i long for things that i can't whisper to myself (except in the dark of my room, late...late...late at night). the dreams of say - taking off for a trip around the world with just my camera, a few books and whatever else an intrepid modern day margaret bourke white might carry in her backpack. longings are the things that i feel that i've grown too responsible for...to old to do ... or too poor. and (pish...pish) i know if that was truly a dream i would fight to make it happen. so is longing a fear....or a crutch?
i say no... i say that longing in this way is a way to allow ourselves to take magical adventures. a way to take the dreams we have for a test drive before planning the plans of action. when dreams manifest, you can bet longing had a hand in that manifestation. longing is the beginning of the promise that dreams urge you to keep. promises that you are scared to hope for....promises that secretly nudge at you until hope finally wins. do you long? do you laugh them away? does longing make you feel as though you settled? longing makes me feel alive and as long as i yearn, i know that i will continue to dream. and as long as i dream...i'm alive.
today's gratitude - i am thankful for the ability to long - to yearn - to dream magical dreams. and as i long, i take the time make plans for dreams to become actions. longing allows my practical side to take flight and roam free. it is a beautiful time.
today on my i-pod - fly me courageous (drivin' n cryin'), desire (u2), here comes the sun (the beatles), building a mystery (sarah mclachlan), i wonder (chris isaak), beautiful (india arie)
I must be careful with longing...as for me it can turn into obsession... I am getting over longing and it almost broke me to pieces. I think I will stick to dreaming :)
ReplyDeleteI try to stay away from longing and dreaming.
ReplyDeleteMost of my life is behind me now...and longing never seemed to work for me. If I wanted something I just went and worked till I had the money to get it. Nothing has ever come easy for me.
I think dreaming is a normal and healthy thing to do. Without dreams, would we ever take the risks that lead to the best parts of our lives? How would we move forward or take the next step if we had nothing to walk toward? I am a thorough advocate of dreaming.
ReplyDeletexo Erin
oh I so understand this ..I love the way you describe it char
ReplyDeleteLonging.... dreaming of the attainable, yes I think I've longed, then dreamed, to finally make things come true! Nice post.
ReplyDeleteI love this. The words longing and ache go together very well.
ReplyDeletebeautiful. Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend.
ReplyDeleteCool black and white photo! I've never thought about the difference of longing and dreaming. Good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteRight now those "promises I hope for" seem far, far away . . . still longing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post,
Karon
http://anewlifeunleashed.blogspot.com/
Wonderfully written, Char. Beautiful photograph.
ReplyDeleteoh wow....i've never thought it about it this way before. but longing i think can get me into trouble...fixated....obesessed...sucking the life out of me....i think i'm just a dreamer....for now :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautifully written post Char! Longing and yearning mean aching to me...and yes it is part of living...
ReplyDeleteI have absolutely loved every single one of your gratitude posts!
Without our dreams and yearning...we would have nothing to look forward to...no goals. So I'm living the dream! Or at least attempting to.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words, Char. I hadn't thought of the differences, but I see them now. Longing tends to bring a bit of heartache, me thinks. But it's my favorite when longing turns into a dream. :)
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