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IN OUR OWN SHOES
Sunday Apr. 24, 2016
Where do you stand?
Did early man survive, become fittest, with YOU in mind?
Or me?
Mozart, Shakespeare, international space stations, microbiology, or TED talks?
Did early man survive from desire to see your grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing, did they survive to foresee ridiculous politics, bizarre religion mutations and so many bad movies?
What did they do for fun on Saturday night – primal drive to survive, or the joys of reproduction – unwittingly along for the ride? Early couples, genealogical planners, or driven to feed themselves, reproduce and protect their young?
Centuries, artful partnering, statistical unlikelihood – no accidents, we we’ve been custom-bred – some for beauty, some for speed, some for science, some for art. Some for ________.
Inconsequentiality of every single thing we’ve done – in practical terms, forms no force or effect within our lifetimes, much less beyond.
Exceptions? Yes, a few. While many people and their actions influence and might be remembered by many, they won’t be remembered long. Yet, we strive for accomplishment. Why?
Recognition, accomplishment, proves we did it, whatever we did was worthy of recognition. Seems to matter to us, that we be noticed, praised for what we’ve done exceptionally. Is that it?
What if we did something exceptionally noticeable – but bad, ill-intentioned and self-serving, would that be worthy of recognition? Perhaps that explains some people …
Random chance made by our great-great-great-great forefathers and foremothers in how they connected, their descendants selected partners, their descendants selected partners – if they made even one different choice, you wouldn’t be here?
Someone else, slightly different, would be walking in your shoes. Or mine.
Our footsteps, someone else’s future, and past …
Mark Kolke
written / published from Calgary, AB
morning walk: 2C/35F, overcast, probability of rain (we had a short spraying yesterday but nothing sustained), refreshing and quiet – more green shoots for Gusta to munch, deep breaths of fresh air remind me it’s still April, not summer.
Reader feedback:
OPENING SOLITARY CONFINEMENT’S DOOR
Insightful witty and they resonated with me. Thanks, WT, Calgary, AB
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