Monday, October 26, 2009

A Thought for Our Friends in Transition

'The world is round, and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.'
--Ivy Baker Priest, who may have been an obscure mid-century political figure, but who evidently understood some important things about life.

9 Comments:

At 9:58 AM, Blogger Jim Murdoch said...

Beginnings and endings are such human concepts. We have such a finite view of life, everything in its neat little box: this is mine, that is yours. We think it's orderly and it is, in an artificial sense. And yet when we get to the end of a book we want more; the end gets in the way.

 
At 10:29 AM, Blogger Art Durkee said...

We do construct narratives to make life seem orderly to ourselves. At the same time, when everyone you know is dying, and you yourself are sick as crap, it's hard NOT to feel as though everything was ending; even if you know better.

 
At 10:32 AM, Blogger John Ettorre said...

Thanks, guys. Yes, I was going to respond to Jim's point with something pretty close to what Art said: that when one is out of a job (along with millions of others) they're not generally in a position to think calmly and rationally. How's the economy in Scotland, Jim. I'd love to hear your first-hand report.

 
At 10:37 AM, Blogger Pat Washington said...

:-) Thanks, John.

By the way, my email is acting quirky this a.m. and I haven't been able to respond to your note. Give me just a bit.

 
At 10:39 AM, Blogger John Ettorre said...

This works just as well as email. Got it.

 
At 10:58 AM, Blogger Jim Murdoch said...

I live a fairly insular life, John, so I have no great insights. I see shops closing down the town but that's about it. I watch the news and it seems pretty bleak out there. If the numbers mean anything to you here's a link to a BBC article on Scotland's current economic decline.

 
At 10:59 AM, Blogger John Ettorre said...

Thanks, Jim. And of course I do know you're proudly insular, being a regular reader of your blog.

 
At 10:25 PM, Anonymous Sherri Henkin said...

You find the most interesting quotes and fascinating people (enjoyed reading about Ivy). Transitions are just that - a place to begin again. I'm beginning to think that being "in transition" is a desired state of being!

 
At 10:42 PM, Blogger John Ettorre said...

Glad you're looking at it that way, Sherri.

 

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