Tagged: passion

From the Vault.

Originally posted on 3-21-11, this piece is a simple reminder that, amid the challenges and stressors of life, anything remains possible to those whose spirits remain strong and steady.  Our outlook and perceptions of life affect our outcomes…stay positive, stay determined, and stay focused, and everything will be within reach.  And above all, let’s strive to develop an awareness of ourselves; that journey will always bear fruit!  Enjoy…and don’t forget to live today. 

I could have climbed the highest

peaks and 

trudged up frozen mountains, relying

on hardened grit and steely determination.

I could have sailed the high seas,

adrift on those deep waters,

depending on courage and endurance.

We tend to say we ‘could have’, as if

we are already dead,

or as if we have no choice.

We tend to reference our dreams as random

images that only occur when our

eyes are closed, and

we tend to say no before we’ve even

considered yes.

Our ship sinks before it ever tastes

the thrill of the wind, and before it 

has ever tasted the salt of the sea.

I say that I could have explored the depths

of dense jungles and remote lands,

which is true,

but I have explored the depths of my

own soul.

I’ve trekked the high hills and low valleys

of my mind,

and swam with the wayward memories within

my heart.

And what a journey that has been.

We could spend a lifetime staring

out of the window-

pondering how our lives could be,

or could have been,

wishing a life out of thin air,

and being disappointed when

our stunted efforts lead to mist and dust, but

most never strap on the boots and

ascend those frozen rocks.

Most never raise their sails high into

the unknown wind-

most never step foot into the thick tangle

of lost jungles,

and most fail to discover the uncharted

territory that lies just beneath our skin.

And our desires slowly slip away beneath

the regions that we’re unwilling to

discover,

those darkened corners that we’re afraid to

traverse-

and we wonder.

We sit-

We wait-

We die,

having never known the true warmth of

the sun.

I could have climbed the highest peaks,

but I know that I still can.

Until then, I find satisfaction knowing

that I’ve mastered the rapids of my own heart,

crossed the glades of my own soul,

and swam with the thoughts that linger

in my mind*
-G. Boston 

Theatrical Thursday – Harakiri (1962).

Harakiri is a slice of 1962 Japanese cinematic brilliance; the story of an old ronin (masterless samurai) who falls on hard times. Samurai were the masters of their craft, skilled in fighting techniques as well as the arts; during times of peace though, the fighting skills that earned them a living were useless. They were laid off, unemployed, and cast out into a world possessing a talent that was no longer needed. We are confronted with a challenged world at the moment, and the skills that we may have earned and acquired over the years could potentially be outdated, useless, or unneeded. Like the main character’s clear headed approach to this predicament, it’s important in times such as these to keep a clear, level outlook, and to be thankful for what we have and are able to do. So in many ways, this film hits home, and the overall message translates somewhat well.

In the film, lack of employment is a major factor and the driving force behind the motives and actions of the main character. He is a widowed former warrior who is forced to construct umbrellas as a means of supporting his daughter, son in law, and grandson. He is essentially destitute as a result of repeated attempts to make ends meet; the skills that he obtained through years of training are no longer of use, as there is no need for for them in a time of relative peace. In today’s world, I see a few loose similarities between having a degree and having warrior skills during peacetime; unemployment is so strikingly severe and widespread these days, that a degree provides no guarantee of employment. It didn’t matter how adept a samurai was back then, and it generally doesn’t matter how educated a job seeker is now. In the enclosed film trailer, the main character states, “This thing we call samurai honor is ultimately nothing but a facade”; is the tradition of collecting a university certificate indicating that one has completed a series of courses also a thin facade? Again, a very loose correlation, but still food for thought! Nonetheless, Harakiri is a very weighty, masterfully directed and acted film, more than worthy of your time.

 

Check it out!

 

 

From the Vault.

Originally posted back in 2011, this piece candidly portrays the passage of time, as our yesterdays, todays, and tomorrow’s reveal their distinct importance and influence upon our lives.  Each element holds a wealth of information, and each has a profound impact. Enjoy!
“Tomorrow is always the same”, today whispered

to yesterday,

and yesterday replied with a faint, flat smile;

leaves glistened in the crisp autumn breeze

as they discussed the significance of

hours and years,

time and eons,

the past and the present-

“tomorrow is actually what you make it”, today remarked

to yesterday after a long pause,

and both agreed in kind.

Tomorrow nodded in acceptance and mentioned

to today that yesterday should not be leaned

upon completely,

for today was the leader of the pack-

tomorrow said, “without you, I would not exist”;

“your efforts influence my outcome”-

but he pointed to yesterday and insisted

“you are equally important”, he said, “because

without you, today would not exist.

Without your intentions, he would not react-

without his reaction, what could I reveal?”

“we need each other”,

they all unanimously agreed-

“when we work in tandem, a strand of peace

weaves itself within and between us, and life

ensures that we will stride forward intact”-

they all nodded in agreement.

-G. Boston

From the Vaults. 

Originally posted on 12-11-13, this piece depicts the destructive and regenerative powers of earth, implying that beauty and strength can be found in all situations.
Earth, for all its beauty, is intent on its

own sustained destruction.

home grown demolition, fierce and consistent

and severe.

whirling winds and pulverizing plate shifts;

barbaric waves and the terrifically brutal spew of molten

agony

painting the landscape like a spirited artist with a palette of

hot orange,

black billowing smoke,

and fire.

the earth is angry-

that’s just one point of view-

a living mass of bound and shackled energy

bursting within

itself in a magma soaked rage,

the personification of angst and frustration with

no outlet but fury,

the elements of its true core still a mystery-

organically sustained destruction,

yet still fulfilling a predetermined purpose.

for each disaster, there are a thousand

seeds in bloom-

for each reaving of the landscape, there

are innumerable discoveries in waiting,

each exit creating a new beginning.

there is no end to its regeneration-

earth-

the great tortured soul,

the original self-immolator,

the flagellator of the ages,

concealing its guts with such a beautiful

mask-

stoned relentlessly for eons,

battered by its own children,

a lone voice among silent brothers,

eloquently patching over the steaming turmoil

boiling underneath-

earth-

take notes in her symbols-

But where is hope, then?

in the bowels of the sea,

in the claustrophobic canals worming through

the core,

in the depth of the blue above,

each revealing signs of perseverance,

adaptation,

evolution,

and the ability to overcome-

take notes in her symbols-

in the wooden arms and rustling

fingers of the winter trees,

pointing the way to heaven for those whose

eyes have been downcast too long-

for those who’ve forgotten which way to

look-

but again, that’s just one point of view*

-G. Boston