What Are You Running From, and To, and Why?
Posted: Wednesday, December 08, 2010
by Liesl Garner
"All human beings should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why." James Thurber, US author, cartoonist, humorist, & satirist, best known for his contributions to The New Yorker. (1894-1961)
Can you imagine how the world would open up for us if we knew the answers to these questions? To know, without a shadow of a doubt, what it is you are running to with wild abandon, knowing you will be caught in the arms of whatever it is you pursue? Perhaps the art that is in you straining at the little seed of love where it dwells waiting for the smallest nod of acceptance and joy from you to burst into bloom.
How often do we stop to think about what we are running from, and to, and why? How often do we allow ourselves to ponder how big our life really is how many people we affect along the way, how many people are watching us for clues of how to sort out their own lives, how much depends on us being okay in our own skin? And if even for a minute the thought of people depending on you for their well-being makes you cringe, take a deep breath. It's time to get to work on you and your best interests for a minute.
Because people, sometimes young people, sometimes our own young ones are looking to us, it is imperative and a great privilege to spend some time deciphering some of life's bigger questions. Let's not look at self-discovery as one more chore, but as a way to breathe more life into our life, more love into every relationship we enjoy,
This morning, as I look out the window at work. I see the rolling hills of Southern Oregon, the patchwork of various fields, fence lines lined with trees, and farm houses dotting the scenery. There is one bright patch of freshly plowed earth. It is a little square of deep, rich brown amidst the softening green, almost tan of the late autumn, winter ground. Something about it makes me want to rush to it and scoop up the soil in my hands and breathe deeply the smell of fertile ground. Something is going to grow there and that is one of the loveliest things I can imagine.
Something is growing here. My spirit soars at that thought. I watch my children come up with new ideas every day, and I know that they are growing at a pace that will catch me by surprise someday and take my breath away. They will be off to explore the world on their own, and make decisions, and be grown-ups.
At this moment, in this place, I can say that I am running from anything stagnant. I am running toward growth because my imagination is a field that must be plowed on a regular basis. I need activity there. I need the richness of a seed pushed deep into the soil, where it sits and wraps itself in mystery for a time, and then with enough warmth from the sun and nourishment from the rain, it explodes into a dizzying display of outstretched arms and tendrils climbing, flowers bursting forth with filament, petals and pistils.
I am a garden ablaze with vibrant color and endless texture. I can get lost in the depth and brilliance of all the life that is there. It only took a moment of contemplation this morning, for me to be utterly grateful for the mind I dwell in, the gifts I have to give the world, and my own family and children specifically.
Beauty is within. Beauty is inside our hearts and souls and imaginations. Take a moment today to think about what you are running from, and to, and why. I wouldn't take it so seriously as to get lost in a morose downward spiral. Perhaps think more of the running to what inspires you, what makes you sigh happily when you think of it. It could be as simple as a warm cup of coffee with a friend. Some mornings that is what I am running to and I think to stay in the moment that is what we embrace. Some mornings I am running to the satisfaction of completing something big. I love the idea of starting my day with "what am I running from, and to, and why?" and waking up my heart to wonder and a brief moment of self-discovery.
Today I am in love with nature, the smell of fertile soil, and the pleasure of a fertile imagination. As odd as that may sound, that is my story for today, for this moment. I am running to the richness of Something is Growing Here. Oh, wrap that thought in mystery for a time and see what blossoms come Spring!
Photo Credit: from Morguefile.com By: melodi2
http://morguefile.com/archive/display/152392
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)It's a beautiful photo, Liesl, and your words paint an equally moving picture. This morning I ran to my piano! It filled me to the brim...Thank you, Jennifer. Gosh - how I've missed the camaraderie of my fellow writers on SearchWarp! I have always wished I could play the Piano - or some instrument. I've been in love with the Cello and the Violin equally. I used to work at the Philharmonic, and I found that on performance nights, I had to sit at the far back of the theater because music literally moves me so much. I didn't want to be a bother to the people behind me wishing I would just sit still already! I told one of the lead musicians one day how much I wished I could play - and she grabbed my wrist and said emphatically, "No! We Need people like you in the audience!!" I'm jealous that you can play and delighted that you can be filled to the brim by playing - and I'm glad I can enjoy music so tremendously as well!
Yes Liesl without imagination where would we as human beings stand in the world? Very good article thanks for sharing.Thank you, David! I adore the imagination. Seeing it in others - especially children - can be breathtaking!! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Most people don't want to admit what they're running from but I agree if we could answer those three questions honestly, it would be the first step to getting to a better place. Good article.Thank you so much, Brianna! I always enjoy your writing too!!
Hi, Liesl. Love your being "a garden ablaze." You truly are. I tend to think of myself as a the dirt in the flowerbox - hunkered down, basic as one can get, and somewhat bemused at all the blazing, growing, and tweeting going on around me. Not a bad thing; perhaps my task is to nurture the growth around me, or at least to be the audience to all the flowering. / Nancy from the Garden in Fresno
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