Finding Meaning
V.J.’S WEEKLY CHALLENGE #31: DESTINATION
V.J. asked us to write on destination. At the moment I don’t feel I am going anywhere or moving in any direction. Living alone for the first time in my life, these past two years have been emotionally challenging. I question my reason for being here in this moment and the way life presents itself to me.
My solitude is a huge part of my life yet my mind is full of thoughts that wander. I set out to do something and end up doing something else. Then I remember what I had originally started out to do. (V.J. this is familiar)
My final destination is approaching, inescapable at my age. In the meantime I sense that I am at a standstill. This to me feels like a good thing. Yet I do have a little voice telling me I should do this or that, you know, be busy like everybody else.
The only thing is, I don’t want to be busy, I am happy being quiet and just being. Sounds so simple doesn’t it? Yet here I am, my own kind of destination until my destiny comes to get me to go somewhere else.
Haiku/Senryu
core destination
walking within my cloister
will I find meaning
©Hélène Vaillant
Wow, Hélène, this is such an honest portrayal of life beyond partnership, career, and ambitions. I love the haiku. I am happy being quiet, without busy, and yet, I still feel the guilt of needing to do more. Ah, life. I don’t see the link to my challenge, so I’ll link it up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you V.J., the link is right under the picture…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Odd – it doesn’t show up on my post although it works.
LikeLike
Thanks for you lovely comment V.J. That’s it for me now. Strange place to find myself right here, right now. Thank you for this prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so welcome, Hélène!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never read such an honest depiction of life after retirement before. It is very poignant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Robbie. My husband is in a nursing home and here I am still living in our apartment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know. That doesn’t sound ideal, I am sure you miss him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I miss him Very much and visit him often.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our destination constantly changes throughout our life and as you have described so well; sometimes we reach destinations of our making and sometimes our destiny is unknown. Thoughtful post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true H. I wonder where the next move will bring me. Right now I am happy being at this place.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Such a good read dear Helene and let me tell you are not alone. Our Lord is always there with you, talk to him, enjoy his company and all will be fine. Awesome Haiku, stay blessed in his Love.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the blessings Kamal. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome Helene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this. You sound like you are achieving the thing so many of us strive for – that is the art of being rather doing.
I’ve been living alone for quite a few years now. Mostly I really enjoy it. It’s good to see friends and family from time to time but my solitude suits me just fine too. Creating fills up much of my time as I’m sure it does yours. As the years go by I think we reduce down in a way so that we become more of the essence of our essential self. Your contentment is contagious – and that’s a super good thing. We need more happy people on this Earth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Suzanne, it is a stage in life that you understand personally through your own experience. It is wonderful to recognize it but to also accept it. We are both doing good! 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely poem. We are our own destination. Great
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊 thank you Sadje.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I can relate and feel every word as I am in my third year of saying good by to my husband of 50 + years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is not an easy challenge bcparkison. My own husband is now living in a nursing home while I am still in our apartment. It is a grieving too and one that continues. 56 years for us this coming June. Blessings to you bc, and to all that you do, be well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It takes alot of strength to ignore the “should” voice inside our heads. To keep busy, as you say. I enjoyed your post and thoughts on just accepting this new phase in life. Powerful Haiku. “walking within my cloister” — wow.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your appreciation. We all have that tiny voice nudging this way and that. As you wrote, it takes strength to ignore it. That’s the big test…
LikeLiked by 1 person
And it sure isn’t easy, especially when it may nudge the ones we love out of their comfort zones!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true!!
LikeLike
Dao DeJing
道可道，非常道。名可名，非常名。
無名天地之始；有名萬物之母。
Usual translation in English:
The Dao that can be expressed in words is not the lasting Dao.
The name that can be identified or written is not the lasting Name.
Ancient Chinese text had no punctuation marks .If you change the commas, you change the meaning all together. Instead of three worded, make it two worded, you get a different understanding.
For instance,
Dao yes (positive), Dao no(negative), that’s the usual dao (path).; same with the name. So life is how one puts the break or pause, and different meaning ( or destination) is then generated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your expertise and taking the time to write this splendid information Keng Huat. How interesting that changing a comma changes the whole meaning. There is much to learn from other cultures and their written languages. Your comment is appreciated.
LikeLike
It’s inspiring to re-read after a break; the word read has it’s origin meaning deliberate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
☺️ thank you.
LikeLike
The place of meaning, your inner sanctum. So well-written. Gorgeous, Hélène!
LikeLike
Lovely comment Susi 😊thank you for this
LikeLike
I think it’s perfectly fine to be perfectly fine. 🙂 I can sense your peacefulness. Lovely haiku, Helene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Diana. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Getting Where? – One Woman's Quest II
Ah yes the contemplative life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, right on!
LikeLike
I also sense your acceptance of what is and finding happiness in just being. That is a great gift. We all come to the end of our earthly destination, but life is more than that. Sorry to hear about your husband. To travel life`s journey alone can be a challenge. I have had my youngest, adult daughter living with me for the past few years, otherwise I`d be alone. Mental health issues have kept her close to me. I value her presence, but one day she will fly the coup and I`ll be happy for her. Then I`ll be offered another reality with a different flavour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand Olga. It is special to have her with you, though I am sure it is difficult at times, it will all be rewarding for you and for her too. Both my daughter and my son came back to live with us at different times. It is a very other connection when they are adults.
LikeLiked by 1 person