A difference shows itself: first as a small crack spreading from end to end on the pavement; then widening, the earth opening a mouth. We argue lovingly about time well spent. One exhausted, the other energetic
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The only thing I'd throw into the mix is that sometimes what might be the detritus of our actions/efforts/intentions is just what someone or something else needs. All things are interconnected, and we don't always get to see in what ways that's the case. In some instances, I can't help thinking it's like trying to solve an algebra equation with a shitload of variables (capital, lower-case, and Greek) and only getting to see perhaps a quarter to a third of them at a time....
Absolutely. This follows very closely with the saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." What I leave in my wake is precisely what someone needs. I believe the universe is almost flawless that way. And I love the algebra analogy. I hadn't thought of it those terms, but I totally agree (except that a quarter of the variables seems like an awful lot). At least I know what variables I have control over: my actions, and nothing else. I know I have little to nothing to do with my creativity, and I don't know for sure that I can say that I "came up with" any particular thought. It all arrives in front of me, and I decide whether to act upon it or not (the decision itself also being an action) with love or fear. Ad mortum.
...(except that a quarter of the variables seems like an awful lot).
The reason I say that is based on the assumption of having some degree of self-awareness and varying awareness/understanding of the other(s) involved in the situation. In some cases, a fair chunk of the equation seems clear to me. In others, I feel lucky to have much of a handle at all on even a couple of variables. What really gets screwy is when my perceptions in regard to how much I see/understand are off. Still, I've found it to be a useful metaphor, especially in terms of a clear understanding of the limits of our power, perception....and what we are and aren't responsible for.
I understand what you mean about the limited/minimal responsibility for creativity, too. I feel more comfortable saying something occurred to me or came to mind rather than I "came up with" or "invented" it. While it may be true that on some level I did actually "come up with" something, because it's so out of my conscious awareness and control I don't feel right taking credit for
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The only thing I'd throw into the mix is that sometimes what might be the detritus of our actions/efforts/intentions is just what someone or something else needs. All things are interconnected, and we don't always get to see in what ways that's the case. In some instances, I can't help thinking it's like trying to solve an algebra equation with a shitload of variables (capital, lower-case, and Greek) and only getting to see perhaps a quarter to a third of them at a time....
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And I love the algebra analogy. I hadn't thought of it those terms, but I totally agree (except that a quarter of the variables seems like an awful lot). At least I know what variables I have control over: my actions, and nothing else. I know I have little to nothing to do with my creativity, and I don't know for sure that I can say that I "came up with" any particular thought. It all arrives in front of me, and I decide whether to act upon it or not (the decision itself also being an action) with love or fear. Ad mortum.
Reply
The reason I say that is based on the assumption of having some degree of self-awareness and varying awareness/understanding of the other(s) involved in the situation. In some cases, a fair chunk of the equation seems clear to me. In others, I feel lucky to have much of a handle at all on even a couple of variables. What really gets screwy is when my perceptions in regard to how much I see/understand are off. Still, I've found it to be a useful metaphor, especially in terms of a clear understanding of the limits of our power, perception....and what we are and aren't responsible for.
I understand what you mean about the limited/minimal responsibility for creativity, too. I feel more comfortable saying something occurred to me or came to mind rather than I "came up with" or "invented" it. While it may be true that on some level I did actually "come up with" something, because it's so out of my conscious awareness and control I don't feel right taking credit for
Reply
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