I saw the tail-end of a TV show once. I can't even remember what show it was. The characters worry mightily about what seemed like signs of aging and dementia in an elderly woman. She has filled her house with junk, and exhibiting odd behavior such as nailing old license plates to the wall.
Until an old friend appears, marveling at her business acumen. Turns out the "junk" is actually a wonderful accumulation of carefully considered collectibles that are now worth hundreds of times her original investment. For example, he points to a license plate nailed to the wall, which is extremely rare and worth several thousand dollars....
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all had such a "deus ex machina" to step forward, someone who could peer into our messy-looking lives, and announce its hidden purpose? Who could make some sense of our haphazard efforts? Wouldn't it be a relief if there were some way to put all our awkward attempts to live with meaning, with purpose, some way to put it all in order so it would make sense NOW?
Fumbling towards ecstasy....
I e-mailed a friend yesterday with this tidbit:
"Okay, here's an example of how bad I am right now.
I decided to work on cleaning up my jewelry-assembly table. It is six inches deep, 2x8 feet, of STUFF. there is not a clear inch of space.
I'm kind of rumbling around, and making some progress. I've sorted my sterling findings box, put away about 100 small bags of beads, put away some bead strands, consolidated stuff, thrown away some trash, etc.
I keep coming across a small thumbtack. It's old--rusted, old green paint, partially scrubbed off, very funky looking. I've picked it up THREE TIMES NOW, looking at it, because....it's really cool! I pick it up, put it in a "special" place so I won't lose it. Then come across it again, and move it again. Then again.
IT'S A THUMBTACK FOR CRYIN'OUT LOUD!!!!
What's wrong with me???"
Useless distraction? Or inspiration for a wonderful new art project?
Where is my D.E.M.???
