Friday, December 31, 2010

December 31, 2010, Shakespeare and Talking Heads

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
William Shakespeare
Macbeth, Act V, scene v


I have thought of the foregoing quote many, many times in my life. Aptly, this gem rolled through my mind earlier today, as I was recycling the 2010 calendars.
In my youth, the 'New Year' was exciting!
In early adult life, I fell upon many years of darkness. I came to dislike the advent of a new year. The new year was a time to recount all of my mistakes, instead of looking ahead with optimism.
I still struggle a bit during this auspicious time, but I am coming around to a feeling of gratitude, not depression, loss or failure.
On that note, I cannot help but wonder if this life is to be taken seriously - or not?
It seems that our friend, Macbeth wondered the same thing.
Positively, I have been gifted and blessed with an embarrassment of riches. I am presently filled with conscious gratitude for every ambulatory, breathing second.
But, still .... I do ponder the entire script of life....and I always have.
I do not know my role or purpose or even if there is one! I wish that I could be one of those people who knows exactly what their life's purpose is!
I relate to Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime"!! "How did I get here?"

Is life a comedy, a tragedy, a drama, a soap opera, a whim, a plan, a thought, a dream?
What, exactly, is "a life"?
This is what I do know....
I have packed up many belongings of loved ones after they leave this life behind.
I absolutely know that those material (matter-real) goods mean NOTHING (NO-Thing). Those belongings cannot possibly tell the story of the beloved's life.
What remains and never ends are the emotional bonds formed in this life. Those feelings are as real, as fresh, as tangible and as present as the sound of my fingers tapping the keyboard at this moment.
These days, I bond in LOVE.
Love really is all that MATTERS (material).
May each and every one of you forge bonds of love in the upcoming 'new year'.
In Love, Truth and Beauty....


2 comments:

  1. Oh the pondering of "What is life?" Any who think must at one time or many times wonder the same. I agree with you. It is about relationships and caring about others more or at least as much as ourselves. It is the practice of gratitude and kindness and the belief that one can make small differences every day. A life well lived is paradoxically not about ourselves but in the service of others. Look forward not backward as our real lessons lie in our ability to apply what we know now to our future evolutions. Peace to you dear woman, with love.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Betsy,
    Thank you for this most eloquent comment.
    We certainly do not live in isolation - no matter how alone we may feel from time to time.
    A life of service is indeed a blessing!
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete