“I set up situations that involve abandoning control and finding out what happens.”
Brian Eno
When I plucked this image from my archives, it resonated with my current state of mind. “Adrift” seems fitting to how I feel about my creative work for some time, trying to think of things to write for this blog that anyone would have interest in, figuring out paths in life in general. It has been well over two years since I uprooted myself from a stable day-job and flung myself overboard into the sea.
For sure, sea-sickness ensued, still there from time to time. A jump due to roots beginning to rot, and no signs of growth. Back then, I thought I would have found myself a nice beach to rest on by now. To find a new place for my roots to grab hold. But the water doesn’t seem to be done with me yet and perhaps my limbs too rigid to swim. I find moments of rest in the tides, only to float again.
The crests and troughs of the waves may be symbolic of these unstable times. Now and then, a bird will grab me by a branch, carrying me to see the vast sea around. Waves are mere ripples. Thank you little bird. May we both find our islands soon.
Beautifully rendered, in words and image.
Thank you!
I wonder if I question this adrift or flow experiences more due to my age. Seems in my younger years I did not think much about these questions. I now enjoy the questions and the many responses they evoke from others. It is how I learn something so I can query another question. I seem to drift or flow depending on the day and far apart my head and heart are. I find your posts and creativity to be important in my life. You are an artist and artists have a depth to them that must be shared. I am looking forward to more from!
I can relate Monte. Maybe it is because we have “more time on our hands” than we had when younger? Certainly, our perspectives change, we become more rounded as individuals, maybe a little bit more skill at shrugging off the small stuff and pondering the bigger questions. I certainly appreciate your appreciation Monte! 🙂
Wonderful image and it’s relation to you. As someone else mentioned I wouldn’t worry about people finding it interesting. I find all your posts interesting. I too changed my hornet somewhat a year ago so I understand the feeling.
Thanks Howard! I am now curious about that “hornet”
Lol, darned auto correct. No I didn’t change my hornet but I did change my path somewhat. I find that with this new iPhone the auto correct is much bolder on its approach and corrections than in the past.
Hahaha – I thought maybe you drove a hornet ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_Hornet) or something? 🙂
Definitely old enough to remember the Hornet?
I wouldn’t worry about finding things that to write that ‘anyone would have interest in’. Our interest is in you.
I appreciate that Joe!
Feeling adrift is something I can relate to. I abandoned control a long time ago and it took me a while to realise that what appeared to be aimless drifting was more akin to flowing. The different perspective, I found, came from my expectations. When I hold any expectations, I feel adrift, when I have none, I flow. Freely and contentedly. Of course, I understand that not having expectations can look a lot like not having any plans but it’s more like having solid plans with a very flexible outlook and a good change management process. This allows you to be in on the joke rather than the butt of the joke when God looks at your plans and laughs ?
My son, who has written almost as many books as years he’s been alive, when asked about writer’s block (which, for the sake of this train of thought, we might equate to drifting aimlessly), says that it only happens if he tries to control the story. Abandoning the need for control allows the story to flow. I find the same holds true for me where life is concerned.
This isn’t to say that abandoning control provides a life that is all rainbows and unicorns. In my experience, I find that it provides no less troughs and no more peaks than when I used to affirm control, but somehow, it’s better. The troughs are merely there for contrast to make me appreciate the peaks even more. To be fair though, the troughs hold their own beauty too.
Anyway, apologies for rabbiting on like this. I’ll stop now, just as soon as I complement you on your beautiful photograph. It is gorgeous on many levels. I am willing to bet you never planned, or even held expectations, that it would turn out so perfectly ?
Looks like my smiley faces got translated to “?”. Sorry about that 🙂
I appreciate the words of wisdom Cedric and you relating your son’s experience with writer’s block. It makes sense, though internally I often succumb to conflict between my “planning self” and “wing-it self.” Having an exited a job that required very in-depth and detailed planning perhaps poured a little fuel onto that fire.
The quote I included from Brian Eno actually correlates well with your message. If you are not familiar, he is a musician and music producer. Bands often remark how he really likes to stir things up when working with them on producing a new album. He might say – have the guitarist play drums and the drummer play keyboards – even if neither of them as experience with such. It is just to “see what happens” – good, bad, or indifferent. He takes what they are used to and completely throws it out the window. In a way, I have attached myself to part of that philosophy – “see what happens” – because I was comfortable and unchallenged.
Your rabbiting is much appreciated. (No worries on the “?” – it is some ghost in the machine that interprets smileys that way sometimes in WordPress – I see it often)
“When I hold any expectations, I feel adrift, when I have none, I flow. Freely and contentedly. ”
Cedric, well expressed and I’ve experienced this as well, certainly with retirement and while RV’ing. 🙂 One reason I believe a post like this one of Mark’s is important is it quickly becomes apparent we are seldom alone in those issues we face.
A beautiful photo where the whole seems to be greater than the sum of its parts. I’ve stared at it for long moments without being sure why. Very nice.
You “flung yourself overboard” during interesting times my friend. But in words much better than mine:
“To my mind, voyaging through wildernesses, be they full of woods or waves, is essential to the growth and maturity of the human spirit. It is in the wilderness that you really learn who you are.”
? Steven Callahan, Adrift: Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea
I do like that quote and thanks.
BTW Earl, your reaction to the photo is similar to my own. To be honest, all of these thoughts about it probably weren’t in my head when I made the original exposure. But they sort of evolved as I thought about the similarities of this seemingly benign piece of (mangrove?) and what it goes through in the course of a day.
Humm…even more fuel for thought. 🙂
Quite beautiful Mark,
Your serene photography and your calming thoughts too. Thank you for sharing ?
Thank you Suzanne!