Here on the ranch, there is a lot of time for idle thought. Lately, I have been driving around in my little orange Kubota 4x4 checking and feeding the cattle and I keep finding my mind wander to that well known quote from John Donne of, "No man is an island", because I often think that actually the reverse is true. Ten miles off the pavement and disconnected from the electric company and cable tv, I often feel like I am an island! I entered this world alone and I will exit singular as well, as we all will, so in that respect perhaps it is more correct to say, all men are an island! Or as some other famous person said, "just ships passing in the night". But to stick with the island analogy, each one of us will have many unique treasures that will wash up on our shores and cast off from our island of self we will send out treasures as well. Treasures to love and enjoy and some that will have to be disposed of in the dump! It is our own personal, individual choice what to do with these treasures. This I find empowering and exhilarating, as well as a bit terrifying. What to chose and what not; what to send and what to keep? Ultimately, this gift of choice I see coming from the hand of God and is a big part of what it means to be human. What do you think?
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Island Living
Here on the ranch, there is a lot of time for idle thought. Lately, I have been driving around in my little orange Kubota 4x4 checking and feeding the cattle and I keep finding my mind wander to that well known quote from John Donne of, "No man is an island", because I often think that actually the reverse is true. Ten miles off the pavement and disconnected from the electric company and cable tv, I often feel like I am an island! I entered this world alone and I will exit singular as well, as we all will, so in that respect perhaps it is more correct to say, all men are an island! Or as some other famous person said, "just ships passing in the night". But to stick with the island analogy, each one of us will have many unique treasures that will wash up on our shores and cast off from our island of self we will send out treasures as well. Treasures to love and enjoy and some that will have to be disposed of in the dump! It is our own personal, individual choice what to do with these treasures. This I find empowering and exhilarating, as well as a bit terrifying. What to chose and what not; what to send and what to keep? Ultimately, this gift of choice I see coming from the hand of God and is a big part of what it means to be human. What do you think?
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Sounds like you're thinking sbout men, and ships, and islands!!?! A little ennui goes a long way... but I think that free choice, and living a life of ease contribute. Then again, I love the way you think, whatever the trigger. P.S. (idleness??? On a ranch??)
ReplyDeleteMy Dad wisely often says to me, "Relationship, relationship, relationship." The only true treasure there is; the rest is just stuff.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I am still thinkin on this Island idea. I think Annette's idea of the treasure in relationship being of importance is so true. While no other human being can really know us or be intrinsically a part of us the relating of one to the other does indeed change us and we carry this change forever. Sometimes in beautiful ways, but also sometimes with ugly scars that can mellow with time. In this way, John Donne's quote is very apt. Whatever we do does indeed have a ripple effect in others lives. Hmmm.
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