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But it is inscribed on the heart, and with each beat and with each new thought, it changes shape and destination.
We have little trouble deciding when something ended. We have much more difficulty seeing when it began.
Most of us can recognize the end of a thing (be it relationship or health) from a mile away.
But the beginning always slips up on us, lulling us into thinking what we're living through is yet another moment, in yet another day.
Life is not a book. We know when a book starts: the first page.
But life has stages, and each stage is sneaky. It begins without announcement, and it is almost over before we realize what name it had.
You realized you've grown but not quite sure into what. There are no experts in life's beginnings. We are all green.
Just when we have mastered the technique of a stage, we are catapaulted into another, having to learn its rules from scratch.
We are always rookies it seems.
You're out of your teens before you realize how best to be a teenager.
You break your heart, getting into relationships before you realize there are no rules ... only regard and respect for one another.
Your health is gone before you realize how best to preserve it. You are old before you realize you never enjoyed being who you were.
So whatever crossroads you find yourself at:
enjoy the moment. It won't come again.
The answers will only be found in retrospect, and then, they will no longer do you any good.
Be kind to one another. Be kind to yourself. And laugh, sowing seeds of laughter among others as you go.
Sometimes Being is better than Knowing.
“Every phrase and every sentence is an end and a beginning, every poem an epitaph.”
― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets
'Every beginning is always a sequel,
ReplyDeleteafter all, and the book of events is
always open half-way though'
-Wislawa Szymborska-
Elephant's Child:
ReplyDeleteLet us hope so. :-)
Though we might not always have a starring role. Which is fine.
ReplyDeleteLove the quote Roland. So true that it's hard to know when something begins. Often it's only when we look back that we realize when something began.
ReplyDeleteVery philosophical. Enjoyed your take on the prompt. And thank you for writing for WEP.
Denise
Sometimes, Roland, you remind us of great truths:"So whatever crossroads you find yourself at:
ReplyDeleteenjoy the moment. It won't come again."
There are many songs about crossroads, and they turn up in many stories. Enjoyed your post!
I'm posting on Wednesday.
Beautifully expressed, hauntingly true.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Elephant's Child:
ReplyDeleteI believe the secondary characters in many movies are often the most heroic as in Samwise of LOTR. :-)
Denise:
I will always support you. :-) Instinct just told me this was what I should write.
D.G.:
My story that was accepted into an anthology that was canceled was THE CROSSROADS BLUES (a story set in Meilori's, of course!)
This weekend drained me so that I thought tomorrow WAS the 22nd! Oops. My heart, if not my mind, was in the right place! :-) I will read your post Wednesday.
Arlee:
Those words of yours mean a lot to me.
Yeah, those sneaky stages...
ReplyDeleteNow you have me wondering which stage of life have you been catapulted into. So true. Life always sneaks up on us.
ReplyDeleteAlex:
ReplyDeleteI've found that life as a whole is sneaky!
Scheherazade:
Your namesake appears in my LAST EXIT TO BABYLON! :-)
Lamont Cranston told me to always leave folks guessing.
It worked for him but he knew what evil lurks in the hearts of men! LOL.
Thanks for visiting and staying to talk awhile.
Truth. A good way to start the new year, being truthful to oneself. This was a good reminder and an interesting way to look not only at life, but writing as well. Thank you.
ReplyDelete"The answers will only be found in retrospect, and then, they will no longer do you any good."
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth! Loved this post even the melancholy tone. Where's that time machine when you need it - of course I'm talking about the one that shaves off the years, but lets you keep the knowledge! LOL
January 23rd, 2014
ReplyDeleteDear Roland,
You write clearly and consisely about the painful truths of life.
I take my hat off to you Roland.
Best wishes,
Anna
January 23rd, 2014
ReplyDeleteDear Roland,
Sometimes, you remind me of my father. He could say things like this. It makes me want to cry. Because I can only think of him in retrospect.
Anna
Lisa:
ReplyDeleteOr as much of the truth as we can see, right? And thank you for visiting and talking awhile.
Yolanda:
Yes, life gives the test and only afterwards do we get the lesson! Sorry about the melancholy tone -- two cancerous growths on the face will do it every time. :-(
Anna:
Your father lives on in your heart and in your love for him. I am sorry I was almost the cause of tears. Do not be a stranger, hear? :-)
Only happy tears, Roland! I'm so glad that you are alive and can write down and share your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteAnna
Good philosophies to live by and remember. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
ReplyDelete......dhole
HI, Roland,
ReplyDeleteLOVED the quote for T. S. So true!
Yes, you are so right in your observations. I always feel like I'm getting catapulted into new situations just as I am feeling secure.
That is life.
And, yes, we must live and enjoy each moment because they are so fleeting.
A lovely post reminding us to enjoy our lives. Good luck with your medical issues. My thoughts are with you often.
ReplyDeleteJen:
ReplyDeleteGood to see you here. Have a warmer time of it. :-)
Donna:
Wise? Me? I'm otherwise!
Michael:
Always a rookie that's me. May your New Year be successful!
Sally:
Having to work and feel a time bomb ticking away inside me is proving to be a challenge. Thanks for being concerned.
Hi Roland.
ReplyDeleteI'm late in getting to some of the January WEP participants... but I'm so glad I popped in.
Beautiful. Melancholic. It stirs the soul...
Thank you for sharing.
God bless you. Take care of yourself Roland. You are in my thoughts and prayers...