Tuesday 9 February 2010

Water Ripples


Dear friends, dear souls I have missed the pleasure of conversing with in some time.

Including the friends who email, hello again.

The absence has been felt. Somehow I wish you were across the street from me, so I could meet you at the window and talk back and forth happily like they did in previous times, ready to share, ready to listen.

For some weeks, I have been trying to be the best person I can personally and careerwise. Sometimes they collided, quietly, change causes sparks. It helps to be prepared. I spoke on the phone sporadically, emailed less. Itched to blog. Forgive my silence.

I hope you have been well, better than well. My thoughts would stray, sometimes even gallop to thinking of many of you individually. As weeks stretched, I would rush to write a post and then leave it, it didn't feel quite right for the time, as always the sincere thought requires a ready moment.

For January I had written an enthusiastic, bold, happy one, and then, Haiti collapsed. A house of cards, heaving tremors around the world. Somehow the happy post seemed inappropriate. But I remembered the posts you wrote and they touched me although I could not reply. How to reply, when you said it better than I?

Aghast and shaken, days after I thought of what happens to people after the rubble is cleared: We are left with questions: these encircle a magnifying glass to the people that were abandoned, hungry and needy before any earthquake shook them. I only discovered this after watching a Charlie Rose YouTube on Haiti. Yet we heard little for so long amidst our normal concerns. Little until one earthquake hurt them and jolted us.

Is selfishness individual complacency? Or an epidemic? Are we to blame for not seeking to know more about the world than we are spoon-fed?


Perhaps the magnifying glass can be held to ourselves. Who are we? Who am I?


Am I like the shape of water? Ready to fill the vessel I am given? Or do I build the vessel myself, grow within it, discard it when it cannot contain me anymore?

Without the analogies, I know one thing. I am in this world for reasons bigger than myself. This means I must share of myself freely and without expectation. This means that sometimes I am needed elsewhere. This is not weakness nor naivety. It is humanity finding its way.

The past few weeks have taught me that without cherishing the bigger truth, life is not quite right, contentment is not as surefooted. I reserve the right to be imperfect, I also reserve a right to aim for perfection knowing I will not attain it, as this is human. Yet how vital is this journey when we try for the right reasons?


I pray we all act on our words and good intentions at this time, however small the action, allow it to form and ripple farther than human eyes can see.

Peace,
x

57 comments:

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Welcome back. You have been missed.

Unknown said...

Welcome back! I have MISSED you and your posts and your presence in the blog world. I was actually a little concerned about you- yes, this big large blog world cares specifically for you- selfishly I am glad you are back :) I hope you had a wonderful rest, soul search, and happiness these last couple months.

Laurel said...

Oh Sweetie- I have missed your brilliance and wisdom. You are a light that leads me to think bigger and want to be better, the silly post I just did shows I might need a bit of work.
I just love you so so much and am glad you appear when you do,
You have my hand always,
Laurel

Jennifer said...

Hello!! So good to *hear*from you. I love your questions. I've been asking myself some of these lately, particularly about knowing about the world. It's overwhelming taking it all in at times, but so worth it not to be ignorant. So much to think about :) *hugs*

French Fancy... said...

Your writing is simply wonderful. Goodness, I always sound like a broken record on here because I say more or less the same thing each time - but only because it is true.

It is such a shame it takes disasters like this to make us newly aware of people without very much in their lives. We're all too busy on our little treadmills to give a thought to those who are not as lucky as us, sad but true. Yet how much time does it really take to try and make a difference somewhere - even giving a few pounds each week to help?

If I were young and beginning again I would like to join VSO and actually get involved in a hands-on basis - (and not in a Prince Harry way but a proper way)

Clarity said...

Dear Pamela, thank you.

Corinna, I appreciate it and return it. No rest though, not yet.

Laurel, love back and thank you.

Jennifer - right, it is worth the time and effort like all good things.

FFancy, there is nothing broken about your words, they are all true.

Honor Woodard said...

Welcome back, Clarity - You were certainly missed.

Your wisdom and compassion are as pure as ever and it's a welcome surprise this morning to see you here again.

Oddly there seems to be perfection in the human effort to be good and fulfill purpose.

You remain an inspiration for so many of us, and this is in part your "bigger than self" reason for being.

I LOVE your "shape of water" analogy, since water can take just about any form or shape as liquid, solid or vapor. Wonderful. Thank you for this.

I almost emailed you many times while you were away, but somehow felt that it was right to know you were in silence with purpose and to honor and support that.

love and greetings to you.

Purple Flowers said...

I would love to be able to talk with you from across the street - talking and listening. However, if that were the case, I would invite you in for a cup of tea and a scone.

Your questions are so thought provoking, it would take "real" time to converse about them. Thank you for confirming much of what I think about at times. You have a brilliant and inquisitive mind. I've missed you.

Sierra said...

Glad you are back and given up the idea of perfection, it is tiring and I understand because I struggle with this daily. You have such a beautiful heart for mankind and Haiti, I hope the people there find a way to move past this horrible happening. Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Sigh....Welcome back my dear, XXX, C.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Dear Clarity,
How lovely to have your beautiful words and thoughts back again
You really do have a 'clarity' about you.
I wouldn't worry about not blogging We can't let blogging rule our lives. I think that you have had slightly more important things to do !!
I hope that you have found energy and fulfillment while you have been away. XXXX

Unknown said...

Oh, I am so glad to see your words across the screen! I missed you!
Would love to hang out the window and chat...
You know, you always have the finger and your mind so to speak on the pulse of our times. I think if we live sincerly and with gratitude, we will change small things and in response bigger things move as well. We are here for a purpose and we need to find our calling. We cannot be there for everyone and everything, but we need to fill our place and do our best.
You put it right: I reserve the right to be imperfect, I also reserve the right to aim at perfection, knowing I will not attain it, as this is human...

And perhaps human tragedy makes us aware again and again of our humanity!

Love ~ Victoria

Janet said...

Thank you for giving me something to think about. Beautiful post! How much better if we let those ripples ripple! With love from South Africa xx

la cuisine bourgeois said...

this is such a beautiful and well-written post. glad you're back and thanks for your very sweet comment. keep smiling!

love,
clarice

Phoenix said...

Oh THERE you are, Peter! (Sorry, can't resist a "Hook" quote when given the opportunity).

We've been missing you...hope you're gonna stick around for a while, my British bff :)

Barbara said...

Agreed, Clarity. It would be so nice to live across the street from you.
But until then, it's so nice to have you back. And with another of your thought-provoking posts.
I don't even try to be perfect. It's impossible. I don't know anyone who is....we just do the best we can in any way we can. Human suffering is everywhere but you can't mire yourself in it or you'll lose yourself.

Willow said...

Welcome back, Clarity! I did miss you and wonder. And then when I switched to my computer, I inadvertently lost all my saved urls. When I saw your comment on my blog this week, I rejoiced!

Clarity said...

Your words fill me, that is all I can say. Thank you, X.

Alexandra said...

love love your blog too! I am finding so much clarity...I think it's best found abroad.
cheers

Unknown said...

Daaaaaaaaaaahling,
You have definitely been missed! Welcome back. Hope you were able to accomplish what you wanted for yourself in the past few weeks. But I'm glad you are back. Your blog helps housewives with colossal delusious of grandeur a bit (but only a bit ;)) grounded.
*kisses* HH

Anonymous said...

It's wonderful that you are back. And I agree with everyone else that you have been dearly missed. I'm glad that you watch Charlie Rose. I think he has the best and most insightful show on television right now.

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Dear Clarity...welcome back and thank you for your visit, nice to see you again.
I truly appreciate your Prayers at this time.
I have some of the recipes over at my other blog www.dzintrasdolcevita.blogspot.com
And somehow I too think how good it would be to be across the street...perhaps we could then share that tray of yummy vegetables...Dzintra♥x

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Dear Clarity,
I just wanted to thank you for commenting on my post for Renee's birthday. Often, people don't comment on posts like that, so many thanks for your support. XXXX

Jeanne said...

Welcome back and thanks for your beautiful words and photographs
and your visits
Love Jeanne
Happy Valentine's Day
Love Jeanne♥

Couture Carrie said...

Welcome back, darling!
Lovely and soulful post!

Happy Valentine's Day!

xoxox,
CC

Debra said...

Clarity~ Your tender words touch me. I think we all need to be like you at one time or another and really listen to ourselves. We all need a break from time to time. You have been missed- I usually assume {and I shouldn't do that} that when some time goes by, that someone just needs the quiet and time to refresh a little. I commend you darlin' for listening to your kind heart. Happy Valentine's Day to you dear~

The Bumbles said...

Your name suits your words and the way you craft them. Thank you for sharing sincerity.

ceecee said...

Welcome back to you too, Clarity. I am so pleased that you found me because I had only met you a few times before I made the grande and shortlived departure and I did not know your blog address. So you see, I have thought of you! Please accept my apologies for my poor office skills - I definitely live in a world of my own. But now I will visit.

Wishing you the best,
Catherine

The Sophisticated Aesthete said...

'It is humanity finding its way.' - Thank you for those words; it is good to know that there are others thinking in a similar way. Also, thank you for the comment you left on my blog, it is very appreciated.

Clarity said...

Alexandra - thank you, I think it's best found within ;)
HH - consider me the Housewife's Little Helper
Des - I'm very touched and I agree, he is refreshing.
Jacqueline and Jean, that's sweet of you both
Carrie, how kind, merci
Debra - thank you for understanding, x
Bumbles, Lovely words, x
Catherine, welcome back, x
Thank you SA and you're welcome

Annie said...

Your post is so poignant and thoughtfully written. I was especially touched by your statement: "This means I must share of myself freely and without expectation." This is an important lesson for me, as I so often give from my own need and not the need of the person to whom I'm giving. Thanks for the gentle lesson.

BTW thanks for stopping by The Bunny Bungalow and leaving thoughtful/insightful suggestions on my post about remembering Nonie.

Eugene Lim said...

Hello there!
What a wonderfully written blog (:
Here's my response to the comment you had posted on my blog post (I wasn't quite sure if I was supposed to comment on my own blog or not, so here I am) -- the photos are from http://www.swiss-miss.com/2010/02/rainbow-pancakes.html, http://mandr.tumblr.com/post/358142614all, and http://blog.piajanebijkerk.com/WordPress/2010/01/31/a-snowy-winter-wonderland/, all via Joanna Goddard via Cup of Jo (http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/)
Enjoy!

I Wonder Wye said...

Okay -- now I want to FLOG myself for whining about not getting out for dinner last night!! Thank you for pulling my head out of my arse! You have a lovely blog. Thanks for stopping by mine.....

Cheryl Lynn said...

Oh my God, what a beautiful post! You definitely have been missed and welcome back. You have returned with a bang! So profound and thought provoking, your words ride on the zephyrs of the wind to all four points of the globe, causing humanity to ponder its purpose.

Bravo, my dear.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I too, have been lax in posting, but I hope to do much better in the near future.

Have a wonderful evening.

indigotangerine said...

Welcome back. Sometime some self reflection is necissary. What I love about your posts is rather than just stringing pretty words together merely for the purpose of being pretty, you have a point that you are driving towards, that anchors the lightness. Thank you.
-indigo

Lori ann said...

Yes indeed, welcome back sweet clarity. what a genuine surprise to see you again. SO glad to hear you are well!
i love the image of us talking over the fence or from window to window, like old friends.
you are an inspiration, just saying in words your intention to better yourself. i can't imagine how much more you can improve since you are most lovely anyway.
i'm so glad your back.
and OH! so excited about the mail.
:) :) :) :) :) (that's me!)
♥ lori

Dumbwit Tellher said...

You write so eloquently and with great feeling and depth. I know when I was so sad in Dec./Jan. that it felt wrong to blog at times. I felt working it out in quiet was better but always felt the support of my blogging community. If it weren't for all those that supported me, I don't know if I could of gotten to where I am today. We did miss you and just know we are always here no matter the gaps in time. All my best to you x deb

Clarity said...

Annie, thank you for sharing that.
Eugene, kind and detailed, thanks.
Wye, oh please, not that :)
Cheryl Lynn, tremendous and touching.
Thanks Indigo.
Lori, you are very sweet, love back.
Deb, I empathise and thank you, x.

Winchester Manor said...

Hi Clarity,

Nice to see you here in blog land. I can relate to this posts on so many levels, particularly your words "This means I must share of myself freely and without expectation. This means that sometimes I am needed elsewhere. This is not weakness nor naivety. It is humanity finding its way."

You put into words perfectly what I've been struggling with lately. I adore you and your writings shake me to the core in all the right ways.

Thank you Sweet Friend!
Karyn

The Anthology said...

Welcome back! And thanks for making me feel compelled to do something amazing today.

*Kelsey

Marie said...

Dearest Clarity,

You truly have the perfect
name - Clarity. For you vision,
which comes from your heart is
so spiritually true.

I can relate very well to
the first part of your post, on
attempting to improve personally
and career-wise.

Reading Woman Risk Takers
and listening to Healing Waters
CD, helps me to embrace my imperfections, for they may be
the very quality the when sharpened
will spread the ripples of what
I was meant to accomplish.

Thank you for your words and
for the generous comments you
made on my blog.


Marie

Haute World said...

Beautiful post. I'm glad you're back! Part of the reason I travel so much is to open my eyes to the world and not just live in my quiet little corner. It really does put a perspective on your own life to see different cultures and the way people live in some parts of the world. It's a shame it takes an earthquake to shake people up sometimes, when there are so many countries that deserve people's attention but don't make headline news.

tinypaperheart said...

these photos are gorgeous!

Lisa Burks said...

please keep writing! ;) xo

Clarity said...

Karyn, humbly, thank you.
Kelsey, do share when you have, x.
Marie, thank you.
Haute World - I agree completely.
Tinypaperhearts- they're all from the year 1900 and from around the world; signifying continuity for me.
Lisa, I'll try, thank you, x.

Michael Chambers said...

Very nice blog. And very popular too! How did so many people find this?

VanessasRunway said...

I think we all can agree that we've missed you lovely words!

"I reserve the right to be imperfect, I also reserve a right to aim for perfection knowing I will not attain it, as this is human."

Love that. :)

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Dear Clarity,
I hope that you read this comment as I have to apologise profusely for not thanking you for my Kreativ blogger award on my last post. I thanked two people and forgot two as it was such a long time ago, I forgot. I should have done the '7 things about me that you didn't know', ages ago and, because I left it so long, I forgot who gave it to me. I won't add it to my last post but will thank you on another post in the future. Is that O.K ?
Please still like me !!!! XXXX

Clarity said...

Thanks, Michael.

Van sweet, shy-making - again, x

Jacqueline, I had forgotten too, so nothing to forgive, funny woman :) x

Lola said...

Dear Clarity!

Wonderful to *see* you over at my place! I've been blocked by Blogger from a number of terrific sites including yours but now at last have access once again!

What a great post full of such inspirational reflection. And also welcome back - you've been sorely missed.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend,

XOXO LOLA:)

Tish Jett said...

Dearest Clarity,

Welcome back. Now you have yet another award, certainly not worthy of your talents, but still a mark of affection and appreciation.

xo,
Tish

Deana Sidney said...

I just found this blog... the photos are magical and your words provoking. really lovely place to visit.

corine @ hidden in france said...

It is hard not to carry the weight on the world's pain on our shoulders sometimes. But when we don't are we selfish? I say it's good to have enough empathy to be helpful, but not so much that we become frozen by depression. I go back and forth.

I'm glad you're back and writing

Joyce said...

Thank you for stopping by my little corner. Your visit led me to your beautiful corner. A very heartfelt post. I'm off to sign up to follow your blog. xo

Clarity said...

Thank you Nora, Lola, x, sweet.

Tish, much appreciate your award, x

Lostpast, beautiful, thank you. The photos are unusually all from the year 1900 (instead of my own), I wanted a sense of continuity.

Corine, I agree. I also hold the fervent hope that Atlas stops shrugging. Thank you. too.

Lola said...

Dear Clarity!

Thanks sooo muchfor stopping by - sooo sorry too you've had difficulty accessing my page! Last month I was similarly blocked from a number of sites including your wonderful one. However, after a strongly worded message to Blogger indicating I might switch to Wordpress,I found myself - after my return from a long business trip - now magically unblocked!!

Always love *seeing* you!

XOXO LOLA:)

Deidra said...

I'm glad you're here. Thanks for sharing these words...