The unique smell of any decaying flora has to be one of the more notable signatures of change. It could be bouquets being donated after a wedding, flower arrangements moved at the conclusion of a funeral or perhaps the scent of a freshly mowed lawn. All indicate closure with the potential for renewal. It is interesting to note how the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell) have such a powerful hold on whom we are and how we develop. I have read that after a military battle, the stench and sight of death are such that the experience can never be forgotten. This is five days after the battle of Borodino on September 7th, 1812. (1)
“Napoleon had ordered the Westphalian (2) VIII Corps to stay and guard the battlefield, transport the wounded to hospitals, and bury the dead while the rest of the army continued on to Moscow. However, the corps could do little for the wounded, as the hospital system was rudimentary and no wagons or other means of transport could be found in the deserted villages. The Westphalians remained on the battlefield surrounded by corpses and dying men, and they were forced to change position from time to time on account of the stench. … Soldiers, Westphalians as well as Russian prisoners, were ordered to remove the corpses from the houses and the streets, and then a ‘cleansing’ of the whole town was necessary before it could be occupied by the troops.” (3)
The point of the five senses is to expose the psyche to data that is, in turn, delivered to our innermost being.“Our five senses — sights, hearing, touch, taste, and smell — seem to operate independently, as five distinct modes of perceiving the world. In reality, however, they collaborate closely to enable the mind to better understand its surroundings. ” (4)Many of us needlessly suffer because we inculcate ourselves with false, terrifying imagery that is not based on any external reality. We create the fear that tends to dominate our lives. We are afraid to act and decide that inaction is the best course of action. This sadly is not safety but a predetermined sentence to an unfulfilled life. It is my deep belief that each of us has an intrinsic value and a necessary mission to fulfill in this mortal life.
This destiny, however, can only be uncovered through movement and a touch of bravery. I must convince myself that the fears and frustrations, we all experience as sentient beings, can be mediated and placed in their proper context. Everything is possible in my life given the basic traits that are uniquely my own. I must believe this. This is not naïve bravado, but a realistic approach to life. We can critically think (5) through the problems of living and plan a strategy that leads to wholesome happiness. The point here is that I must be in control of me. There is nothing external to the self. My attitudes, my ambition, and my perception of the world will place me on the winning side of life or not. The choice is, most assuredly, my own. Life is ephemeral: change is the only constant reality.
The great poet, journalist, and poet, Anatole France (1844-1924) leaves us with a thought: All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy, for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter into another.
A closing thought: I have found that change is difficult. In this, I am sure that I am not special. I accept this aspect of life but “I don’t do it well,” as the pundits say. As with learning anything challenging and somewhat dangerous, I embrace what must be done, however menacing. The result is an increased sense of confidence and the belief that, if I am willing to push myself, greater success awaits.
To sum up: This week, we spoke about the acceptance of change and the personal power necessary to embrace it.
A philosophical point: I know a lot of jokes about unemployed people but none of them work.
Just for fun –
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto op.35 & Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
This week, on your grand walk, please reflect on change and how you reconcile your life to its adversity.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: I must be thankful in the morning, even when it rains.
Footnotes:
2) Westphalia
3) How were Napoleonic battlefields cleaned up?
4) Making Sense of the World, Several Senses at a Time
5) Jordan Peterson – The Best Way To Learn Critical Thinking