otherwise known as Spring.
I think that every person I meet inspires a different shade of envy. Whatever it is that they are, I want to be. A wise woman I know used to preach on the folly of wanting to be someone else. "Your job is to be yourself. You can do that better than anyone else. And you'll do a TERRIBLE job trying to be me ... or anyone else." Sounds good. I subscribe. I'm on board. And yet! Just thinking about who I am puts me onto an endlessly circling ring of paradox. I only see who I am in relation to another, who holds up a mirror. And what I see is what I want to be, to become. And around and around. One thing about being older is that I don't worry about separating and distinguishing myself from others the way a teenager might. I really do think that wanting to become what you see in another can be just as authentic an expression of self as any other way to define yourself. So, I'm happy to be an opportunistic scavenger! But another thing about being older (than I was before at any rate) is totally surprising. It turns out that the desire to become, to grow, to evolve into new forms is just as present as ever, maybe even stronger than when I was young! After all these years, I'm still green, still unripe, still growing into something different. As a young woman, I didn't know that older people felt that way. The drive to grow could be a variation on hope springing eternal, or it could be a sort of biological imperative, like a green light. Green means go! Now! But sometimes I will admit to wanting to just sit at the corner even after the light has changed.
I am so excited for the opportunity to be able to read what you write this month. So far it has been very intriguing. I also like the way you tell your photos to the writing
Very thought provoking. I think it is good to want to improve yourself and to take inspiration from others but it shouldn't be to the detriment of who you are.
Hello Francoise We are partnered for Get pushed this week. I have really enjoyed looking through your album, you have some stunning shots and are clearly an accomplished photographer. I also enjoyed reading your narrative for today and this gave me an idea for your challenge. There is a proverb/quote attributed to Aristotle: "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom" how about you represent this with an image of your choice which makes sense to you? Please do let me know if you would prefer a different challenge. Anne
