"Solitary and Fragile Against the Brute Force of the Sea"
"Help Your Child to Wonder" by Rachel Carson
"Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. Whatever the vexations or concerns of their personal lives, their thoughts can find paths that lead to inner contentment and to renewed excitement in living."
"Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. Whatever the vexations or concerns of their personal lives, their thoughts can find paths that lead to inner contentment and to renewed excitement in living."
I always think of that line from Our Town where one character asks another if people ever really enjoy their lives while they're living it. "Poets and artists do," I believe was the response. I like to think writers, too! We look around us and take in things a little more than the average person who just blasts through life without looking around.
ReplyDeleteYes! Writers definitely fall into the "Poets and artists" category I'd say. Stephanie - thanks for reminding me of that great line and sad moment. Unbearable how Emily longs for her every day life. Looking it up now..."The saints and poets maybe..." - I wonder if that was the line you mean? The taking things in can be a liability (the stress of Manhattan construction and increasingly empty storefronts interferes with my ability to think constantly - I find it so distressing) but of course the flip side is getting to soak in the days and live fully. Thank you so much for this encouragement today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment :) I tried to teach my children to wonder, giving them lots of opportunities to experience things and do things. Now I'll have the opportunity to perhaps teach my grandson how to wonder too :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Thank you Betty. And thanks for teaching your children and no grandson to wonder!
ReplyDeleteI happened to read this perfect quote last night as I was sitting down to write about an experience with my nephew. In our case, it was the child helping the adult to wonder. The pace of the day so often turns into a blur, but yesterday I slowed down enough to take in tiny details, to wonder at things my eyes had glimpsed but not really seen.
ReplyDeleteOh yes Sarah - so often it is the other way around - as you describe! Thank you for pointing that out.
ReplyDelete