On the plane back to Amsterdam, I am thinking about Louk's comment. As I told him of my quest, he said: "But you know that there is nothing out there; the only home you'll ever find is inside. Home is in your heart, man." My first reaction was: "He's right, what the hell am I doing? Home is where all great quests end - including the ones that inspire me the most. Like Siddharta's and the Alchemist's... They travel the world, only to find peace at home." So yes, I know that any quest is futile...
Or is it, really? Would the heroes of all great stories have attained enlightenment without ever leaving home? Was their yearning to seek & discover a mistake, a fluke? Or was the journey an integral part of their path into the Light? The path is the goal, right? Follow your heart, right? And the heart is full of desire - is it not?
Yes it is. So for now, this reluctant hero continues his quest. During my journey, I will elaborate a little on what moves me, what makes me move. I'm writing for my own entertainment and education, if for nothing else... And not only while I'll be traveling, but also in this temporary homestead, Amsterdam ;-))
And another thing. I changed the title of this story from 'A Good Place to Die' to 'A Good Place To Live & Die'. The reference to Little Big Man's Indian saying escapes most readers. They think my original title was too gloomy: "You are not about to kick the bucket, are you?" No, I'm not. I intend to live for many more years - as long as I manage to stay healthy and lucid. That is why I think it's important to find a place that fits this day and my age.
This blog now has three followers: Fleur, Kamiel and Maaike. Maaike, you inspire me to continue writing, as you blogged for years about a horticultural project in Johannesburg.
No comments:
Post a Comment