I don’t know how other people’s minds work, but mine has always been flooded with waves of concurrent thoughts intercepting each other, colliding with each other, contradicting each other, at any given time of any given day. Even when I try to do meditation or yoga, the ‘noise’ in my head refuses to stop. And all my life, I have wanted to know what it would feel like to have my mind empty of thoughts, blissfully silent, even if this lasted for only a few seconds. Inevitably, when my wish eventually came true, it was at the worst possible time: my mind chose to go blank – joyfully devoid of words, thoughts or images – in the middle of a speech I was delivering at a public speaking contest.
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“To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.” (Life Magazine’s motto, as featured in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) The Secret Life of Walter Mitty had a production budget of 90 million USD, and as such it is packed with special effects and breathtaking scenery filmed in remote locations. But the story goes beyond that. It explores the purpose of life (a subject too vast to be tackled here) and the power of imagination, which is the subject of this blog post. It is not often I burst into tears when receiving a gift, but that is what happened on Christmas when I opened one of Mark’s presents. First he explained that it had been a small odyssey finding this gift. He had been looking for it for years, and recently found it on two on-line catalogues in Australia; but his orders were cancelled in both cases because they didn't have the item in stock. Finally he bought it from an eBay merchant in the States, who sent it by express post to ensure arrival before Christmas (it arrived on Christmas Eve). After all that effort, Mark hoped that I would like it, but he didn't expect me to cry. He knew, at that moment, that it had all been worth it. Do you remember the person who inspired you the most?
I am not referring to a role model, writer, or historical figure. Think of the teacher, parent, mentor or friend who recognised a particular talent you possess and who, by encouraging you to pursue it, helped define the person you went on to become. She or he might have been an influential figure in your formative years, or they might have made their entrance later in life, as happened in Merrion’s case. Video: Andrew Host delivering his speech, 'Good from Bad' at the 2010 Area 16 Toastmasters Contest - courtesy of Andrew Host
How to Change a Life in Seven Minutes - Someone (possibly Jose Marti, the Cuban poet and revolutionary) once said that in order to leave a lasting legacy, there are three things we need to accomplish in life: have a child, plant a tree and write a book. Having recently published a novel as an eBook, Exuberance, I have been reflecting about the legacy and impact that our words have on others; and not just the words written in books. |
Midnight MusingsAuthorBel Vidal - Débutante novelist (author of Exuberance), blogger, Archives
December 2023
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