 |
The back straight brings a need for self-actualisation, inner vision, boldness, for being open to risk. This is life’s essential narrative. To be open to risk has nothing to do with bungee jumping. Risk is a state of mind, an inclination to be inquisitive, bold and courageous in one’s choices and thought processes.
Bob Dyer used to enjoin: “the money or the box”? The box then referred to the thrill of the chase, the unknown. As age progresses that sense of inquiry is essential, but the injunction is now inverted, the box represents possessions. What age requires is freedom to choose which comes with liquidity. Physical assets weigh humans down. Both the body and the soul must be released to float, not be weighed down by possessions.
Acknowledge the inversion to Dyer’s “money or the box” injunction. Sell your house and take the money. Loosen the ties that bind. Uproot.
4 comments:
What money? LOL
I like and agree with your take on this, Julie.
“Risk is a state of mind.” As is age.
I get the impression that since your brothers’ visit, you’ve been doing a bit of soul-searching.
That is one choice. Another form of freedom is to keep the house and allow it to slowly decay around you ... which I think is an entirely acceptable alternative. Our lovely home has gone through that twice ... one family (3 unmarried sisters) stayed 40 years then a younger couple took it over, rejuvenated it, raised their family and stayed 30 years. It's into its third phase now we've been here 16 years and renovated it. It pleases me to be the current steward of this home and I find freedom and contentment in setting down deeper roots in a community.
I seem to be taking an opposite view on all your posts at the moment. I hope you don't mind, I'm finding it interesting to bounce of your ideas to explore my own terrain. In other words your writing is hitting some sort of universal spot.
Joan, it is similar to have a late night discussion in front of a fire over a glass of red? Many people take opposite views to mine!
Vicki, I am not convinced any more that age is a state of mind. Age does bring gradual physical infirmity, which I hasten to add, many people use as an excuse for physical and mental sloppiness!
All, there is one more in this series before I return to fiction. And, yes, they were brought on by the visit of my brothers. However, and this is wierd, I had chosen ALL the images (including the next two) BEFORE they arrived! My younger brother has a heart condition that resulted in an operation in 2008. He now has such an erratic heart (can't spell that other word) that he can fall over when it misses a beat or he can have to lie on the sofa a full day with it chugging along at 170 bpm. He turns 60 in June but is going to work til he is 65, yet he has tons of money to retire this year, especially if he down-sized. I have a friend who is 64 this year and has to keep working for God knows how long because she has insufficient super, yet she refuses to rent or even down-size which would make her as comfortable as me.
I was quite aggitated by the time the boys left. Yet each of the pieces has been like hen's teeth to write, especially this one. I nearly posted all my scratchings which would have indicated my state of mind.
I am better now ... something about drinking horses ...
When I said age was a state of mind, I was actually referring to the mind rather the body. My body started giving up on me at a young age. Thankfully, my mind didn’t.
Post a Comment