"Any reclamation of our shared humanity is, at this point, a political and revolutionary act."
I have thought on the matter of work and time a lot throughout my life. I rebeled, you might say, at an early age from what was expected: having "a good Christian work ethic", getting a steady job and giving thanks to God when you get one.
Yet it's taken decades for me to become comfortable with these inclinations and to see what good judgement there was at a deep level in choosing the trajectory I did. Even so, the domination and internalization of purpose-driven activity often overtakes me and makes me less human.
Yesterday, I met a man in his seventies who owns a species of high class restaurant incorporated into his house. He was standing outside on the sidewalk, no one inside, and saw me and asked what I might need. Ah, just a place to sit down and maybe have some coffee, I proferred. He brought out a couple of chairs and we sat in the sun and chatted in a casual, relaxed manner.. It came to my mind that at that moment, though there were a number of important or essential things I thought I should accomplish, I need not stress or try. I was just to be there and allow the moment to be... To be human, as you say.
I've noticed how Latin Americans have a different way of relating to time, to work, and to each other, something akin to the difference you speak of between modern and midieval cultures.. Its good for me to imitate them and incorporate (or reincorporate) that easy way of being..
Thanks for the comments Tobin. I think more traditional relationships to time have persisted in ‘the south;’ no doubt under assault though. Brother, if you feel you’ve retained your essential humanity (and knowing you somewhat, I think you have); you ain’t all wrong, for sure.
Well, its all a matter of degrees, I think. Your article is a good reminder to me, just like yesterday’s meeting with Bernardo. Often I get lost, but something or other always brings me back sooner or later.
"Any reclamation of our shared humanity is, at this point, a political and revolutionary act."
I have thought on the matter of work and time a lot throughout my life. I rebeled, you might say, at an early age from what was expected: having "a good Christian work ethic", getting a steady job and giving thanks to God when you get one.
Yet it's taken decades for me to become comfortable with these inclinations and to see what good judgement there was at a deep level in choosing the trajectory I did. Even so, the domination and internalization of purpose-driven activity often overtakes me and makes me less human.
Yesterday, I met a man in his seventies who owns a species of high class restaurant incorporated into his house. He was standing outside on the sidewalk, no one inside, and saw me and asked what I might need. Ah, just a place to sit down and maybe have some coffee, I proferred. He brought out a couple of chairs and we sat in the sun and chatted in a casual, relaxed manner.. It came to my mind that at that moment, though there were a number of important or essential things I thought I should accomplish, I need not stress or try. I was just to be there and allow the moment to be... To be human, as you say.
I've noticed how Latin Americans have a different way of relating to time, to work, and to each other, something akin to the difference you speak of between modern and midieval cultures.. Its good for me to imitate them and incorporate (or reincorporate) that easy way of being..
A caveat about Latin Americans... After visiting with the old man, Bernardo was his name same as my grandpa, he sent me to the Municipal building to talk to someone there about where I might camp. I was amazed at how many offices were inside and how many people busy about this thing or the other. It saddened me you might say. They seemed lost in their role, their identity, as public workers. They were less human than they might otherwise be it seemed.
I sometimes notice this about certain people. In Latin America, there is still something of the old preserved, but the new, officiality, productiveness to be productive is also prevelant and blind to itself.
Self-observation and self-allowing (allowing oneself to be) seem key to this political revolution you speak of.
I love your closing statement:
"Any reclamation of our shared humanity is, at this point, a political and revolutionary act."
I have thought on the matter of work and time a lot throughout my life. I rebeled, you might say, at an early age from what was expected: having "a good Christian work ethic", getting a steady job and giving thanks to God when you get one.
Yet it's taken decades for me to become comfortable with these inclinations and to see what good judgement there was at a deep level in choosing the trajectory I did. Even so, the domination and internalization of purpose-driven activity often overtakes me and makes me less human.
Yesterday, I met a man in his seventies who owns a species of high class restaurant incorporated into his house. He was standing outside on the sidewalk, no one inside, and saw me and asked what I might need. Ah, just a place to sit down and maybe have some coffee, I proferred. He brought out a couple of chairs and we sat in the sun and chatted in a casual, relaxed manner.. It came to my mind that at that moment, though there were a number of important or essential things I thought I should accomplish, I need not stress or try. I was just to be there and allow the moment to be... To be human, as you say.
I've noticed how Latin Americans have a different way of relating to time, to work, and to each other, something akin to the difference you speak of between modern and midieval cultures.. Its good for me to imitate them and incorporate (or reincorporate) that easy way of being..
Thanks for the comments Tobin. I think more traditional relationships to time have persisted in ‘the south;’ no doubt under assault though. Brother, if you feel you’ve retained your essential humanity (and knowing you somewhat, I think you have); you ain’t all wrong, for sure.
Well, its all a matter of degrees, I think. Your article is a good reminder to me, just like yesterday’s meeting with Bernardo. Often I get lost, but something or other always brings me back sooner or later.
I love your closing statement:
"Any reclamation of our shared humanity is, at this point, a political and revolutionary act."
I have thought on the matter of work and time a lot throughout my life. I rebeled, you might say, at an early age from what was expected: having "a good Christian work ethic", getting a steady job and giving thanks to God when you get one.
Yet it's taken decades for me to become comfortable with these inclinations and to see what good judgement there was at a deep level in choosing the trajectory I did. Even so, the domination and internalization of purpose-driven activity often overtakes me and makes me less human.
Yesterday, I met a man in his seventies who owns a species of high class restaurant incorporated into his house. He was standing outside on the sidewalk, no one inside, and saw me and asked what I might need. Ah, just a place to sit down and maybe have some coffee, I proferred. He brought out a couple of chairs and we sat in the sun and chatted in a casual, relaxed manner.. It came to my mind that at that moment, though there were a number of important or essential things I thought I should accomplish, I need not stress or try. I was just to be there and allow the moment to be... To be human, as you say.
I've noticed how Latin Americans have a different way of relating to time, to work, and to each other, something akin to the difference you speak of between modern and midieval cultures.. Its good for me to imitate them and incorporate (or reincorporate) that easy way of being..
A caveat about Latin Americans... After visiting with the old man, Bernardo was his name same as my grandpa, he sent me to the Municipal building to talk to someone there about where I might camp. I was amazed at how many offices were inside and how many people busy about this thing or the other. It saddened me you might say. They seemed lost in their role, their identity, as public workers. They were less human than they might otherwise be it seemed.
I sometimes notice this about certain people. In Latin America, there is still something of the old preserved, but the new, officiality, productiveness to be productive is also prevelant and blind to itself.
Self-observation and self-allowing (allowing oneself to be) seem key to this political revolution you speak of.