Aftershocks of Travel
Or, Incarnations of MyselfÂ
Ever catch yourself feeling sad that the past was a bright, exciting place and the present seems so gray in comparison?
I do.
But even if the past really were that great (and it wasn’t quite what I make it out to be in these moments), it’s a ridiculous thing to get sad about.
That I lived something amazing should be a reason for daily celebration.
Why do we do amazing things, anyway? Certainly not so that the future will seem dull in comparison! No one scales a mountain to be able to say, “Tomorrow will be boring compared to this!”
No!
We do great things to live fully in the moment, to have something splendid to think back on, and to bring the better elements of our experience into our present lives, where they will color our personality and touch everything that we do.
We don’t do them to lament the moments that feel less intense, but to carry more meaning and understanding of the world into everything that surrounds us. To seed each moment with something we have already lived so we may watch it continue to grow with us.
How else can we, ourselves, grow?
Not by mourning the things we used to have, but by integrating everything we’ve had and everyone we’ve been into right now, giving us a lifetime to pull from as we create who we are, from minute to minute, every day.
Tags: 1, after travel, existence, happiness, inspiration, readjusting
bonniecaton
June 19th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Bonnie,
Looking through some old bookmarks and what do you know? An fresh entry!
And there’s no reason you wouldn’t be published – go for it (I think you mean published by 2009, yes?). I get the feeling you and many of your friends are stuck in the, “woops, what happened? i used to have so much fun. now I have to WORK” thing. It has been called “reality shock” but I think that is overstating and missing the point.
I think, as we grow into adult roles we take on new social connections and responsibilities (maybe more than we need to), so childhood “care free” explorations fade a bit. I think the trick is to keep in touch with that exploratory “funny bone.” Life is not all deadlines and responsibility is it? What a drudge! It’s not the destination but the trip – yes?
So, while you want to be published by 2009, is the goal the final glossy product or the fun of figuring out HOW to get published and the exciting people and events along the way? I think I know you enough to say you will have a blast along the way.
My suggestion – you have some wonderful pictures – you have a glorious eye that frames a story. But it’s the story that grabs me. I have heard you talk about the wonder that you FEEL when you have explored new places. When that feeling comes out of the page it gives me goose bumps.
Love you,
-momma
June 19th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Thank you for the long, thoughtful comment, momma!
I’m working on a story for a DC restaurant now… wish me luck!