You can't step in the same river twice.
Heraclitus told us this.
On the other hand, there's always a river in exactly the same place every time I stroll down the same path.
(Which presumably I can't do, because if I can't step in the same river twice, I probably also can't walk the same path twice. But. Never mind.)
Walk the path I do, even though I don't strictly need to.
I could stay home.
Warm, safe, dry.
There's no good cause to go adventuring.
And yet.
The path is there.
Thirst and curiosity draw me back to the river.
Over and over again.
If at first you don't succeed...
The first time I stepped into the river it was storm-swollen and churning.
It knocked me off my feet.
Swept me away. Far downstream.
I spent a great deal of time submerged.
The river transported me to places I'd never been.
It left me gasping for air, but alive.
Untold miles from where I'd fallen in, I dragged myself back to shore.
Soaked to the bone.
Shaking with cold.
I built a fire to warm myself.
And accidentally burned the whole damned forest down.
Another lesson learned.
...Try, Try Again
The second time I stepped into the river, I knew better.
Avoid rapids.
I found a spot that was shallow, still, and calm.
The footing seemed solid.
The water was tepid.
Wading in seemed...sensible.
It took a while for the first hints of stagnation to bloom into full-bore stench.
And the mosquitos?
Every bite is tiny. Still, taken together, they add up to real blood.
Back to shore again.
The Definition of Insanity is Doing The Same Thing Over And Over Again Expecting Different Results
That's it.
No more striving to cross the river.
It's just more solid ground on the other side, anyway.
Nope.
From now on, it's all about enjoying the splash landing.
I'm building a rope swing.
See you in the water.
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And accidentally burned the whole damned forest down.
Another lesson learned".
This is why I keep coming back Denise, even your devoid of coherency thoughts - put out in a moment of guilt or pressure - are purely you, it doesn't get much better than that. A hearty Amen to everything you said. (blog, blah, bla, blech) and from this, truth emerges.
Well, you asked for it!
There's a lesson in there somewhere.
Good to see you here Denise. Seriously. This place needs you.
Good to see you here Denise. Seriously. This place needs you.
Nice, Denise, very nice.
Heraclitus might have pointed out the constant change in life, but then you've got Parmenides who argued that ultimately nothing changes.
Maybe both are right...