MUSINGS and other writing by Mark Kolke

. . . . . . there is no edge to openness

TODAY'S MUSINGS

FEEDBACK / COMMENTS

MARK SPEAKS

MARK'S SPEAKING TIPS

ARCHIVED COLUMNS

ARCHIVE WINTER 2020-21

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2020

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2020

ARCHIVE SPRING 2020

ARCHIVE WINTER 2019-20

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2019

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2019

ARCHIVE SPRING 2019

ARCHIVE WINTER 2018-19

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2018

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2018

ARCHIVE SPRING 2018

ARCHIVE WINTER 2017-18

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2017

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2017

ARCHIVE SPRING 2017

ARCHIVE WINTER 2016/17

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2016

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2016

ARCHIVE SPRING 2016

ARCHIVE WINTER 2015/16

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2015

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2015

ARCHIVE SPRING 2015

ARCHIVE WINTER 2014/15

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2014

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2014

ARCHIVE SPRING 2014

ARCHIVE WINTER 2013/14

CONTACT

MY REAL ESTATE LIFE

WHY I WRITE MUSINGS

SHORT STORY PROJECT

POETRY PROJECT

SELECTED OTHER WORK

 

I LOVE THE CLARITY OF IT
Sunday Aug. 17, 2014
 
 
 
Change – easily done. 
 
Easily, in our minds. Theory of change, idea of change – especially if we see others succeeding, is very compelling.
 
In theory.
 
Having someone write books, make speeches or give hands-on instruction – demonstrating something works, helps. Ought to be enough.
 
In theory.
 
Learning, adopting, becoming convinced change is important ought to be enough for most people to transform.
 
In theory.
 
Putting change into place that really works, I’m convinced, has to be a near-religious fervour, commitment to change, to process, to results.
 
I’ve been struggling with my ‘new regime’, not because I don’t believe in or embrace change. Not because I’m not dedicated to making these changes work, because I really am. I’m struggling because this process highlights for me how many half-hearted attempts at so many things have littered my landscape before.
 
With each morning’s sunrise, much taken care of already – an unwritten sequence of harmonious detail makes earth revolve. I realize nothing revolves around any one person. I don’t see answers in that. I only see simplicity. There is predictability.
 
If we can reasonably predict earth, reasonably predict others, why can’t we reasonably and accurately predict ourselves?
 
I’m leaving soon for brunch with a friend who has important things to discuss. I know he’s struggling with career/lifestyle choices. I’m pleased he has reached out to me for help – and yet I wonder what kind of help I can possibly offer. I can listen. I can eat. I can visit, but can I bring much to the discussion?
 
Recently – new experiences, finding balance, energy and staying on my path – these will help me to better help him.
 
In theory.
 
“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” - Henry David Thoreau 
 
If we don’t change, it is because we don’t want it enough, or at all. Excuses, reasons, obstacles and roadblocks – we all face them, but mostly the roadblock is ourselves, the obstacles are ones we pile up ourselves. 
 
To be tethered to someone else’s notions of how we ought to live our lives, to be anchored to someone else’s choices – this is not as simple a matter as cutting a rope or leaving town in the dark of night.
 
Change happens in daylight. It happens when eyes are wide open. There is no blaming the groggy thoughts of night’s middle or the intoxication of some moment when direction changed. Nobody to blame. Yet everyone is accountable.
 
Accountable for our own change, or for lack of it. Not to be harsh, but there is no quick fix. Change isn’t like retail therapy, where you can buy a new house, car or wardrobe, redecorate a home or office. No matter how pricey a new mirror might be, it can’t change who we see in it.
 
Some mornings, everything seems murky.
 
Some days, everything is clear.
 
In theory.
 
 
 
 
Mark Kolke
column written/ published from Calgary
 
morning walk: 17C/62F, light clouds, dampness (dew and overnight rain), Gusta’s soggy legs suggests she needs to go into the shop for a clipping soon. The say looks the same, but it isn’t. Traffic hum is low, Sunday-norman, but not the same. Something is different today . . .

Sign up to get MUSINGS by Email
» click HERE to be added to our list!
For Email Marketing you can trust

 

sign up to get Musings free daily


Comments are always welcome - please contribute to the discussion.  Reply to: kolke@markkolke.com

You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. This site is updated daily, each column is retained in the archive when the next day's column is loaded ...  


Copyright - all rights reserved - Mark Kolke, © 2003-2021