We interrupt this August Break. . .
The Real Work
It may be that when we no longer know what to do
we have come to our real work,
and that when we no longer know which way to go
we have come to our real journey.
The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
The impeded stream is the one that sings.
from Standing by Words. © 1983
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This poem is the only set of words on the wall in my office. I think it is the ultimate, the absolute best. Also laughing because last summer I interrupted my August break to share some lines from Kunitz. xo
I just HAD to, right?
I respectfully disagree with Wendell. After 41 years I am discovering that the answers are simple although not easy….maybe we are saying the same thing.
I guess I’m interpreting “a baffled mind” as one that has begun to accept that we know nothing, really. When we submit, live our lives fully, in the face of all the uncertainty and vastness and mystery, then we are engaged with LIFE.
Btw, I love that: “simple but not easy”.
I love this. Thank you!
Love this.
Contemplating a break for second half of August. How’s the break going?
I really enjoyed doing it last year and so far, so good. Some of my favorite pictures I have of my kids are from August Break. While doing it, I feel like I’m really paying attention to all these sweet little moments.
I love this poem ~ it was my mantra last year as we moved our family to Shanghai. You summed it up so perfectly. It’s all about just being engaged and as Nicole points out, this is so “simple yet not easy!” I even passed it on to my daughter’s high school physics teacher after he explained to a room full of driven parents that their children will most likely struggle through the entire year of physics – and that this was his goal! The poem is now posted front and center in his classroom.
I love that Marty! A teacher who sees that as the goal. Wow. And you bringing this perfect little poem to him in Shanghai. It makes me happy imaging it posted in his classroom.