Tags
blogging101, Journaling, Mark Twain, Quotes, Reflections, Uncategorized, Writing 101, Writing Prompts
My apologies to gcarmack over at Don’t Judge a Book By Its Movie for not getting my third quote up yesterday for the Quote Challenge. I was fairly discombobulated by the election and totally spaced off a LOT of stuff I was supposed to do yesterday! Sigh… (rolls eyes) 4:30 this morning I woke up and thought, “Oh crap! I forgot a post!” It’s 5:27, so without FURTHER delay, here goes!
It was best, I think, that I forgot this post because last night I was struggling with a lot of things besides the election results. I was struggling with the lack of “digging around in my heart cave” as I’ve done for the last several years, a theme of my blog. I had come to the conclusion that I’d found all the relevant “pieces of me” and was in the process of restoring myself to a better version of who I am. But I think I may have miscalculated just how “integral” or maybe “addictive” the process had become for me.
I had decided it was time to let it go now and make a point of living in the moment. But I find that I am feeling somewhat anxious all the time now. I’ve been getting agitated more easily, more emotional, and my mind feels full of “stuff” like a cluttered attic, yet I’m having a hard time sitting down and writing ANYTHING. And I’m not sure what that’s all about.
But lying there thinking about a quote post for today, I remembered something Mark Twain once said (I love that guy!). He said:
Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.
And I’m wondering if what I’m feeling is something like that. One thing’s for certain, I’m just spinnin’ my wheels in my life right now. Can’t make decisions, am disinclined to do even the things I like doing like getting out of the house and going to visit my shut-ins from church. So what did Mark Twain mean?
My illusions are based on my perceptions of reality, and I’m wondering if I’ve spent so much time questioning my reality that I’ve begun to question virtually everything around me. Have I, instead of “finding myself”, really “lost myself” again? Am I, in some strange flip-flop way, out of touch with who I am? Has the “fabric” of my life started to unravel?
Drollery has noticed a change in me the last couple months. He says I’m more unsettled, and I can’t claim it’s all the election coverage because it started before that. Something happened when I “abandoned my dig”, though I’m not sure what. And I’m not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing — or if it’s just different and I’ve gotta get used to it.
Be that as it may, Mark Twain’s quote has given me a place to start to unravel my unraveling! And I have no idea what I’ll find at the end of that ball of yarn…
Is it possible that just having a QUEST is what keeps life interesting for me?
Thanks again to gcarmack for throwing this challenge my way. As always quotes are a great peek into a person’s heart!
`
`
Picture Credit: The Inquisitr
I’m kinda feeling discombobulated too – something in the ethers ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would say it’s the change of seasons, but I have a feeling it’s more than that. My energy is scattered rather badly…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree – there’s a lot of heavy duty energy bombarding the earth now. It’s good but as with any change it takes a while for the turbulence to settle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it is quite common to lose ourselves. I know I do, every few years. I think it gives me a chance to take stock and reinvent myself if need be. Maybe your unsettled feelings are because you now have this energy, the energy you previously devoted to digging, running around without a clear direction?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kelly, that’s a very good point! I guess I really do need to find a new quest, don’t I! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
in my opinion having illusions is fine as long as one can remember that they are illusions…it is when we slip into complacency and think our projections and constructions are actually tangible realities. monks of all faiths retreat to monasteries for a reason…to escape having to deal with the realities of surviving day to day in what constitutes society,
LikeLiked by 1 person
should have read “….are actually realities that bad things start to happen.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I hear you on that one. Sometimes a monastery or a convent for a year or so sounds like a really good idea… 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a book that compiles the journals of the monk Thomas Merton for each day of the year
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000U913P2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
life in a monastery outside Louisville. well worth the read. he went through many bouts of doubt and discombobulation in trying to align his practice of faith with the world around him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
on a personal side note: the reason i “discovered” the book was the photograph they used for the cover caught my eye as i was walking to the cash register with another book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just put it on my wish list at amazon so I won’t forget it. Thanks so much, Douglas! It sounds right up my alley. I’m sort of flailing about right now. And I love the serendipitous way you found it. Those are always the best finds. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m sorry, but every word beyond “discombobulated by the election” disappeared into the ether of my mind and i had to go back and read and re-read again and again. 🙂 Sounds like I’ve caught something from you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So what’s going on, Clare? House problems?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, just writers block. Did you hear the sad news about Leonard Cohen?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I heard it last night. I’m so glad Plato introduced me to him before he passed on. Boy! He was recording right to the very end! Just released a new album!
LikeLike
Sounds like something is brewing in you. I think having a quest or project is important. I complain about various quests I begin, but really, I need them to feel purposeful. Thanks for the contact earlier – I nearly missed it in my emails. I was sad to read that and I hope there’s nothing to worry about 😦 In times like this everyone needs to pull together. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true… I guess I also need to come up with another quest, eh? 🙂
LikeLike
All life is a journey with no end. It’s living the journey that is important.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think my mistake was I thought maybe I had arrived… 😦
LikeLike
This is what I meant to say.
Socrates said, “Wisdom begins with wonder.” I believe that wonder stems from illusion/imagination, that wonder leads to happiness. I am happy; therefore, imagination and illusion touches me. If they touche me, they both must be very real.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s certainly something worth pondering. I wonder what happens to our sense of wonder as we get older — well SOME of us! LOL
LikeLike
Sorry for typos. Please, if you want to, fix them and delete this message. Sorry. I am a boob.
LikeLike
Finding leads to losing. Losing lets you find. Living leads to dying and life leves death behind. Living leads to dying, that’s all that I can say. But no-one will find life in any other way. Ken Medema
LikeLiked by 1 person
So it’s just a continuous circle, eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have to see when we get there. 🙂 but you can step out of the loop at any time for a break if you want, rest up then go play some more.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think much of the world is feeling a little discombobulated right now! An interesting quote – new one on me – the meaning of which I don’t think I’ve quite grasped yet, but will think on it. I do think a QUEST can give life interest and meaning, but you are of course the only one who can know when/if it’s time to dig again. Blessings to you and yours, Harula xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the quote, Harula. And I ADORED your music blog post! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool, I’ll have a ponder… 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person