An existence bound to an unyielding schedule that leaves no room for happenstance, reduces life to a succession of joyless tasks to be completed as quickly and as efficiently as possible. We are, each of us, advancing towards a common end – the likely termination of our self awareness; our ability to reflect upon ourselves and upon our surroundings. In that context, the journey really does count more than the destination. We should allow ourselves some time to enjoy it – both those moments that are filled with voices, and those moments of silence and apparent stillness.
I was standing in the bread aisle of a supermarket at half-past six in the morning, a few days before Christmas. It had been a good thirty hours since I had last risen from my bed. My mother, who was recovering from a knee replacement, was unspooling an incohesive monologue regarding brioche. On the surface, it was one of those occasions that you want over and done, so you can go home and crawl under the duvet. Maybe it is because I had been stunned into a state of reflection by a lack of sleep, but I remember feeling: 'This is significant; more important than it seems.'
It was nice going along for a walk in Kensal Green Cemetery... and yes, I complete agree that impatience makes us less empathic, and it goes back in some way to something I mentioned in the letters I've been sharing with Lily Dunn, that as humans we are connections, that all relationship is character, and if you hadn't stopped and chatted to that guy at the checkout, where was your character? Where was your relationship? Where was your connection? ...all these things are so vital to life.
What a great way to share, interact with us all. I’m going to try this my next walk...practice a bit first! 😊 sharing is caring and you’ve shown us patience and empathy and your worries about kiddos. So powerful and mesmerizing listening to you. May you all recover soon from the bug! 🫶❤️😊
Isn’t it the best having a cemetery nearby? We live about 1km away and I go almost every day to visit various relatives, all of whom are conveniently buried close to one another.
Perfect. Leah. Perfect. The question is caught up in why are so many of us so self-absorbed that being in a hurry is more important than being human. Friendly. Patient. Love it. Thanks.
This is very wise. I am also very impatient and I am so utterly crap when I send my writing to anyone. Why can't they drop everything and pay attention to me and my words? Is my work not the most gripping thing you have ever read in your life? That's kind of how it goes in my head. I like the idea that impatience leads to lack of empathy. Impatience is a selfish emotion, you're right. Writers need to be particularly skilled at not giving a damn about anything. (I used to live vaguely near Kensal Rise cemetery in Queen's Park - it's lovely round there. )
Thank you, my dear sister in arms, for completely understanding me and utterly confusing me in a single malt through a lovely sanctuary. God bless you should you sneeze.
A story within a story, fab... as a generally impatient person myself, this resonates... thank God I have slowed down a bit as I get older. I can be patient with my kids - now all adults and older teeens - it's just the rest of humanity that goes too slowly...
I think impatience takes us out of the moment and into our heads - all the questions roiling around distract us from opportunities presented to us. Chatting with the cashier, asking how the barista is doing, engaging with the bookshop owner, even commiserating with a dog about the crap weather, anchors us to the here and now. We share our humanity, which is something to treasure.
Be kind to yourself. A good walk, intriguing seemed to do the trick. Watching and waiting for a pot of water to boil doesn't make it go faster. Walking, dancing, painting, ceramics - Anything but writing in this period of waiting can make time move faster like the molecules of boiling water removing thermal energy. 😃
An existence bound to an unyielding schedule that leaves no room for happenstance, reduces life to a succession of joyless tasks to be completed as quickly and as efficiently as possible. We are, each of us, advancing towards a common end – the likely termination of our self awareness; our ability to reflect upon ourselves and upon our surroundings. In that context, the journey really does count more than the destination. We should allow ourselves some time to enjoy it – both those moments that are filled with voices, and those moments of silence and apparent stillness.
I was standing in the bread aisle of a supermarket at half-past six in the morning, a few days before Christmas. It had been a good thirty hours since I had last risen from my bed. My mother, who was recovering from a knee replacement, was unspooling an incohesive monologue regarding brioche. On the surface, it was one of those occasions that you want over and done, so you can go home and crawl under the duvet. Maybe it is because I had been stunned into a state of reflection by a lack of sleep, but I remember feeling: 'This is significant; more important than it seems.'
This is just gorgeous. I actually think you put it better than I did.
It was nice going along for a walk in Kensal Green Cemetery... and yes, I complete agree that impatience makes us less empathic, and it goes back in some way to something I mentioned in the letters I've been sharing with Lily Dunn, that as humans we are connections, that all relationship is character, and if you hadn't stopped and chatted to that guy at the checkout, where was your character? Where was your relationship? Where was your connection? ...all these things are so vital to life.
Yes! Fuck the robots
What a great way to share, interact with us all. I’m going to try this my next walk...practice a bit first! 😊 sharing is caring and you’ve shown us patience and empathy and your worries about kiddos. So powerful and mesmerizing listening to you. May you all recover soon from the bug! 🫶❤️😊
First of all, LOVE your coat!
Isn’t it the best having a cemetery nearby? We live about 1km away and I go almost every day to visit various relatives, all of whom are conveniently buried close to one another.
Hope the you and the boys feel better soon.
Perfect. Leah. Perfect. The question is caught up in why are so many of us so self-absorbed that being in a hurry is more important than being human. Friendly. Patient. Love it. Thanks.
This is very wise. I am also very impatient and I am so utterly crap when I send my writing to anyone. Why can't they drop everything and pay attention to me and my words? Is my work not the most gripping thing you have ever read in your life? That's kind of how it goes in my head. I like the idea that impatience leads to lack of empathy. Impatience is a selfish emotion, you're right. Writers need to be particularly skilled at not giving a damn about anything. (I used to live vaguely near Kensal Rise cemetery in Queen's Park - it's lovely round there. )
Composing, not decomposing, in a grave yard. You've got spunk.
Compose until you decompose— it’s my epitaph!
Thank you, my dear sister in arms, for completely understanding me and utterly confusing me in a single malt through a lovely sanctuary. God bless you should you sneeze.
A story within a story, fab... as a generally impatient person myself, this resonates... thank God I have slowed down a bit as I get older. I can be patient with my kids - now all adults and older teeens - it's just the rest of humanity that goes too slowly...
That was lovely. Hope your kids are better soon and the wait for good news is a short one.
What a soothing place to stroll and think.
I think impatience takes us out of the moment and into our heads - all the questions roiling around distract us from opportunities presented to us. Chatting with the cashier, asking how the barista is doing, engaging with the bookshop owner, even commiserating with a dog about the crap weather, anchors us to the here and now. We share our humanity, which is something to treasure.
How about we chisel this on your marker: Composure Not!
Be kind to yourself. A good walk, intriguing seemed to do the trick. Watching and waiting for a pot of water to boil doesn't make it go faster. Walking, dancing, painting, ceramics - Anything but writing in this period of waiting can make time move faster like the molecules of boiling water removing thermal energy. 😃
You forgot lamp making!
Yes. I’m now seeing the light on that one.