UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Sunday Dec. 22, 2013
Ready, set, go.
Self-defensive reasoning, pack-rat tendencies – some things, mostly ideas, notions, sticky notes, articles, half-started files. Soon there are piles of files – this purge is on, to rid the ridiculous, shred the silly and dump the dubious. [except brilliant idea du jour(s) - can’t throw those away]
I pulled out files and made piles, emptied drawers and pulled taped things off doors – examining everything I didn’t complete this year, considering everything about which I’m not clear, discarding that which does not deserve to be here – right now, on this, next or any year’s agenda.
As 2013 days wane, focused on – this year, next year and trash – the magic of three.
Everything must be done, scheduled for 2014 action, or done-in.
‘Unfinished business, 2013 work’ strewn hither and thither – leaves little space for Gusta. She seems to delight in each piece I’ve dealt with – equally whether it goes to file drawer or trash can – she neither cares or worries. I wonder with each thing I’ve procrastinated all year, whether it really matters enough to keep . . . it is purge day, when that which cannot be done, should not be done and that which I should never have begun meets its fate. Bits, notes, notations, pitches, letters, proposals – this time of year permeate every active or pending file, to-do pile – carpet litter, snaked tapeworm-like, down hall, over hearth, make a sharp turn and lope lazily back again.
Annual self-therapy ritual involves questions like: will this be important a year from now? and Seems interesting, but if it is something that will produce income next month or next quarter?
Ready, fire, aim.
Mark Kolke
200,368
P.S.: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) sufferers must be feeling relief, shortest day of the year is done, every day from now to June 21st mean more daylight, more sunshine, more spring in our step for everyone – but first we must thrive and drive through winter.
column written/ published from Calgary
morning walk: -18C / -1F, overcast, gentle breeze, light dusting of snow overnight – like it was icing sugar – and lots of good sniffing for Gusta as we did our long-loop without critter or people encounters – refreshing.
Comments Received:
Hey Mark -- happy S-DOTYUH (shortest day of the year up here). You are absolutely right – life-altering moments aren't calculation (but calculation can set the conditions for such moments!). As you say, they happen, or they don't. They appear in the grind and noise and pleasures of our day-to-day, during the reformulation time of quiet reflection, and then in the silent swirl our dreams. The way I figure, a life-altering moment is akin to one of time's arrow that is strong, straight and clear enough to pierce all three. It won't be life-altering unless actions, reflections and dreams end up being completely connected with that arrow. Love can do it. Cupid could shoot that arrow. If the arrow only hits two of those three, you ain't got love. Or it could come from someone anonymously passing you on the highway who unknowingly jiggles loose a fist-sized roadway rock that smashes through your windshield and through your life forever. It could be a weapon of war, but if that arrow only hits two of those three, you ain't got remembrance day. Or maybe it comes in the form of a crystal-clear insight, an instant "aha" of discovery and understanding, finally solving a deep puzzlement. But if that arrow only hits two of the three, you ain't got a Nobel Prize, just an opaque line in some minutes of a forgotten meeting. That arrow might come from something as simple as stepping down from the bus onto the street, stubbing your toe on a stone hidden in the grass, or a three-second glance on the train that you know, at that instant, will last forever. Life is full of such moments ... so, please accept my season's greetings ... may you always have wonderful, warm times with family, friends and loved ones! Cheers / BE,. Calgary, AB
