November dawned, though it was not as glorious as this picture.
In truth, it was raining and unusually dark, and I woke up before dawn, worrying. I was worrying about the world, quite literally. Everything from crumbling infrastructure to disturbing politics to whether my new Ventra card would work properly.
It being the beginning of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWrMo), I even gnawed on the question of whether to begin writing a novel at once. Yes, November dawned in a veritable stew of worry. A headline in the Times about the decline of the humanities the perfect dumpling.
In the struggle with life, it’s essential to try to see clearly. ‘Sight’ meant, of course, metaphorically. A truth, once discerned, has strength greater than the most deeply rooted tree, furnishing a hand-hold against the daily tornado of change and turmoil. Inchoate emotions can, with the aid of reason and reflection, be organized into valuable perceptions, without which I couldn’t be mistress of myself, or make sense of my family life or surroundings.
The blessings of Beauty flow in through my senses and infuse me with a hope that no genius can rationalize. And thank goodness, too. I’m grateful that a picture taken on October 28th of the Elks Memorial bathed in morning sunlight can stand as a fit proxy for a November dawning.
harley says
That is a nice picture of the Elks Memorial ; I often pass it while on the bus heading downtown. I am always struck at how well it is maintained………..And yes, somedays I wake up worrying and worrying too.
Celia says
I tend to see the world through rose-colored glasses a lot of the time, and perhaps that protects me somewhat from anxiety. When I do feel anxious, I always remind myself that anxiety isn’t thought, and consequently isn’t useful for addressing the underlying difficulty.
A friend in college related that her mother had taught her to look carefully at whatever she was frightened of, and that that technique helped her be more courageous and meet threats by breaking them down. A reliable strategy.
Cheers and best wishes,
Celia
Lori D says
Lovely Post, Miss Celia.
Celia says
Kind of you to say, Lori. Beauty carries us through, so often.
Good to hear from you!
Be well–
Celia