Near the end of The Magician's Land, Lev Grossman describes the world as a "fucking awful...wretched, desolate place, a desert of meaninglessness, a heartless wasteland, where horrific things happened all the time for no reason and nothing good lasted for long."
Smirking at the absurd sometimes is the best move. I like the Rollo May quote about stimulus and response. Perhaps reactions is what is anticipated by the absurdity of some things. I like that line from WarGames: "A strange game. The only winning move is not to play."
Love that story. The all-night wrestling. There is something in it--tenacity, right? Another kind of faith, for sure. No less valid. Also seen so many other times . . . in the parable of the insistent neighbor knocking repeatedly on the door . . . & so many others, as well. But you know.
This is so true, Duane. “we find a way to smirk in the face of the absurd, to wink at the arbitrary nature of the noose, and find some laughter, beauty, and meaning in the overarching insignificance of it all. “ the gift of time for Laughter beauty, and meaning was a balm to my soul was in New York City last week.
The question for me who hardly ever approaches such depths of despair (except politically and even that is one step removed as I live in England), can I ever reach the artistic heights of magical if I never sink so low?
Thanks Emily! Great questions. I don't believe in the "suffering artist" trope. I don't believe that being in pain is a prerequisite for making things. But they are part of the human experience. They are unavoidable aspects of our being alive here. Their "depths" are inconsequential, pain is always subjective and contextual. Comparing my suffering to that of another's in unhelpful. I think the point is that there will always be more reasons to NOT make things. There will always be obstacles blocking you. There will always be hinderances. The fact that we can face them and choose to make something anyway, is the magical thing to me.
Smirking at the absurd sometimes is the best move. I like the Rollo May quote about stimulus and response. Perhaps reactions is what is anticipated by the absurdity of some things. I like that line from WarGames: "A strange game. The only winning move is not to play."
Great example Neil! Definitely going to have to rewatch that one!
There is a space inside us that is independent . . ."
Untouchable by the world. And also, not ours to control . . .a sacred space.
.
Also Duane, these palettes of earthy neutrals with shots of color are beautiful and surprising.
An oh that lack of control is something I'm always wrestling with, “I will not let go unless you bless me…”
Love that story. The all-night wrestling. There is something in it--tenacity, right? Another kind of faith, for sure. No less valid. Also seen so many other times . . . in the parable of the insistent neighbor knocking repeatedly on the door . . . & so many others, as well. But you know.
Yes! Absolutely! A willingness to fight the long defeat.
or outcome tbd
This is so true, Duane. “we find a way to smirk in the face of the absurd, to wink at the arbitrary nature of the noose, and find some laughter, beauty, and meaning in the overarching insignificance of it all. “ the gift of time for Laughter beauty, and meaning was a balm to my soul was in New York City last week.
It really is such an incredible gift when you can't get it!
The question for me who hardly ever approaches such depths of despair (except politically and even that is one step removed as I live in England), can I ever reach the artistic heights of magical if I never sink so low?
Thanks Emily! Great questions. I don't believe in the "suffering artist" trope. I don't believe that being in pain is a prerequisite for making things. But they are part of the human experience. They are unavoidable aspects of our being alive here. Their "depths" are inconsequential, pain is always subjective and contextual. Comparing my suffering to that of another's in unhelpful. I think the point is that there will always be more reasons to NOT make things. There will always be obstacles blocking you. There will always be hinderances. The fact that we can face them and choose to make something anyway, is the magical thing to me.