Self, 2010We are constantly evolving. Everything we observe, create, and think adds another layer to who we are. I often imagine that person I want to become, the little old me. Who is she? Are the decisions I'm making helping me become her? All of the books I read, films I watch, people with whom I share my time, even meals I prepare--all of these things are shaping who she will be. It's nice to think about having so much control. I'm really shaping her. It's not just fate.
Beautiful photo and very interesting post.
ReplyDeleteNot fate but you "in control" shaping yourself/oneself...that is pretty powerful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Denise for the reminder...
-that was lovely and uplifting.
this is so true and i think of it often. i also think of how different i am now than say i was in my early twenties. lovely photo, too.
ReplyDeleteAs that what you might call purposeful living? I love the feeling that I am in control over my destiny. I realize, of course, that I don't have control over everything, but I know I am the one that makes the choices. Also, great photo, are you growing something?
ReplyDeleteA good life is all about good choices. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteSociety is full of mindless consumerism. Thank you for reminding me to mindfully choose that which mold me.
ReplyDeleteIt becomes exciting to think of ourselves this way. Beautiful thoughts and photograph.
ReplyDeletesometimes I like to think about it in reverse, stripping away the layers, or sculpting a rough stone into something smooth and radiant, something already in the stone, waiting to be revealed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to think about. Choices and decisions constantly changing who we are.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Such a good reminder to live with intention.
ReplyDeletei love this. i completely agree and dwell on it often, especially lately. also, the photo is so delicate and gorgeous. and fits perfectly in this post.
ReplyDeletei never thought of this that way...but i´m starting now...it feels good
ReplyDeleteAh yes. The Who Is She question!!! I ask that one all the time, and like you, I think I have all the control if I allow myself to take it. Really interesting how you don't figure that out until you are a bit, ahem, older :)
ReplyDeleteNix, Thanks.
ReplyDeleteCamilla, You are quite welcome.
shari, Some days I think about how much I've changed and other days I feel just like my 4 year-old self. I suppose both are true.
Annje, Yes, I believe it is purposeful living. Too bad I don't always remember my purpose. I know we don't have control over everything, that would be boring, but we do control quite a bit. I accidentally amputated a stem from one of my plants while dusting and I'm trying to allow it to grow roots so I can put it back into some soil. It's taken a while, but it's working!
Michele, Thank you.
Stacy, You are welcome. I will continue to remind myself as well.
alexandria, I agree. Thank you.
nancy, I've never thought of aging quite this way. I like your perspective. It does match the way I feel more like my little girl self now than I did in my teens and twenties. I was more interested in conforming back then. It's nice to move past that phase.
Jane, Thanks.
Jessica, Sometimes it's tough to remember to think this way, but I always come back to it.
Tumbleweed Woman, And just think of how your experience in Antarctica will add to your life. I love your sense of adventure.
wsake, I'm glad it feels good. It's a pretty empowering thought.
Raina, Yes, it does take a while to figure it all out and then there is the remembering what you've learned. We are always evolving, right? And when we're 80 we'll look back and say I can't believe I thought I was "older" back then.
What a lovely image, and what interesting and beautiful words. I really love the last line...
ReplyDeleteI love the workings of your mind...
ReplyDeleteYou make my mind twist in different ways.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, both the photo and the words. And my twitchy fingers on the control knobs of life - sometimes I think I'm in the driver's seat and sometimes.... I'm definitely not.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said and thought.
ReplyDeletePerfect photo: roots in water.
what a lovely post. so reflective and warm. happy day to you.
ReplyDeleteI agree - it's definitely not just fate. Beautifully expressed.
ReplyDeletexoox,
-maria
Indie.Tea, Thank you.
ReplyDeleteKim, Thank you. I hope different in a good way.
mosey, There are certainly things that are out of our hands. It is good to recognize when that is the case.
Elisabelle, Thanks. I've enjoyed watching them grow.
Katrina, Thanks. Happy day (evening) to you too.
Maria, It is nice to know we have some say, isn't it?
i often find
ReplyDeleteit a little scary.
i wonder
if i was
a better person
then...
beautiful photo.
bugheart, Wow, I hope that's not how either of us end up feeling. A scary thought, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI love the notion that we are recreating ourselves all the time. It's such a hopeful notion. And I think we do become the product of our moments. I wish we could erase more of what we build on though. I think we become a manuscript with new stories that are written over top of what came before. There's always a new story to be read, but with careful scrutiny, the pencil etchings of earlier stories can be picked out beneath the newest stories. mmmm.
ReplyDeletelife without mathematics, It is a hopeful notion. Thank you for bringing me back to these thoughts today.
ReplyDelete