Tuesday, February 12, 2013

what was ordinary




The meaning of life changes when we confront loss.
Our search for meaning and purpose
leaves us wandering and bewildered.
What was ordinary yesterday
becomes precious today,
and what was precious yesterday
seems dull and lusterless.
What we liked becomes uninteresting,
but what we love becomes everything.
                                                
~ Stephen Levine
 
 



3 comments:

  1. I read through this verse 3 times. I think it's about priorities, but I'm not sure. Perhaps about what is taken for granted but then sorely missed when it is gone. I enlarged the photo which I really like for its simplicity. It's very Wabi-Sabi.

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  2. I think what Stephen is saying here is that when we experience great loss that turns our world upside down, we then are left with only those things we truly love...and that becomes the only priority. This is from one of his essays on dealing with grief.

    Glad you like the wabi-sabi element. I have been involved with a project on wabi-sabi for some years at the art center where I do most of my photo work. Here is a link to my research on the subject:
    http://ohanloncenter.org/programs/wabi-sabi/

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  3. Thanks, Duff. Will pay a visit to the site tomorrow.

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