The back of a Lonely Planet book shows someone taking part in the running of the bulls. The caption reads: “Will you have enough stories to tell your grandchildren?”
And the last lines of Mary Oliver’s The Summer Day:
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?
I’ve been thinking a lot about these questions. And I’ve begun to dread the question “What’s new?” Sometimes it feels like I’m at the centre of the universe, but not in a good way. I’m standing still, while everyone around me is moving. I worry that I’m not going to have any stories to tell.
I want a Wild, Wild Life.
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13 comments:
Helen,
Awesome video.
Great choice.
I was just listening to this song on my I-Pod yesterday after raiding my brother's CD collection over Easter break.
I just adore that Mary Oliver poem.
As far as your legacy of stories, your such a great writer I bet you can embelish some.
See? Now this is what I mean. This is a post. From the gut, and well written besides. Great song. And what the hell am I doing with my life, anyway?
Do you think it has anything to do with where you work -- and who you work for? Is it possible there could be two of us at the centre of the universe in this one stinkin' building?
I LOVE this post.
You can start a new life anytime. To begin with, increase your intake of oysters and white wine.
Clearly, more oysters is the LAST thing Helen needs.
How about mushrooms and brown basmati rice? I'm working on an entry for a recipe contest.
You're in good company, Helen. I don't know too many people who think they're maximizing their potential. Quite the contrary! Of course this is no reason to stand still. I've been reading a lot about the power of intention. But it would help if I knew what I wanted.
Helen, Deloney: I suggest we all meet at the bar at Street & Co. in Portland, Maine, and consume oysters (preferably winter point) and white wine. I have done this approximately three times, and I have to say, it does make me feel wilder than usual. (I usually choose a crisp Gavi.)
Good song!
I would definitely be taking a walk on the wild side if I were to consume oysters... mushrooms and brown basmati rice is more my style. I really like the idea of meeting at a bar in Portland, Maine though (or somewhere in Tuscany?), since I know it is definitely not the centre of the universe (unlike the place where Maureen and I work, which might possibly be, or is, at the very least, a black hole) and downing huge quantities of wine. If I'm not having oysters can I make it red?
P.S. Thanks for your comments everyone. May you all have wild wild lives...
Helen, I think I'm ready to start up that sexy flannelet lingerie business. Are you still in?
Definitely! Although, I've been thinking, women's lingerie seems a bit tricky to design. How about a line of sexy flannellette (how do you spell that word?) lingerie for men instead? I can be the fitter. Can you handle sales, marketing, accounting, human resources, design and inventory? That may be a lot, so I can do payroll as well.
LOL. I remember a comic I once saw. A guy sat behind a desk, in the middle of which was a pile of something dark and steaming (I'm trying to be delicate). A second guy is zipping up his pants while he walks out the office door. The guy behind the desk says, "I'll also need that resignation in writing."
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