My deep thought for the day

[theatokos]

Sometimes I feel strapped for time. Not in the "I have a deadline and so many things to do in only two days" kind of way. More like, I've finished the first third of my life (or so) and what have I to show for it? I don't know why this has been plaguing the recesses of my mind lately. Maybe it's because I know that administration is not my life's calling and I'm itching to get back to the work that gets my heart and soul and brain stirred up. This is why sometimes it's good to read obituaries.

Today in my hometown paper I read about a respected Alaskan artist who died at 92. Turns out she didn't start art classes until she was 39. My first thought was not "I have time!" it was "What a rich life a person can live when they don't stop at 28 or 35 or 40 and think 'That's it. I've reached my peak.'" It's good to remember that our lives are really mysteries unfolding before us each day. Who knows what new turns or twists lay up ahead? Who knows what I'll be known for when I kick off in my 90s? I sure hope it's for more than administration or the list of "survived by".

I am confident it will be.

Comments

[eelsalad.livejournal.com]

Yes yes yes to all of this!

Hear hear

[hrafntinna.livejournal.com]

Yes! Yes. I get bothered by these thoughts too, but on other days (sadly fewer days) I am amazed by the things that have happened in my life. On the one hand, I didn't get out of school before I was 33 years old, a third of that time spent in slooooooow graduate study that drove my father crazy, and that can make a person feel like she is running out of time. On the other hand, I learned two ridiculous languages as an adult, and I carry out credible scholarship in a field where many of my colleagues are native speakers of those languages.

I also celebrated my 34th birthday in one of those languages and among people I could not possibly have imagined knowing 11 years ago.

Re: Hear hear

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

It's pretty incredible what you've accomplished. I can only hope that I can be half as good a scholar as you. And who knows, where your art will take you? It's a refreshing burst of perspective to realize that my life as it is now may not be my life always and doesn't have to be it I don't want it to.

It's also a reminder to look back and be grateful for my twisty path thus far. I've been able to live on 3 three continents, I've seen a hefty chunk of North America, I've met amazing people..... that's pretty cool.