Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Being an Idealist

While visiting a blog that I love, Khaled KEM, I came across a wonderful quote:

"I am an idealist. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on the way."

--Carl Sandburg

Is our insistence upon knowing every detail of our journey a hindrance to our arrival?

13 comments:

CathM said...

This reminds me of what someone once said about me... that I’m too focused on the past (regrets) and the future (planning) that I’m missing out on the present. I think this stems from a need to ‘control’... but of course, we cannot control all the details... and, letting go of that desire to know and control goes a long way in engaging and embracing the journey... and ‘live in the present’.

Judith Ellis said...

Live, my friend, CathM! Live in the present! I think that uncertainty about how our lives will unfold causes us to direct our every step even more. But we often miss out on what could have been when we do this.

In the above regard, we sometimes get in our own way. I delight in what could be and gave up some years ago on trying to direct every aspect of my life. I'm not that bright or aware.

W.E. Henley wrote:

Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.

Being the master of our ship and captain of ou soul, has advantages and disadvantages under "chance" or direction. Sometimes what I thought was disastrous turned out well and vice versa.

Henley’s message, however, that only we ourselves can decide not to give up when life happens is well received. This is the "chance" that I believe Henley refers to.

Never ever ever give up!

Love to you, CathM.

Judith Ellis said...

Carl Sandburg's look is forward!

DB said...

I'm familiar with that quote, I have it written down somewhere.

Sandburg was not the staid, ethereal fellow most people think of. He was a bourbon drinking, cigar smoking, guitar playing, loud singing, maverick of a man. I know that because we had a mtutal friend.

DB

Judith Ellis said...

Cool, DB. I love it when you come through.

laughingwolf said...

it MAY be, judith, but there are many aspects to it, so no easy answers

someone said: it's not the arrival, it's he journey

Judith Ellis said...

Indeed, laughingwolf. The journey matters most and we are forever becoming.

wmmbb said...

Mahatma Gandhi described himself both as "a practical idealist" and a politician.

Judith Ellis said...

I can see this, wmmbb.

Anonymous said...

Judith,

My view on this topic was altered recently by a gentleman I had the pleasure to share a dinner with on a business trip to McGregor Texas. At the age of I believe he said 58 he decided to go to film school. He did his thesis film by jumping on his Harley and just driving and interviewing folks he found in and around the desert in Arizona...kind of a Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance approach. At some point he advised me I will be renting a Harley and joining him on a similar excursion. Kind of an application on the planning, what planning theme!.

There really are some terrifically interesting folks on the planet if you take the time to speak with folks.

Judith Ellis said...

Very nice, Dave. Thanks for that. As always, it's good to have you here.

Opaque said...

My nature borderlines optimistic and realistic characteristics. Thus, I would like, at least to a certain extent to have a bird's eye view of where I am heading towards rather than just blindly going for it.

So, I don't think it is entirely a hindrance.

Judith Ellis said...

Yes, Brosreview, hence the "every detail" in the post. Though, sometimes I must admit to just going for it without altogether knowing where things will lead. Because I am rather rational typically, this seems to pay off. Plus, I like not knowing sometimes, especially when my decisions will not affect others negatively if things do not work out.