“What are those players feeling right now? 2 hours before they play in the biggest game of the year, or even their career?”
“Some of them would be fired up and angry, some of them would be joking and having fun.” “The fired up ones would be getting angry at the jokers.” “And the joking ones would be making fun in return.” Two teams just played in the grand final in Melbourne. It was a disaster for one and a glorious achievement for the other. I spent the weekend walking around town with my team, of friends, and it was very nice indeed. I’m struck by the joy that is created in the space between people. Different people with various ideas and styles. Transient groups of ideas and attention that come together before drifting apart, changing and flexing with every new person that joins in. Jokers and feisty types included. I think all I’m trying to say is that it’s nice to be with your friends.
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Last night I camped and this morning I woke up with the sun at dawn. Bright, persuasive and powerful - there was no way to resist. I got up and started the day.
For some people waking up at dawn feels like the right way to do life, for others it is a struggle. I’m lead to believe that the ancient Romans where all about starting the day at dawn. At night the city was dark, no street lighting of any kind, and dangerous so things that had to get done outside the house where done with sunlight. I get the sense though that not all Romans had an easy time getting out of bed at dawn. Check out the 16th Emperor and philosophical muser, Marcus Aurelius, trying to convince himself to get out of bed and into the day. “At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for — the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?” So you were born to feel “nice”? Instead of doing things and experiencing them? Don’t you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order, as best they can? And you’re not willing to do your job as a human being? Why aren’t you running to do what your nature demands? You don’t love yourself enough. Or you’d love your nature too, and what it demands of you.” This man governed Rome for 19 years and is considered one of the great leaders during a golden time in Roman history. “Is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?” Good question Marcus. These two photos were taken 8 years apart in opposite hemispheres and of different people, and yet they are powerfully connected.
The people in my family celebrate the successful location of extreme natural softness in spectacularly familiar ways. The moss on the side of an Icelandic lava flow and the fabulously manicured Canberran monument grass each elicit the full body flop of enjoyment. I ask you. How else should such things be experienced? My father is an introvert and a naturally quiet man. Then he had 3 children and the peaceful spaces around him evaporated. He used to say “bloody kids” in times of stress. It was not cool at the time, but we all laughed about it later. One time there was a straw hat that did not survive the frustration we were causing.
Now that I’ve got my own bloody kids my respect and understanding grow every year. Happy fathers’ day Dad. |
AuthorHigh school teacher Archives
September 2023
CategoriesThemes |