Late 1990, I resigned from my job. I explained that I felt like a library, at which books were borrowed but never returned. One of the audit partners seemed to understand my position but was baffled. It’s fine being a teacher, unless you stop learning. Both owners didn’t make any teaching effort.
Lately, I’ve come to realise that I’m back on that one-way street in life. Many people take but do not give anything in return. Those disappointments feel like face slapping, and/but also as wake-up calls. Even hiding from life is no longer enough. How do you resign from life, while continue living?
Once you stretch the roundabout of life long enough, any roundabout will feel like a never-ending one-way street.
That road is also known as the Cradle to Grave.
Any road has a destination (eg, Rome). If we focus on our destination then we will overlook our perspective in life (eg, detours, exits, scenery).
Some people view living off-the-grid as a solution. “Off-the-grid is a system and lifestyle designed to help people function without the support of remote infrastructure, such as an electrical grid.”
It’s not a solution for me.
I do not mind being on a one-way street or on the roundabout of life – as long as I’m not alone. The idea of being alone for the rest of my life, no longer appeals to me. I still doubt that my love for solitude could – or would – change into a fear over loneliness. Still, why would I? My risk appetite is low.
Some beautiful quotes on roads and destinations:
- “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “Roads were made for journeys, not destinations.” Confucius
- “You may not find a path, but you will find a way.” Tom Wolfe
- “Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” Izaak Walton
- “I may not have ended up where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.” Douglas Adams
My Ship Is Comin’ In (1965) by The Walker Brothers
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Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise.
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