I do like being "in the swim of things," but find that often others like to swim faster, and tend to thrash about more, agitating the water. I like to envision being in a clear bowl of water inside other water, with a momentary membrane of glass between me and those others. Not barricade but pause, or breath, allowing me to remain still within the general hurry. To remain unmoved—when I choose—by the current. I like having the sky and sun too in my bowl, the company of trees and clouds and colored light.
image: A Quiet Retreat
This is a very interesting thought, and by the way, it all reminds me of Pink Floyd's "we're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl".
ReplyDeleteI wake up a half hour earlier in the morning, so I can have my breakfast in all quiet and according to what I consider the proper rhythm for that part of the day: slowly. And when I walk out, when everybody else is rushing to work, I'm early and can afford to take my time and hop on the next subway train.
I can see how being part of the current detaches people from each other. It doesn't give them the time to develop relationships the way they would thirty years ago.
And that's a great pity.
I'd rather be in a pond than in a bowl.
Thanks for your thoughtful words, Jay. Hope you're well and safe in New York.
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