Another year draws towards its conclusion. Like many, I find myself looking back to contemplate what was achieved, what were the obstacles and the insights. Every year is full of them, and as the years progress they will all stack against each other and hopefully amount to something.
A life lived.
I realise that I have been somewhat remiss in giving my blog terribly much attention this year. Writing for me comes in waves and most of my energies have been concentrated elsewhere. But to the three of you that read my postings (hi Tony), I apologise for dropping the ball.
But why write a blog at all?
Well... I love words and the potential that they hold as a form of communication and a method of delivering something poetic to the world. Writing is also a powerful way for me to clarify my thoughts and to see things externally that come from within. I like to ponder and attempt to translate a journey of ideas into words. I like to share with others and to think that some of my musings might be of interest or relevance to them. I recognise that this may be an indulgence on my part and I say this not to fish for compliments but to consider further what may motivate me and millions of others to publish their amateur scribblings online. Perhaps it is the same desperate quest for recognition that motivates the posting of glamorous selfies, holiday snaps, intelligent sounding comments on status feeds, tweets etc etc.
I cannot speak for anyone else but when I think about it for myself, I realise that it is a longing to be known by others in a way that is not superficial or facile. And, I would like my presence on this earth to be of value. To be of use.
When we look out to the enormity of the cosmos or back at our home via photographs taken from space, it is terribly apparent that we are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. This knowledge is both wondrous and intolerable. To be honest, I don't know what to make of it. But even though I am aware that my life has ant like significance, there is still this need to create, to achieve, to evolve, to learn, to contribute and hopefully to lessen the frequency of my fuck ups with each passing year...
So, good bye 2013 and bring on the next. There is still plenty of work to be done.
May 2014 be a rich one. May it bring us all a sense of purpose and the means to realise our potential. But may we achieve these things with a sense of lightheartedness because god knows it all gets a bit serious at times. Let's face it, neither the micro-organisms at our feet or the hydrogen gases forming stars millions of light years away, give a stuff.
Most of my fantasies are of
To be of use
To be of some hard
Simple
Undeniable use
Like a spindle
Like a candle
Like a horseshoe
Like a corkscrew*
*"To Be Of Use" by Smog from the album: Red Apple Falls
Above artwork by Michael Snape
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAxGdWdXA5w
