Oh my, this is wonderful Erik, both linguistically and conceptually! 👏 How can we deal with a complex uncertain universe, a buzzing blooming confusion viewed through a glass and darkly? “Science” can shed more light, but as individuals we must hold tight to what we can do within our little sphere of influence. Anything else is the way to madness (and there is a lot of that going on these days!).
My imagination goes rampant when I look at forests, either real or in pictures. I always wonder what's going on behind the tree line, how many ecosystems exist in there, and how long I'd survive if I ever got lost inside it. Those photos have my imagination in overdrive.
Aren’t they striking? They are just exposed trunks at the edge of a clear cut where they are building a new subdivision, but the way the light was hitting them that morning made them really pop from the shadows behind (and I encouraged that a little in processing them). I’m now thinking they might look better rendered in B&W.
I love the spirit of this piece.: we still have agency and must constantly make choices amidst uncertainty. Sometimes it feels like everyone's losing their minds over uncertainty...and that's...just life. Always has been, always will be. But we get to choose, amidst all that unknown, what we do and what we have influence over. "To fiercely embrace the unknowable..." what a perfectly applicable line...
Thanks Niki. Yes, to an extent We need to be aware of what’s happening in the world so that we can make reasonable plans and adjustments. But people are becoming hyper fixated on that. If we just focus on being good people we should be able to navigate whatever comes and maybe the world will be better for it, right?
That’s honestly a huge part of my personal philosophy…focus on being good people (the best, most whole versions of ourselves) and we are better equipped to navigate whatever comes our way..
This is very insightful. I think you might enjoy my series on the trees in Dante. https://open.substack.com/pub/ksbernstein/p/fallen-leaves-broken-boughs?r=r7xq6&utm_medium=ios
Thanks Erik. I love the perspective you weave into this post. You’ve given me fuel for today’s meditation.
I appreciate it Marshall! The musings are ever developing!
Beautiful reflections, in both your words and your photos
I really appreciate that Lia! Thank you!
Oh my, this is wonderful Erik, both linguistically and conceptually! 👏 How can we deal with a complex uncertain universe, a buzzing blooming confusion viewed through a glass and darkly? “Science” can shed more light, but as individuals we must hold tight to what we can do within our little sphere of influence. Anything else is the way to madness (and there is a lot of that going on these days!).
Very well stated Baird! That gets to the heart of it!
YOU got to the heart of it, Erik! I was just paraphrasing.
Wonderful musings on Stoicism, as well as the photos taken, thanks for sharing, Erik.
Thank you!
My imagination goes rampant when I look at forests, either real or in pictures. I always wonder what's going on behind the tree line, how many ecosystems exist in there, and how long I'd survive if I ever got lost inside it. Those photos have my imagination in overdrive.
Aren’t they striking? They are just exposed trunks at the edge of a clear cut where they are building a new subdivision, but the way the light was hitting them that morning made them really pop from the shadows behind (and I encouraged that a little in processing them). I’m now thinking they might look better rendered in B&W.
I love the spirit of this piece.: we still have agency and must constantly make choices amidst uncertainty. Sometimes it feels like everyone's losing their minds over uncertainty...and that's...just life. Always has been, always will be. But we get to choose, amidst all that unknown, what we do and what we have influence over. "To fiercely embrace the unknowable..." what a perfectly applicable line...
Thanks Niki. Yes, to an extent We need to be aware of what’s happening in the world so that we can make reasonable plans and adjustments. But people are becoming hyper fixated on that. If we just focus on being good people we should be able to navigate whatever comes and maybe the world will be better for it, right?
That’s honestly a huge part of my personal philosophy…focus on being good people (the best, most whole versions of ourselves) and we are better equipped to navigate whatever comes our way..