Another piece of “How I met your mother” life philosophy (see –> Right place, right time) and another view on that life might get understood backwards, but needs to be lived forward (see –> Life is today). So both seems to be close to me …
„Footprints in the sand“ (see below) resonates very much with me. David Bowie references the poem in his 2002 song „I would be your slave“
„I don’t sit and wait I don’t give a damn I don’t see the point at all No footprints in the sand I would give you all my love Nothing else is free Open up your heart to me And I would be your slave“
One of my favourite and most intense David Bowie concert moments, when he threw this song into the red light of the sunset as if he was disputing God.
Thought the poem is addressed to God, for me this could as well be addressed to one’s parents, lover, friends, you name it. As well Bowie actually has always been ambiguous who „I would be your slave“ actually adresses to.
In which way ever one would like to interpret the poem, it’s gives much comfort to have someone who cares next to you when the times get rough. In these moments, however, the view is often so narrowed that we no longer even notice a supporter. One thing to consider from time to time. And on the flip side – if you are the one on the sunny side, then you might as well be the one who is carrying the other. So worth looking out for footprints …
„One night I had a dream…I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life, There was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it. “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, You would walk with me all the way; But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, There is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why in times when I needed you the most, you should leave me.
The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child. I love you, and I would never, never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.“
What to say when everything has already been said? – Answer is: I do not know (yet). For now – and you might want to stop reading at this moment – this is just for me. I feel that I got to a point in my life to take inventory – what (and who) has been important, what (and who) is still important, what has done me good (and what didn’t), where am I coming from and where do I want to go?
Now, it feels right to put it down in writing, in a way that someone else is going to read it, not only me. This should motivate me to be more concrete, not to leave too much between the lines. And to force me to become more concrete for myself, where it might be easier to stay vague. Then why not make it public …
First of all it is very likely that nobody will read this anyway. If one does – perhaps new insights and inspirations will result (–> Energy is never lost). Who knows… And yes, I will need to consider how open I am willing to be. Not sure yet. But what do I actually have to lose (–> You never know who is watching)?
