What an interesting experience, John! I love the idea of your shadow being you, but somehow separate from you as well. And your walks through your neighborhood sound lovely.
I wish "self awareness" could be appreciated universally. Seeing our shadow, looking in the mirror, asking a close one to reflect on how we sound. Actually looking at ourselves as others see us. It can be shocking. And/or helpful if we want to grow as we grow old.
I recently joined a town committee. I am an "agricultural commissioner". Sounds fancy, but it ain't. We are focused on preserving what little farming is left in town. We work on getting farms protected via tax breaks and conservation restrictions. Now that we are legally a "right to farm" town, we talk about "chicken keeping by-laws". Exciting, eh?
Here's the point. Because of the state's "Open Meeting Laws" each meeting is recorded on Zoom. I happen to be the clerk. Which means I watch the meeting later in order to construct the minutes.
I watch myself. I listen to my voice. I hear my sentence construction. I see my receding hairline. Am I mumbling? Am I being too adamant or not loud enough? What are the expressions on the faces of my very fine teammates as I speak?!
The first time I watched one of these, my reaction was OMG, really? But as I watched more, I gave myself a break. "Not too bad, for an old coot." And realized this was a terrific tool to tweak my speaking style and improve.
The hairline will continue to recede and I will still be an old coot. But I may speak more effectively. As I learn more about the team and our challenges, I'll feel more confident in my ideas.
John, I suspect my shadow might look similar to yours, at least in terms of gate and level of agility. Walk safely!
Thanks Bill. Funny, I grew up in Duxbury, in the north part of town where there were family farms and the neighbourhood social life centred around the Grange Hall. More than 25 years ago my father sent me a clipping of a newspaper article entitled "The last farm in Duxbury," and since then I've read of cranberry bogs being filled for accommodate housing. The last time I visited, the Grange Hall had been sold and is now a synagogue. Times really do change, and I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that we change with them. Seems like you've adopted a good attitude toward it; I'm trying too!
Duxbury! A lovely town. I lived in Scituate for a bit, before joining my wife to be in Concord. After our adventures and careers in Maine, we landed in Acton. Lots of 250 anniversary stuff to happen here next weekend. I think my sign may say:
According to Jungian theory we all have our shadow side. Developing greater self-awareness involves recognising our shadow side and integrating it. A hard task!
I loved this piece. It rings true to me as I walk along the streets of NYC and see my reflection in the store windows. I wonder: who is that old guy (81). I am still coming to terms with it. I think I will try to find a slimmer and more youthful shadow. I do so appreciate your posts.
Thanks! That part of town seems to stay the same. We've seen a lot of change in Nice since we first visited here, and even since moving here three years ago.
John, I have been thinking of my changing gait as well. Not through my shadow, but through my feeling slower, so I can really relate to the strange awareness. I am remembering my younger self and how agile I was. Where we live is fairly flat so no hills to climb. My husband who has always been a fast walker still is, but he slows down for me as normally my pace is slower.
Your walk sounds lovely. You make me want to visit Nice. Your day does sound like it gets off to a tranquil start. I realize how much I appreciate just the quiet of my home, which is in a fairly quiet neighborhood. Even the Serbian restaurant with a beer garden across the street does not have a noisy crowd. The silence that I am able to often experience, is a friend. It is strange how reading your piece makes me conscious of my own life.
What an interesting experience, John! I love the idea of your shadow being you, but somehow separate from you as well. And your walks through your neighborhood sound lovely.
Thanks Clarice. I thought I might hunt through my photos and post some from my walk in a note.
I love this.
I wish "self awareness" could be appreciated universally. Seeing our shadow, looking in the mirror, asking a close one to reflect on how we sound. Actually looking at ourselves as others see us. It can be shocking. And/or helpful if we want to grow as we grow old.
I recently joined a town committee. I am an "agricultural commissioner". Sounds fancy, but it ain't. We are focused on preserving what little farming is left in town. We work on getting farms protected via tax breaks and conservation restrictions. Now that we are legally a "right to farm" town, we talk about "chicken keeping by-laws". Exciting, eh?
Here's the point. Because of the state's "Open Meeting Laws" each meeting is recorded on Zoom. I happen to be the clerk. Which means I watch the meeting later in order to construct the minutes.
I watch myself. I listen to my voice. I hear my sentence construction. I see my receding hairline. Am I mumbling? Am I being too adamant or not loud enough? What are the expressions on the faces of my very fine teammates as I speak?!
The first time I watched one of these, my reaction was OMG, really? But as I watched more, I gave myself a break. "Not too bad, for an old coot." And realized this was a terrific tool to tweak my speaking style and improve.
The hairline will continue to recede and I will still be an old coot. But I may speak more effectively. As I learn more about the team and our challenges, I'll feel more confident in my ideas.
John, I suspect my shadow might look similar to yours, at least in terms of gate and level of agility. Walk safely!
Thanks Bill. Funny, I grew up in Duxbury, in the north part of town where there were family farms and the neighbourhood social life centred around the Grange Hall. More than 25 years ago my father sent me a clipping of a newspaper article entitled "The last farm in Duxbury," and since then I've read of cranberry bogs being filled for accommodate housing. The last time I visited, the Grange Hall had been sold and is now a synagogue. Times really do change, and I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that we change with them. Seems like you've adopted a good attitude toward it; I'm trying too!
Duxbury! A lovely town. I lived in Scituate for a bit, before joining my wife to be in Concord. After our adventures and careers in Maine, we landed in Acton. Lots of 250 anniversary stuff to happen here next weekend. I think my sign may say:
"No King then, No King Now"
According to Jungian theory we all have our shadow side. Developing greater self-awareness involves recognising our shadow side and integrating it. A hard task!
John,
I loved this piece. It rings true to me as I walk along the streets of NYC and see my reflection in the store windows. I wonder: who is that old guy (81). I am still coming to terms with it. I think I will try to find a slimmer and more youthful shadow. I do so appreciate your posts.
Thank you, Frank, I truly appreciate it.
Love this!
Thanks! That part of town seems to stay the same. We've seen a lot of change in Nice since we first visited here, and even since moving here three years ago.
John, I have been thinking of my changing gait as well. Not through my shadow, but through my feeling slower, so I can really relate to the strange awareness. I am remembering my younger self and how agile I was. Where we live is fairly flat so no hills to climb. My husband who has always been a fast walker still is, but he slows down for me as normally my pace is slower.
Your walk sounds lovely. You make me want to visit Nice. Your day does sound like it gets off to a tranquil start. I realize how much I appreciate just the quiet of my home, which is in a fairly quiet neighborhood. Even the Serbian restaurant with a beer garden across the street does not have a noisy crowd. The silence that I am able to often experience, is a friend. It is strange how reading your piece makes me conscious of my own life.
This was beautiful, thank you for sharing. And congratulations on writing the French version!
BTW, I immediately recognized the photo in Nice, although I haven't been there nearly 20 years (when did I become a a real adult?!)