There are only a few privileged people who can choose their jobs. The rest must pay the bills with whatever is suitable at the moment and try to improve step by step in their spare time. Regarding writing, even fewer professional writers can afford to live from pure creations, choosing what to write about at any time. All the different experiences you have, especially those that make you uncomfortable, make you a better writer when you understand yourself and others. Books are just a (beautiful) simulation of life, but not life itself. Reading books voraciously is just another version of the frog in its limited puddle. Now the well is a library, and finally, the well is your mind. I would prefer to jump out of the sunny waters and try to kiss a prince, or travel around to see what happens. Frogs’ lives are short, as well as ours.
Totally agree that getting to choose your job is a privilege. Also that difficult or uncomfortable situations make you understand life or your own self better. My best thoughts have almost always occurred to me at my worst moments.
I don't agree with the library being a well part though, a simulation, definitely. The idea of the frog in the well is the absolute lack of awareness about the world outside. But that's not exactly the case with reading, with reading you are aware. But yes, you're not really living it, it's all as if theoretical knowledge. That I think is a different conversation.
I love what you say about reading being a doorway into the human experience as well…it enriches everything about your life once you cultivate the habit. It allows you to see the humanity in others & to appreciate stories. Stories are so important.
Joyie! I can’t tell you how happy I am to come out of a meditation retreat and see your notification popping up on substack! I’m so glad that the short post resonates with you - I didn’t think it would serve any purpose upon posting but here is another reminder for us to just keep writing because you never know what strikes a chord with who.
And this is a great post! I fully agree with the work and identity thing, but it’s very interesting how we observed the same thing but come up with entirely opposite conclusions! Instead of reading more, I’m thinking of reading less - that’s the tldr. I’m planning to write my take on this soon, and I would be keen on getting your opinion when it comes out! This is the best thing about conversations isn’t it, to see different outlooks from different people. Thanks for sharing! ❤️
Aah! I'd love to see your post, it'd be fun to see an opposite point of view. Please let me know when you post.
Also totally agree with the point about keeping writing, we really don't know what one might relate to. That's one of the best things about writing in general, the way it can bring people together based on their shared experiences. Few other things have the power to connect people like this.
There are only a few privileged people who can choose their jobs. The rest must pay the bills with whatever is suitable at the moment and try to improve step by step in their spare time. Regarding writing, even fewer professional writers can afford to live from pure creations, choosing what to write about at any time. All the different experiences you have, especially those that make you uncomfortable, make you a better writer when you understand yourself and others. Books are just a (beautiful) simulation of life, but not life itself. Reading books voraciously is just another version of the frog in its limited puddle. Now the well is a library, and finally, the well is your mind. I would prefer to jump out of the sunny waters and try to kiss a prince, or travel around to see what happens. Frogs’ lives are short, as well as ours.
Totally agree that getting to choose your job is a privilege. Also that difficult or uncomfortable situations make you understand life or your own self better. My best thoughts have almost always occurred to me at my worst moments.
I don't agree with the library being a well part though, a simulation, definitely. The idea of the frog in the well is the absolute lack of awareness about the world outside. But that's not exactly the case with reading, with reading you are aware. But yes, you're not really living it, it's all as if theoretical knowledge. That I think is a different conversation.
I agree! Well written.
I love what you say about reading being a doorway into the human experience as well…it enriches everything about your life once you cultivate the habit. It allows you to see the humanity in others & to appreciate stories. Stories are so important.
Yes, I think there are few things that can connect people across space and time like stories do
Joyie! I can’t tell you how happy I am to come out of a meditation retreat and see your notification popping up on substack! I’m so glad that the short post resonates with you - I didn’t think it would serve any purpose upon posting but here is another reminder for us to just keep writing because you never know what strikes a chord with who.
And this is a great post! I fully agree with the work and identity thing, but it’s very interesting how we observed the same thing but come up with entirely opposite conclusions! Instead of reading more, I’m thinking of reading less - that’s the tldr. I’m planning to write my take on this soon, and I would be keen on getting your opinion when it comes out! This is the best thing about conversations isn’t it, to see different outlooks from different people. Thanks for sharing! ❤️
Aah! I'd love to see your post, it'd be fun to see an opposite point of view. Please let me know when you post.
Also totally agree with the point about keeping writing, we really don't know what one might relate to. That's one of the best things about writing in general, the way it can bring people together based on their shared experiences. Few other things have the power to connect people like this.
Magnificent article. I could have penned these words as my feelings are the same 👏🏻
Thank you for reading, and for your kind words 😊
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💖💖💖