Tuesday 24 July 2012

I was drinking my morning illicit cup of coffee earlier, illicit because caffeine seems to be not good for those of us with M.E. however....I enjoy it and I've had to forgo quite a few things since being ill so I've reached a point of, "Oh what the heck and allow myself one cup savouring every sip!"  Anyway I was reading a magazine article, simultaneously raising my favourite cup to my lips, I reckon if I'm doing something illicit it had better look the part  and then I came across Tim Lott's words:

'Because I had learnt, more deeply than ever before, that life is lived not through fantasies of control, but by giving in to it and trusting to the future.  Why?  Who knows?  What happens now?  Again, who knows?  And isn't that the wonderful perfect, remarkable thing about being alive?  The uncertainty.  You must love the uncertainty.  Because only when you have begun to accept that life is as insubstantial as a wisp of smoke and that you are helpless, that it will end in death and oblivion, can you discover the true joy of simply breathing, and looking, and being, just being, right here, now.'    -Tim Lott- 
 Uncertainty according to the Chambers Concise dictionary means not sure or certain, not definitely known or decided, not to be depended upon, likely to change, though it can also mean lacking confidence or hesitant.  So the fact that I'm uncertain dealing with uncertainty poses a difficulty....certainly.
Mind you, if I'm uncertain then even that difficulty itself becomes uncertain surely?  Which is what Mr Lott was saying I think, although I don't like to think that there is only oblivion after death, that's not a certainty and therefore he can't then be certain of that outcome of course.  ;)))
However....'The moment when you first wake up in the morning is that most wonderful of the twenty-four hours.  No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen.  And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot.  The possibility is always there!'  -Monica Baldwin- 

6 comments:

Lynn said...

That kitty cat!

Thank you, Jane. I am lying in bed in the middle of the day with my third migraine in four weeks, feeling sorry for myself and struggling with wanting to control a LOT of different things (and people) that I cannot, and that quotation couldn't have come at a better time. You are an angel. xoxo

And a morning cup of coffee is my one remaining guilty pleasure, too.

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Jane:
There is a great deal to be said for 'just being' in our view.We are definitely with Mr Lott on that point at least. Ever since our lives no longer had to be governed by paid work and all the rigours that this brings, we love the idea that the day begins and is there to be made into something. But what...well, who knows what direction it may take and what adventures may befall one on the way?

We are saddened by the thoughts that ME governs your life in so many ways and so cruelly at times. We do, however, feel privileged to 'know' you and are the richer for your closely observed view of life in all its beauty and its absurdities.

We would definitely stray from the Lottian [is there such a term?]that life will end with oblivion. Our belief is otherwise. Hope springs eternal in our view!

WOL said...

As far as I'm concerned, any day where:
o More good things happened than bad things.
o I accomplish at least one thing that needs doing.
o I learn something new about the world.
o I experience something that makes me smile.
o I am able to engage in something I love.

Is a good day in my book.

Teresa Evangeline said...

I cannot imagine that life ends in oblivion. I'm going to live as though it does not. I like it better that way, and who knows? I can live with uncertainty. It actually is quite liberating. Interesting post, Jane.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Dear Jane,
You have that cup of coffee and savour every sip. I don't know but, I feel that the enjoyment that you get must outweigh the negative effects.
I don't think that I am a very deep thinker ..... I take each day as it comes, which is mostly groundhog day, the same as most people and, if I achieve a lot .... fine ..... and, if I dont ......well, that's fine too. I think that I would get a 'first' in 'just being ' ..... I'm really good at it !!!!!!!
...... and, I LOVE the photo of the cat on the bird table. They love places like that, don't they ?
.......... and, I am so excited about the Opening Ceremony tonight.We will be sitting down in front of the television with wine, food and a box of tissues as it's going to be emotional I think. It is apparantly going to be spectacular, spine-tingling, quirky, dark and very British !
Keep well and rested Jane. Much love. XXXX

Deborah Lawrenson said...

Hello Jane,

"Just being" is my favourite state, I think. Perhaps it's related to what Keats called Negative Capability. Very creative, in any case.

Re: coffee. I haven't drunk coffee (though I love it) for ten years because it doesn't agree with my nervous system. One of my lovely and thoughtful house guests brought me some Orzo Coffee - an Italian barley drink that does taste rather like lovely rich Italian coffee, and is completely caffeine-free. I'm getting quite a taste for it! I pretty sure you can order it online.