It’s Midweek – time for a word from Rilke.
Today’s reading, titled ‘Not Prisoners’ from A Year With Rilke, made me question whether I focus too much on security. As I age, I want to try new things – go in all the rooms of my house but I find myself being more reluctant and afraid.
Will I have the courage to explore the mystery? Do you try new activities or do you settle in and do the same things over and over with the same people?
And another quick midweek comment – as winter goes on and on, I am beginning to feel a bit like a prisoner. Are you ready for a change of season? I am!
Now here’s Rilke to explain what rooms and prisons I mean:
“If we imagine our being as a room of any size, it seems that most of us know only a single corner of that room, a spot by the window, a narrow strip on which we keep walking back and forth. That gives a kind of security. But isn’t insecurity with all its dangers so much more human?
We are not prisoners of that room.”*
Tell me what you think about Rilke’s conclusion that taking risks is what makes us human and that to be insecure can be liberating.
Thank you for exploring the mystery – Nicky Mendenhall
The photo is of my CA granddaughter’s courage and free spirit.
* A Year With Rilke translated and edited by Joanna Macy & Anita Barrows (2009).
4 comments
I stayed in my 30 year failing relationship beyond the expiration date because of security issues. But when I realized that there were more important issues to be experienced than security, I started a new life as a single and what a glorious life it has turned out to be!
Many of us were raised to prize security above everything so your story is not unique. What is unique is that you figured this out in time to create a glorious life for yourself.
Thank you for sharing your joy with all of us!
Hi, Nicky! Your question about security goes a little with an insight I got thanks to Matt's excellent sermon on Blessing. I attended the recital last Sunday afternoon that featured Jonathan Sturm, Ed Griffin and Carl. I realized that Des Moines has world class artists of all kinds – in music, theater, dance and visual arts – who are every bit as accomplished as anyone anywhere in the world including our east and west coasts. They bless us by choosing to live here and share their gifts with us. What do we do with blessings like that? Get my petunia off my secure chair in my corner and support these people. By supporting artists with my attendance I raise my vibration, because that's what they do for us. That improves the world. At Plymouth the concerts are free so everybody can afford to attend. Our Chuck Cumming endowment allows for artists to be paid what they are worth (I hope.)
I realized that it's not just entertainment but a real "thing" that happens to us. Even and especially when we are making music ourselves. You are the first person with whom I have shared this insight. Bless you!! Jeanne
I love your insight Jeanne that we do a real thing when we support artists by attending performances. It is a real thing for us and for them. And I think real, in this case, means being human.
I appreciate you sharing your insight with exploring the mystery! Together we will improve the world!
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