“In nature’s infinite book of secrecy, A little I can read” – Shakespeare
Oak leaf in ice
I stumbled upon this quote recently. Not being all too familiar with Shakespeare other than titles of his works and basic story lines, I found that it is from Antony and Cleopatra. The context of this quote was in a conversation where a Soothsayer (ie. a person who is supposed to be able to see the future) states this, drawing comparisons between the mysteries and power of nature with those of the famed Cleopatra. Nature essentially limits the powers of the Soothsayer, as I imagine so does Cleopatra from my basic understanding of this passage.
When I contemplate all of the knowledge we have gathered about the natural world, it is mesmerizing to think about how truly little that is. Little in the context of our own planet, and infinitely more so in the context of the universe. Over time, nature seems to allow us to see a page or two at a time in a book with no ending, no final chapters, no dramatic conclusion.
I have to believe that nature does not want us to skip ahead chapters no matter how hungry or impatient we are for knowing more. Sometimes pages need to be read over and over, as if a passing test is needed to approve moving on to the next. Will the greater plot ever unfold?
In a smaller sense, I often feel this way myself when walking through the woods. What am I supposed to be appreciating in this spot before moving on to the next? Should I go back to the first sentence and begin again?
Would a glimpse into the future change our behaviors and patterns of today? How far would we need to see in order for that to happen? Is knowing what’s around the next bend of the trail helpful to understanding where we stand? Some consequences we already know and the Soothsayer can reveal little more. Many think that next bend could be a large cliff. More often than not, it seems we not only have to start the page over, but the entire chapter.
Mark, I like the words you wrote in this post. They are thoughts and feelings I seem to have on a more and more frequent basis. Walking through the woods wondering if I am missing something. Walking through life wondering if I am missing something. I truly believe there are (to use the analogy you mentioned) sentences, paragraphs and or pages of life that we should not only re-read but should remain at for they hold truths in which we build our core beliefs.
People are fast to move on, impatience is an evergrowing problem in most all things important. People want results and they want them now. Most never seem to want to fully understand, just enough to get by and then off they go to something else.
Growth, insight, a belief system that supports and is positive about the world we life in is not a race to see who can get there first or who can gather the most information to support their case, it’s about understanding the truth as mother nature intends it to be.
We must always be forward looking especially when it comes to the world we live in the plant and other animal life we share it with. We must never be satisfied with just getting by, we must demand more from ourselfs. And we must never forget where it is we came from or where is it we are at the moment. Life should always remain a learning experience regardless if we read the same page over and over.
Thanks for a thought provoking post.
Brad, excellent thoughts, I couldn’t agree more.
I’m finding it far more comfortable to live in the present than in the future. That’s not to say I don’t venture there once in a while in my thoughts.
What is cool for me is the knowledge you have of nature, as well as other photographers, and that you share the knowledge with us through your images and words. So, I say to you; go ahead and contemplate, go ahead and experience nature, go ahead and create your images, then share them with us. I’m enjoying your journey, it’s also a part of mine!
Thank you very much Monte. I sincerely appreciate the feedback and it is glad to hear you continue to enjoy your visits here. You are always welcome!
Mark, If we could permanently see the long term results of each our actions perhaps a “better” future could be plotted. But I doubt a single view would give us the results we wanted — we might indeed change course but it still might lead us over the cliff.
This reminds me of the philosophy of “the joy being in the journey” but that doesn’t preclude being irresponsible in our actions.
“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” –
Don Williams, Jr. (American Novelist and Poet, b.1968)
Some things we can know/predict from experience and observation. But I believe always knowing what’s around that next bend could be counterproductive to the learning process, even if it means repeating pages and chapters, and in many cases, not as much fun! 😉
I often wonder about that better future Earl. Clearly our society is engaged in things that if we were truly honest with ourselves, we know that they cannot be good for the long run. We don’t need a crystal ball. I believe greed and short term thinking are part of the cause.
“Greed and short term thinking”
Wasn’t that the last administrations platform when they were in office for eight years — and a fine mess it made. 😉
Don’t get me started Earl…. 😉