What each must seek in his life never was on land or sea. It is something out of his own unique potentiality for experience, something that never has been and never could have been experienced by anyone else.
~ Joseph Campbell
I love this quote. In a world where there is so much conformity, it is a beautiful thing to know that my imagination, my memories and my experiences are truly my very own.
As I wander through my life, and take in the outside world around me, there is a rich inner universe that only I inhabit. I see things in a way that only my eyes can see... Is my version of green the same as yours? Do the colours yellow and purple together bring forth the same pleasure to your eyes as they do to mine? Does a pomegranate taste the same to you as it does to me? How about a brussels sprout? When I hear the soothing voice of the one I love, he speaks a language only I understand...pure poetry that dwells in my heart. When I hear violins playing in unison, nothing brings me goosebumps and a shiver up my spine in quite the same way. A specific scent can fling me back to my early years of pink tutus and soft ballet shoes as I recall the smell of the dance studio.
The things that make me laugh until my sides hurt, the things that bring tears of pain or joy, the things that make me want to withdraw and hide under the covers and never come out, the things that make my heart burst open and take my breath away...these are the things that I hold close as my own unique experience...my very own.
Hi Jamie,
ReplyDeleteJust happened to pass by this post. Couldnt leave without penning a comment on it therefore. Infact i was instantly hooked to initial words quoted by Joseph Campbell, "What each must seek in his life never was on land or sea."
I am based in India. A couple of day's back, at a social gathering conducted by our church parish, there was this gentleman invited as the Chief guest. He was asked to speak a few words. No matter with the vast experience of running an organization, and with all his love for the youth he narrated a beautiful story (which i would like to post as my next blog). There he chanced upon the subject - of how the Gods put all the strengths of Man within him, only letting his powers hide in his own individuality. Thus, today, few out of millions realizing that their strengths lie within.
Your words reminded me of all this. And the words "my imagination, my memories and my experiences are truly my very own" portray an intense feeling of love towards the goodness in self.
your words touch a tender spot in me today. thank you.
ReplyDeleteYour posts always ignite all the senses. The imagery you rovide is always provocative and enchanting. As if that weren't enough, the words are always expressed so eloquently and yet so simply. To be able to speak so successfully of what lies within you; how I would love to have that ability! And I often have wondered the very same things about color, how food tastes, etc. We human beings are such a paradox; all the same and yet all different.
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful post Jaime... I'm lost for words as I ponder it :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is important to know that no two people perceive anything exactly the same way. The expressions of these differences colors the world, but it can also separate us. To embrace both individuality and oneness is an art I am still learning.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thought provoking post. Your experiences are yours...they are unique and special. We can collectively share...but each of us will smell, see, touch, taste and hear it differently. I will give this lot's of thought this weekend...
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post. It made my day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a poignant post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletep.s. I was forced to eat brussel sprouts as a kid, and to this day, I still can't bring myself to eat them again.
that is one beautiful photograph dear jamie. and such a perfect switch into the deep and rich soil of fall. both the colors of your picture as well as the depth of your writing. sometimes i feel unique and am grateful and other times i need to feel like one of the many. it is high responsibility to be my own person! you do it so gracefully which is good for me to see.
ReplyDeleteXOXOXOXOXOOX
Did I respond to this in a dream? Entirely possible. I know I mentioned cellos & violins - cellos for me, violins for you. May I add my love of brussel sprouts to that thought? :)
ReplyDeleteAnd no, I think your version of green is YOUR version. No one else has it. When we're lucky, you give us a peek. And we thank you for that.
:) Debi
oh yes!
ReplyDeletethank you...
ReplyDeletethank you for letting me feel okay to be me!!
Being brave to be yourself...
ReplyDeleteto love the things only you know how to love...
to accept the things you experience as your own...
to love yourself...
mmmmm....changing colors sometimes are much easier...
love you...and honoring all that you are uniquely feeling for you xx
As always, your prose is pure poetry. You make me glad to be me and to be alive at the same time as you; to have the opportunity to learn from a heart like yours.
ReplyDeleteAren't we all such a wonder?
sometimes i just have to come back a second time and read and look... you are missed out here in the blogging universe during your busy school year. i didn't know you last year but i can imagine your life is very full and maybe even hectic about now....this is a good place for me to come to find your spirit.
ReplyDeleteXOX
This is so true...sometimes we forget to appreciate this about ourselves...:)
ReplyDeletexo
Beautiful thoughts complimenting a gorgeous photo. You state it so simply and clearly. I am always rewarded when I come to visit here.
ReplyDeleteI think I have come back to this post time and time again just to sit by your side wrapped in the warm afternoon light...
ReplyDeleteI'm smiling at the clouds,the baby elephant dancing across the sky... and as the chestnuts I have gathered from amongst the leaves come out of the fireplace embers, I marvel at how the little x's I cut into them now look back at me like a basket full of tiny starfish...
do you hear that tune the wind is whistling? maybe you could play it for me or perhaps just cup your hand and whisper it into my ear...
everywhere I turn I see and hear the uniqueness that is you and you alone.
you are loved miss jaime!
xoxoxo
You are the most loveliest human being i've ever come accross...every word of yours is a sunrise and a sunset, that keeps me in marvel!!
ReplyDeleteKeep writing you beautiful creature!
love
j
Much depth in your beautiful photo and writing. The colours in that wonderful photo remind me of a rich Elizabethan tapestry.
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