"Time is a figure eight, at its center the city of Deja Vu."
"Why try to explain miracles to your kids when you can just have them plant a garden."
"An optimist is someone who thinks that things may be spinning into control."
"As an American, I do wonder where the country is going, especially when the President flies over in Handbasket One."
"Shall I redirect my life's journey because down some sideroad might be some trifle I'm entitled to?
"We are kept from our goal not by obstacles but by a clear path to a lesser goal."
"Am I some ant that I should drop what I have gathered to pursue every crumb in my path?"
"You know you're seriously trailing the pack when its leader comes up behind you, taps you on the shoulder and asks directions."
"I have been led up many a garden path but never more pleasurably than by a child. With such joy is the surprise sprung. With such delight my gullibility uncovered. I am happily the wiser for these trips up a garden path. I continue to learn stuff."
"Why be saddled with this thing called life expectancy? Of what relevance to an individual is such a statistic? Am I to concern myself with an allotment of days I never had and was never promised? Must I check off each day of my life as if I am subtracting from this imaginary hoard? No, on the contrary, I will add each day of my life to my treasure of days lived. And with each day, my treasure will grow, not diminish."
~ Robert Brault
14 comments:
What a jam-packed post, full of tasty morsels!
I loved the visual of time as a figure eight (infinity) with the City of Deja Vu at its center!
The quotes on keeping to your goals and not getting sidetracked by the bling in life were good reminders, and very well said.
And the last one..."No, on the contrary, I will add each day of my life to my treasure of days lived. And with each day, my treasure will grow, not diminish." This seriously brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful way of looking at it. I was feeling panicky recently because my daughter will be 26 shortly, my firstborn. I was stunned to think that in another one of her lifetimes, I will be 75. The first 26 years went by in a whoosh! I can only expect the next 26 years to be even whooshier. But this puts it into perspective for me. My treasure will grow, not diminish.
Oh Robert, why can't you be president? :)
Hi Robert
Your last quote is really making me think of how I could appreciate my growing treasure more. In my diary I have each year written down up to age 75 and on the opposite side there is a list of things I'd like to achieve. I'm saddled in to this life expectancy thing and I don't even realise it.
Like Randi, I also like the obstacles to your goal quote. I'm seriously thinking about that one too.
Welcome back Robert.
What a novel way of telling us all you are 49 Randi. Oh to be that age again.
Randi,
Thanks and Hi again. As the years go by, the extrapolations become more than stunning, they become surreal. You will be every bit as keen for life at 75 as you are today, and your extrapolation will take you to 127! But I can almost guarantee that it will not bother you. Sanity requires that we alter our perspective -- and we do. We become completely unconcerned about the years left to us; they seem entirely adequate. There is little sense that time is running out. This happens automatically, as a function of age, so my "wisdom" is really not required by the old (and is not relevant to the young)so I guess it's directed to folks like you, just awakening to their years and perhaps needing a gentle push toward a new perspective.
smiles,
rb
Ken: Why, you are very tricksy! Yes, I am 49. But only until I turn 50.
Robert: Well and beautifully said.
Ken,
"Things To Do" through age 75? Wow! You are on a treadmill, my friend. You must dread the rising sun.
Kidding, of course, because this doesn't seem to square with your plans. "Become a full-time artist in Brittany" seems to be an adequate "To Do" on anyone's list. I trust that the rest of your list consists of "paintings to paint" and not "cesspools to dig", although I understand the requirement for the latter.
Welcome back Robert, I for one missed your sage thoughts.
I too loved the last quote and it struck home with me also, I have caught myself saying things like I have ___ years left if I'm lucky. I will no longer say that I will just cherish the day at hand and gather my treasures. If I slip back into my old habit and just reread this post.
Lovely. For me, the quote about the pleasure of learning with and from a child is beautiful. That's where my life is right now - lots of time with sweet little ones and loving every minute. Thank you!
Thanks for giving me lots to think about.....even your comment to Randi.
Marlene, Liz
Thanks. In drafting responses to your comments, I find that I've written a short essay on the art of extracting a "life" from a "lifetime." I'll save it for another day.
Jan,
Thanks for noticing that one. You're right, we never enter a child's world without learning something.
smiles,
rb
I am all the 'richer' for having stopped here, once again ~ Thank you so much... They are each becoming a favorite.
All the best as you seek The Best ~ Maria
a ps. from my husband ...
I read your quotes and comments aloud to my husband, Chris, and he appreciated them as well.
When I got to this reply from you to Ken...
"I trust that the rest of your list consists of 'paintings to paint' and not "cesspools to dig", although I understand the requirement for the latter."
I turned to Chris and winked after I read :cesspools to dig: since he LOVES finding projects that require digging.
and then he said, "EXACTLY," when I read... "...although I understand the requirement for the latter."
The boys win on that one, I guess.
Maria,
I've often driven by your neck of the woods enroute to Saratoga. I've wondered what people do in the Greater Albany-Schenectady area for amusement. Now I know -- dig holes and read Robert Brault quotes aloud to each other. You guys owe yourselves a Saturday night out in Clifton Park.
smiles,
rb
Oh, I love a quiet night!
Last week, we spent a day at Glimmerglass State Park... Did you ever go there? It's close to Cooperstown and just beautiful.
Chris actually just got back from a glorious time in the Adirondacks with our son. They camped on one of the remote islands. I posted a few of their pictures in my online Gratitude journal. It's meteorite showers time and a remote island with no lights is perfect for viewing.
A few restaurants that we've been to recently are Aroma d'Italia in Guilderland and DeJohn's in Albany. Both delish!
Have a great weekend ~ Maria
Maria, thanks for the tips. You do realize I was kidding, I hope. Joan and I have spent many happy moments in and around Lake George, at Lake Placid and Whiteface, Saranac etc. We never go to Saratoga without tooling up to Galway to check out her childhood camp on the lake. The best pizza we've ever found is at a place in East Galway on the road from Saratoga to Galway.
smiles,
rb
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