Simply Being | Simple Being

Category: This-That (page 27 of 234)

Jan 1, 2017

Because there is so much to be said, and my heart is eager to express, but I feel held back, nervous, pessimistic. It is a funny-scary-joyful-sad experience.

I often think that the process of writing is far more important than its results.

So I am posting this lovely gem of a poem.

Hoping that I will draw courage from these words, come back to this space, and write bravely.

 

“Young Poets”

Write as you will
In whatever style you like
Too much blood has run under the bridge
To go on believing
That only one road is right.

In poetry everything is permitted.

With only this condition of course,
You have to improve the blank page.

Nicanor Parra

(trans. by Miller Williams)

Community, Solo

The last time I spoke with my sister, she brought up the topic of urban loneliness. Perhaps it is a recent phenomenon. It is fairly common for educated people in the developed world (any other qualifiers needed?) to have a large social network but not many close friends. Am I overstating it? Let’s rephrase. Not many people belong to communities any more. Ahh, that does not sound “proper” either. I think what I am trying (and so hard) to say is my own story.

These days, we hear a lot about the importance of social connection, community, and positive social interactions, all of which are linked to good health, longevity, mental fitness, and many other you-can-read-about-it-online benefits. Yes, I can see how that might be true. But what does one do when she isn’t particularly inclined to go join a community, engage in social interactions? What if she has to force herself to go to social gatherings and form connections?

Now, I wasn’t always like this. Or maybe I was. Maybe I wasn’t particularly enthused about social interactions and connections and gatherings but I went along, like a sporting person, gamely participating in all that stuff. And now, maybe I am finally acknowledging that I am not a fan. I prefer solitude, quiet time, less talk. But if I don’t bother engaging with others, how can I partake of the benefits of community? How do I ensure that I remain mentally fit, free of inflammation and hypertension, loneliness and other ailments?

I can only hope that when I am in that kind of a situation, I will have the strength/ability to reach out. And a hand will reach out and grasp mine in return, no questions asked.

(Not having a child sometimes makes you think of the future in all sorts of dark, grim ways.)

No Influence

Over the years, it has become clear to me that I have little to no influence on anyone except myself. In a direct way, that is.

I may be in conversation with a friend, a parent, a sibling… and the topic turns to health or fitness. I might have something meaningful to contribute too. But it seems like all my useful/helpful advice hits a stone wall, and that is the beginning/end of it. Personal autonomy is terribly important, and understanding the seemingly immovable nature of another’s opinion makes you sweat less.

Yes, it would be really beneficial to consult a naturopath, or rub warm castor oil on your sore shoulder, or reduce carb intake, or start on a routine of Sun Salutations, or… Yes, it would be helpful. But you think about it, make your own choice.

End of Year Thoughts

What a year it has been. Previously unimagined events have come to pass, and you know exactly what I am talking about. It has been exhausting on so many levels; the endless stream of news and updates and feeds and posts and… And here we are, at the end of it all, bracing for a new President. It is depressing.

Each time I come to this space, I have a point to make. I have it semi-made in my head, and I am waiting for the words and phrases to cooperate, so it all comes together beautifully on the page. I suppose I want it to look like I have it figured out.

It is a far cry from my early days of blogging, when I wrote with happy abandon, aware that there was hardly anyone reading. Ahh, that changed, and so did I. Self-consciousness is the death knell of any artist, and I (no artist) am no exception.

Well, if I have a resolution for 2017, it is this. To write with fearlessness and vulnerability and openness and gay, happy abandon.