My intention is to post this on Christmas morning, with a "real time" photograph to accompany the peaceful, "night before Christmas" photo above. Most often, I write these blog posts a day or two in advance. That is to be sure not to miss one. About three years ago, I made a perhaps foolish commitment to write something here every day, and I actually called the blog "Two Worlds / 365," to document my intentions. I renounced my commitment to a daily posting on January 1, 2012, and I therefore changed the title of the blog. However, despite my caution, it appears that I will end up making 365 entries into this "Two Worlds" blog by the time we get to December 31st. That Mayan thing, which would have saved me a few postings, just didn't work out.
Next year, who knows? I am still making no commitments; however, it does feel good to make an attempt to write down something meaningful every day. Our lives are meaningful, and thinking about what they actually do mean seems to be worthwhile. At least to me, but of course I am not alone in that. Hitting the "Next Blog >>" button will quickly convince even a skeptic how many thoughtful people are out there, grappling with the meaning of life. And getting a few concessions out of life, too, with some proofs of meaning!
As I noted awhile back, I have actually been considering these blog postings as "notes" for a book. What if I actually tried to write a book, next year? In that case, it might be hard to do these daily postings, too. If daily postings start to disappear, that could mean I am writing something else. Wouldn't that be nice!
Why would it be nice? Well, good question. Even if you haven't read Ecclesiastes ("The Teacher"), which I do recommend, it's easy to question the value of any action that attempts to defy time and death, and to carry oneself and one's work forward into the future.
Philosophically, in other words, I agree with Borges (read his poem again, if you didn't read it before, and read it now for the first time, if you have never read it). Despite philosophy, though, I confess that I would like to be remembered when I am gone for having "done something." Writing a book is definitely not an infallible way to achieve that objective, but I bet it's a pretty common motivation for those who write books. In fact, much of what we do, as we create "our" world within the World of Nature, strikes me as part of an effort to prove that we are important, and to defy death (and the reality of life, which definitely includes death). Back to Borges!
Children (and then grandchildren) are the tried and true method to achieve immortality. Christmas Day is a day that brings on this reflection, for many people. It does for me, and not only as I think about my children, and my grandchildren, but as I think about my parents. They are still with me!
Sonya, and Philips, and Dylan and Delaney, I hope I'll be with you!
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