If you are of a certain vintage you will possibly recognise the title of this post as being that of a song by Harry Chapin.
In this song Chapin told the story of a waitress and one of her customers.
It's a song or unrequited love, desperation and, in many ways, a lack of choices. The final line of the song sometimes echoes in my thoughts in an oddly motivational way...
"for I know I'm going nowhere and anywhere is a better place to be"
In this song Chapin told the story of a waitress and one of her customers.
It's a song or unrequited love, desperation and, in many ways, a lack of choices. The final line of the song sometimes echoes in my thoughts in an oddly motivational way...
"for I know I'm going nowhere and anywhere is a better place to be"
How many of us settle for 'anywhere' rather than striving for 'somewhere'?
Followers of some teachings might one to suggest that 'now' is the only place to be. Which could. of course be true. But does this mean we have to be 'ambition-less' and simply strive for inner peace?
If so, what place exists for development, creativity, innovation - all of which tend to hint at something not 'now' but of something 'yet to be'.
The woman in the song was clearly not happy with where she was (with being now) and was hoping for something better - but actually was disempowered enough to accept that 'anywhere' was better.
Followers of some teachings might one to suggest that 'now' is the only place to be. Which could. of course be true. But does this mean we have to be 'ambition-less' and simply strive for inner peace?
If so, what place exists for development, creativity, innovation - all of which tend to hint at something not 'now' but of something 'yet to be'.
The woman in the song was clearly not happy with where she was (with being now) and was hoping for something better - but actually was disempowered enough to accept that 'anywhere' was better.
In life we are always in 'motion', perhaps one of the definitions of life itself, and hence change us ever present, perhaps that is a state of being, We may find ourselves travelling along the track ways of our lives into an uncertain and cloudy future.
Whilst there is something fatalistic about this metaphor, we can be 'happy' or 'content' with the fact that the track has been laid and we are following to where it leads. In this metaphor when we are faced with sidings or the possibility to change 'track' when we come to the various 'points' in the railway we are almost forced to make a choice. Should that choice be about going 'anywhere' or should it be about creating pathways that require new track to be laid or even to step 'off the rails' completely and forge our own passage?
If you choose not to make a choice (anywhere is a better place to be) then perhaps you abdicate the right to bemoan it - since you chose not to choose.
If you choose to forge your own path (somewhere is where I want to be) then you take on the challenge of creating new destinations - so why not make these destinations as empowering as possible - as clearly defined as possible?
Whilst there is something fatalistic about this metaphor, we can be 'happy' or 'content' with the fact that the track has been laid and we are following to where it leads. In this metaphor when we are faced with sidings or the possibility to change 'track' when we come to the various 'points' in the railway we are almost forced to make a choice. Should that choice be about going 'anywhere' or should it be about creating pathways that require new track to be laid or even to step 'off the rails' completely and forge our own passage?
If you choose not to make a choice (anywhere is a better place to be) then perhaps you abdicate the right to bemoan it - since you chose not to choose.
If you choose to forge your own path (somewhere is where I want to be) then you take on the challenge of creating new destinations - so why not make these destinations as empowering as possible - as clearly defined as possible?
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To misquote Ian Anderson ... Everywhere is somewhere Even if you haven't been there (Another Christmas Song, Jethro Tull) So, for me, it's not so much about 'being now' or 'being there' it is about taking an active role in making choices about the way I travel and having an eye for some developmental and inspiring adventures along the way. Its about not choosing to be the victim of my own inertia, but actively choosing to 'be' or 'become'.... Go somewhere not just anywhere! Alan |
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