Age is truly a time of heroic helplessness. One is confronted by one’s own incorrigibility. I am always saying to myself, “Look at you, and after a lifetime of trying.” I still have the vices that I have known and struggled with— well it seems like since birth. Many of them are modified , but not much. I can neither order nor command the hubbub of my mind. Or is it my nervous sensibility? This is not the effect of age; age only defines one’s boundaries. Life has changed me greatly, it has improved me greatly, but it has also left me practically the same. I cannot spell, I am over critical, egocentric and vulnerable. I cannot be simple. In my effort to be clear I become complicated. I know my faults so well that I pay them small heed. They are stronger than I am. They are me.
~ Florida Scott-Maxwell, Measure of My Days
Related Post:
- Florida Scott-Maxwell quote and bio @ I kept calling to you, and you did not come
- Image Credit: Mme Scherzo. Portrait is NOT Florida Scott-Maxwell but loved her hair and she seemed to be a peace with her vices. 🙂 And who would she be? Someone important that I should know?
what she says reflects much of what I feel
I’m getting closer. Your words do remind of the Jung Quote:
She is beautiful, whoever she is. I think Jung’s quote can be advanced 10 years to 50 (at least that is my experience).
And SO agree on advancement of time! 🙂
I could go a bit further since I’m still doing research. But then there is a possibility that I’m a slow learner.
Oh, don’t get me started on slow learning.
She is as magnificent as her words.
She is…vices and all.
Our vices define us too..
Oh, I completely get THAT
I love the part about not being able to “order or command the hubbub of my mind.”
Yes, that is so me too. Hubbub on steroids
Good hearts get best when age has progressed 😉
Naughty thoughts and evil deeds..gets mischievous indeed
under cover of age that seems, wrinkled and white..frail to eyes
yet..inside the mind has developed a devil ready to pounce and kill
Age has matured their skills 🙂
Change is only in physical aspect..inner heart seldom can challenge one self
needs intentions and courage to do good deeds..
Magic.
🙂
Yet another great book to add to my list…thanks David. And, for me, it is the precious awareness which comes with age…everything comes into greater focus and all that we quickly passed by or failed to notice when we are young, suddenly becomes clear.
I’ve just started Carol. Highly recommended. It’s a sipper.
Love the picture. Her hair is beautiful!
It is!
i love her words and as i’ve aged, i’ve come to accept who i am and simply try to find the grace within that. the woman in the picture is lovely.
Me too Beth and she is…
My thought too…
Reblogged this on WORK IN PROGRESS and commented:
I’ve recently read about aging, middle age into old age. I’ve read about it in other blogs, and I’ve just finished “State Of Wonder,” by Ann Patchett, a novel which has a lot to say about the human condition and the inescapable consequences of aging. — John
Thanks for sharing John.
That is so me…thank you…
And me too Claudia.
[…] was taken with David Kanigan’s post the other day, quoting Florida Scott-Maxwell on aging, and including this beautiful photograph of […]
Sad but true; however it is from the struggles that change comes.
Yes, also so true.
love this madly. and, oh, to be that beautiful.
It is all that Sandy…
I can so relate to these lines:
“I cannot spell, I am over critical, egocentric and vulnerable. I cannot be simple. In my effort to be clear I become complicated. I know my faults so well that I pay them small heed. They are stronger than I am. They are me.”
When I read it I feel like as if it has always been there in my mind when I’m with myself…
Me too Sonia. I have yet, thought, to land in peace and comfort with the “they are me”.
On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 2:05 AM, lead.learn.live. wrote:
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Ahh.. I wish it was that easy.