Denholm Elliott in the Merchant Ivory production of “A Room With a View” portrays one of my favorite wise characters. I love the scene at the pensione when he’s trying to convince two women unhappy with their accommodations to take his room which has a view.
“I don’t care what I see outside! My vision is within. Here is where the birds sing! Here is where the sky is blue!”
He is gesticulating with his dinner fork, poking himself in the heart all the while. Sometimes I need a good poke in the heart as well to wake up that inner vision. I find myself feeling bored and peevish, discontent with my fortune. Why a traffic ticket now? Why didn’t I get that early bird discount? What am I supposed to do with myself when it’s 95 degrees out, I’m wearing a tight corset, I’m at work, there are no visitors to talk to, and I’ve got no chores to do? Why am I feeling so stuck?!? Because I’m not taking responsibility and I’m not living from the inside out. I am waiting for the outside world to stimulate and satisfy me.
And the outside world would love to take over that job! There are a million things to distract and entertain and lead you from one external thing to the next. I spent 4 hours this morning at the Wisconsin State Fair, manning the Tourism booth in my 19th Century costume. A quick tour after my shift was all I needed to grab a lamb sandwich and some fresh roasted corn on the cob. I passed up all kinds of brightly colored, noisy stuff. I don’t need a chamois cloth or a giant roller coaster ride or chocolate covered bacon on a stick. They’re not really going to make me happy. I want to be satisfied from within, and I want that for my children. I tend to worry about their fortunes, too. How are they going to get a job? How are they going to pay off those student loans? How are they going to get around if their cars break down? I find myself getting anxious and peevish on their behalf, too. But really, more than catching a break, I want them to catch that inner vision. I want them to be able to be satisfied and happy and enthusiastic about life no matter what their outward circumstances show.
An inner life. Unassailable, regenerating, like solar energy that continues for millenniums. Do we even teach our children to cultivate that anymore? How are we supposed to have a moral compass if we don’t? How does a nation of outwardly motivated and distracted people develop a moral compass to guide their democratic process? I wonder about these things…..
That was another excellent post today. You make it look so easy. Thanks so much for sharing. I really enjoyed reading it very much. Have a wonderful day!
HI Scilla, I always love to hear from you. You always raise good questions and make us think. Looking inward for your own satisfaction is one of the issues my protagonist is wrestling with in my novel, Real Troopers, although she doesn’t know it at first. Great post, as always.
I pitched it last month at the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference, and am trying to polish it up to send to the agents and editors that requested it. Fingers crossed! I forgot to tell you, Scilla, that I smiled when you mentioned Denholm Elliott and The Room with the View. That is one of my favorite movies.
I love Room With a View too Scilla.. and this is a beautiful photo of Steve.. it suits the black and white treatment very well. There are many things I believe we should be helping our children with, self esteem, how to conduct a relationship successfully ( or have a good chances to), how to be in touch with nature and know that this is so important; but if we don’t now ourselves how can we hope to teach?
Good point. Our most effective teaching method is usually role modelling. Stressed out parents are creating stressed out kids and neither have very good self esteem, no matter how many “positive, encouraging phrases” they may use on a daily basis.
I like your phrase ‘living from the inside out’…..I do manage something approaching this, some of the time, (I consciously aim for something like this most of the time), but ……. there’s always room for improvement….
I’m afraid I also like the sound of chocolate covered bacon on a stick……Does this mean there’s no hope for me?
There’s always hope if there’s conscious aim happening. But truly, the taste of chocolate covered bacon on a stick is really more rewarding than the sound. It’s pretty quiet stuff. 😉
But…how can that be?
Chocolate…….?
Bacon…….?
Two more fab things I can’t imagine… (apart from Filipino chick wrestlers daubed in scented heat rub of course)…
Put ’em ogether on a stick…….WOW!
I’ve only tried the crispy bacon bits in dark chocolate bars. It’s definitely scrumptious.
scillagrace 
That was another excellent post today. You make it look so easy. Thanks so much for sharing. I really enjoyed reading it very much. Have a wonderful day!
HI Scilla, I always love to hear from you. You always raise good questions and make us think. Looking inward for your own satisfaction is one of the issues my protagonist is wrestling with in my novel, Real Troopers, although she doesn’t know it at first. Great post, as always.
Is this novel already published?
I pitched it last month at the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference, and am trying to polish it up to send to the agents and editors that requested it. Fingers crossed! I forgot to tell you, Scilla, that I smiled when you mentioned Denholm Elliott and The Room with the View. That is one of my favorite movies.
Fingers and toes both!
Thanks, Scilla!
I love Room With a View too Scilla.. and this is a beautiful photo of Steve.. it suits the black and white treatment very well. There are many things I believe we should be helping our children with, self esteem, how to conduct a relationship successfully ( or have a good chances to), how to be in touch with nature and know that this is so important; but if we don’t now ourselves how can we hope to teach?
Good point. Our most effective teaching method is usually role modelling. Stressed out parents are creating stressed out kids and neither have very good self esteem, no matter how many “positive, encouraging phrases” they may use on a daily basis.
Great reminder, just when I needed it. Thanks.
You’re very welcome!
I like your phrase ‘living from the inside out’…..I do manage something approaching this, some of the time, (I consciously aim for something like this most of the time), but ……. there’s always room for improvement….
I’m afraid I also like the sound of chocolate covered bacon on a stick……Does this mean there’s no hope for me?
There’s always hope if there’s conscious aim happening. But truly, the taste of chocolate covered bacon on a stick is really more rewarding than the sound. It’s pretty quiet stuff. 😉
But…how can that be?
Chocolate…….?
Bacon…….?
Two more fab things I can’t imagine… (apart from Filipino chick wrestlers daubed in scented heat rub of course)…
Put ’em ogether on a stick…….WOW!
I’ve only tried the crispy bacon bits in dark chocolate bars. It’s definitely scrumptious.
Crispy bacon…Dark chocolate……..
Sex on acid.