TIME ASSUAGES
It is always good to turn to Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) for some prescient words of advice. I offer this on hearing news of the death of actor David Carradine (1936-2009). What I find appalling are the trite and irresponsible comments offered over the internet, almost immediately after his death, making light of the man. The internet is full of such motley fools, mocking people and things they don't understand, believing that they know more than they actually do, and pretending to be wise, they make a great show of themselves to a world which they make more miserable.
David Carradine chose his own lifestyle, either for good or ill. He was a fair and accomplished actor, and through some of his personal interviews, one can detect a sense of humility about him that is not often found in his community. I do not believe that he was putting on a facade at a time when many people do so to enhance their image. Many of us will remember this actor in his most remembered role of the traveling monk in the old American West seeking wisdom. We may honestly ask what wisdom led this man to do what he did? But who are we to judge his last moments as some of these vituperative internet writers tend to gloat about? I find that this is more an occasion for regret, that a man of accomplishment should have found living to be so confining to have it end so soon.
There is one single, outstanding, perfect fact of life to carry with us. We are not here by chance, life is a gift. Practice conservation with it. Let it soak into you until you are controlled by the thought that you do not live a purposeless life, that you do have meaning and that it can be found. Carradine's death by his own hand, reminds us that we are all to search out our lives before we find that there is nothing more to live for. There is always more to live for, but there is not always much time should we squander it, for we are not granted time equally.
David Carradine chose his own lifestyle, either for good or ill. He was a fair and accomplished actor, and through some of his personal interviews, one can detect a sense of humility about him that is not often found in his community. I do not believe that he was putting on a facade at a time when many people do so to enhance their image. Many of us will remember this actor in his most remembered role of the traveling monk in the old American West seeking wisdom. We may honestly ask what wisdom led this man to do what he did? But who are we to judge his last moments as some of these vituperative internet writers tend to gloat about? I find that this is more an occasion for regret, that a man of accomplishment should have found living to be so confining to have it end so soon.
There is one single, outstanding, perfect fact of life to carry with us. We are not here by chance, life is a gift. Practice conservation with it. Let it soak into you until you are controlled by the thought that you do not live a purposeless life, that you do have meaning and that it can be found. Carradine's death by his own hand, reminds us that we are all to search out our lives before we find that there is nothing more to live for. There is always more to live for, but there is not always much time should we squander it, for we are not granted time equally.
They say that "Time assuages"--
Time never did assuage--
An actual suffering strengthens
As Sinews do, with age---
Time is a Test of Trouble--
But not a Remedy--
If such it prove, it prove too
There was no Malady---
Emily Dickinson
posted by Irish Poet Dom Giovanni | 6:48 PM
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