Not long ago I mentioned to a friend that I didn’t know what my purpose in life was anymore and he suggested that maybe I didn’t need to have one.
I’ve chewed this over but keep returning to wanting a reason, it’s not enough when going to the tip is the highlight of the day.
I’m reminded of being a teenager and having no idea of what I wanted to do with my life then and it’s much the same now. I’m clear about what I don’t want to do. This year’s plans all involved travel. I feel stuck, haven’t done any clearing up after Carol in my house since August 2019. Stasis versus a desire for excitement and activity.
I do want a purpose, I don’t want to drift, I want to use my rediscovered confidence. I like that I don’t have to make compromises and that my life is entirely mine to do with as I wish. It’s a powerful heady mix.
I’m a little bit fitter, a tiny bit thinner and have improved posture. Working towards something, but what it is still eludes me.
Another friend told me about a widower who had moved house in the year since his partner died. I’m not ready for that yet, not while I’m in this state of inertia.
I’ve been wondering about why I have the music of The Chicks so much in my head over the last few months and not Brucey boy. He’s had something to say to keep me going over the last 35 years and I’ve felt in sync with him. He released Western Stars last year and it’s ok but I don’t play it very much.
A few people I’ve met/know have talked about the pain of divorce, which I also know about and how it’s not the same as widowhood and no it isn’t. But the pain is just as real, at least with death there is a distinct ending.
This may be why the latest album Gaslighter resonates for me, it’s all about divorce and the raw pain is there for all to hear.
At the moment a lot of the tunes in The Chicks’ back catalogue are speaking to me very loudly. Also the fan page on Facebook is really friendly and welcoming!
So what to do, the bloody virus is not abating, the world’s in turmoil and I’m stuck in my house, often horribly lonely and now quite a lot bored. I will at least consider any suggestions anyone wants to make.
Long Way Round It’s been two long years now Since the top of the world came crashing down And I’m getting’ it back on the road now…. Well, I never seem to do it like anybody else Maybe someday, someday I’m gonna settle down If you ever want to find me, I can still be found Taking the long way Taking the long way around | Truth No.2 You don’t like the sound of the truth Coming from my mouth You say that I lack the proof Well baby that might be so I might get to the end of my life Find out everyone was lying I don’t think that I’m afraid anymore say that I would rather die trying |
Ready to Run Ready, ready, ready, ready, ready to run All I’m ready to do is have some fun What’s all this talk about love | Mississippi Well my ship’s been split to splinters It’s sinking fast I’m drowning in the poison Got no future Got no past But my eye line’s not moving, it’s light and it’s free I’ve got nothing but affection for those who’ve sailed with me |