrifying! But it's reassuring to remember I don't need to plan every moment of my life in advance. Thanks for writing!
I walk regularly with a group of (elderly) women. We walk in a beautiful park full of exquisite vistas overlooking a lake, through trees full of bird song. Yet, with all this, all I hear is their chatter . No one looks up or around as we find it necessary to "watch our step". I am the annoying one who stops the group with a loud "Look at that!" (up into the canopy, or across the lake) - just to, hopefully, pull them out of themselves for a moment of awareness of where they are. It's an uphill battle.
I am unfortunately a lot like your friends, but I walk with a person who regularly stops me to show me small things, mostly plants, and I have grown as a person from these interruptions. They remind me to begin again.
Carl Sagan was one of the greatest deep thinkers of our time; perhaps the only one! Very humbling. The fact is; we are here for one go-around (individually or collectively); and a short one at that, on the cosmic scale. And whatever we may think of the importance of ourselves and what we do in our short little lives, when we cease to exist and are gone for all time forward, we will have made absolutely no contribution or have had even the slightest effect on the Universe. Take in all the Universe has to give you, while you’re still here!
good on ya! Learn to do nothing
Love this! I'll try to keep the idea of the importance of empty space in my mind. My life feels pretty unstructured right now, and it's kind of terrifying! But it's reassuring to remember I don't need to plan every moment of my life in advance. Thanks for writing!
Every post I get something out of it which makes me a better person. Thank you Heidi.
I walk regularly with a group of (elderly) women. We walk in a beautiful park full of exquisite vistas overlooking a lake, through trees full of bird song. Yet, with all this, all I hear is their chatter . No one looks up or around as we find it necessary to "watch our step". I am the annoying one who stops the group with a loud "Look at that!" (up into the canopy, or across the lake) - just to, hopefully, pull them out of themselves for a moment of awareness of where they are. It's an uphill battle.
I am unfortunately a lot like your friends, but I walk with a person who regularly stops me to show me small things, mostly plants, and I have grown as a person from these interruptions. They remind me to begin again.
Yes! Here’s to nothing 🙌 which is everything 🙃 gorgeous as always xx
This resonates so deeply for me. I’m 65, officially retired, and just beginning to allow myself to read a novel during the day. Another great essay!
Right? I think we’re cut from the same cloth, Leyna.
Carl Sagan was one of the greatest deep thinkers of our time; perhaps the only one! Very humbling. The fact is; we are here for one go-around (individually or collectively); and a short one at that, on the cosmic scale. And whatever we may think of the importance of ourselves and what we do in our short little lives, when we cease to exist and are gone for all time forward, we will have made absolutely no contribution or have had even the slightest effect on the Universe. Take in all the Universe has to give you, while you’re still here!
Right on.