Artist: Joseph Mallord William TurnerI was in my 20s, I think, when I first came across the wonderful book, Markings by the late U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold. This work had a profound and lasting effect on me. It is his journal, actually, and is mostly a collection of his own fairly short meditations and sayings. Here's one of my favorites:
I don't know Who - or what - put the question, I don't know when it was put. I don't even remember answering. But at some moment I did answer Yes to Someone - or Something - and from that hour I was certain that existence is meaningful and that, therefore, my life, in self-surrender, had a goal.
A wonderful quote and a wonderful painting...thank you, thank you, thank you.
ReplyDeleteannie c
How wonderful that out of such vagueness and unknowing should come such certainty of purpose. Something to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn L.
I agree, Carolyn. By the way, I think you'd like Markings if you haven't come across is yet.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like the painting, Annie. Turner's technique with light is just amazing. I love his work, actually.
I've ordered it from the library. Thank you, Ellie.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn L.
Wonderful, Carolyn. I think the only translation into English is the one by the poet, W.H. Auden. Auden also wrote a very informative and inspiring foreword so be sure not to skip that part!
ReplyDelete