Strange is our Situation

[eL]

"Strange is our situation here on Earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know; that man is here for the sake of other man." ::Albert Einstein:: I write like I talk and I talk like I think. In fragments stumbling over each other to fall in line. But nothing ever falls in line. So I write much like I dance, without rhythm or form. I live like I dance. Einstein's quote is the music I hear and try my very best to step to. I became quickly exhausted by searching for that "answer". An answer heavy enough to squash the question of "why are we here?" I work in Hartford. (Let's not talk about where.) So I went to the bar for lunch today, by myself, and I brought my book. Not too long after I got through one page, I heard the two old men sitting next to me muttering about it. I looked up and one of them started with "I don't mean to be nosey, but can you tell me about that book?" So I did. His name was Keith, and his friend was Rolph. Keith was from England, and Rolph from Brooklyn, NY, not that any of that is at all pertinent to my point. Stumble, step, stumble...back in line... The book I am reading is called Nickel and Dimed - On Not Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. A journalist who the lives the life of a minimum wage worker and documents just exactly why it is near impossible to survive. Anyway, Keith and I hit it off. He says he has never felt so disappointed with this country, as he does now. He says no one talks anymore. He says the idea of a "neighbor" is gone. He says me talking to them is "brilliant!" because usually, this sort of thing never happens. He says our generation does not seem very socially conscience. He says he's worried about whats to come. We talk for about an hour. I tell him I know a lot of people my age who are very socially conscious, and to believe me, they're out there. He asks where I work. I regret to inform him, an insurance company. He says that doesn't seem right, why? I say, it's only temporary - He laughs. He says "life is only temporary my dear." I could have walked away right then. He's right. He said "it may seem very permanent to you at your age, but truuuusttt me, its oonnlllyy temporary." He made me promise to get out, he made me promise not to become a "corporate Twinkie." I shook on it. He said, "please, don't be like me, don't get stuck in a corporation." He said our conversation was refreshing, we all left laughing. An extremely similar situation happened in Bushnell Park with a guy who I pass every day, sitting on the bench. Two hours later, we were both laughing, smiling, and thanking each other for great conversation. He said "this is refreshing." So wy are we here? Well now I am here to fulfill a pact with a man named Keith that I met at a bar at 1:30pm on a Wednesday afternoon. I am here to dance to Einsteins song. I am here for those less fortunate than me, I am here to make their time worthwhile. Because if life is temporary, then so are our relationships, and so is our "purpose". So let's not stress ourselves with the pursuit of the "answer", let's dance the baby steps. Let's start conversations. Lets laugh with people who forgot how. Lets learn the names of the people we pass on the bench. Lets listen to those who have lost their voice. Lets get lost when it all intertwines and overlaps and connects. Lets not be "ants", as they say in Waking Life. That's all.

[820ambition]

i still cant express how powerful of an entry this is. maybe just a simple compilation of thoughts and words, yet it has managed to provoke so much thought that i still come back periodically to read it over again. a significant reason this network was ever established was to provide a place in which to vent ones thoughts... while simultaneously relying on the insights and words of others for guidance in times of question and in times of need. this network and this post alike have proven to be a calming method of gathering my thoughts and getting back on track. once again, thanks for your words - dance the baby steps, dance einsteins song, learn the names of the people we pass on the bench.

[DJ Schro]

that was a breath of fresh air! As I was reading I realized how I was stressing over issues that need not be. Thanks Lauren

[820ambition]

this is excellent. keith, mr einstein and yourself speak a serious bit of knowledge. its refreshing to read this, its motivational to read this. Life is temporary, thanks to both of you for passing on the reminder - sometimes a reminder is all the difference.