My goal has not been reached; but I am practicing. I don’t yet know when I shall succeed in learning not to write; the obsession, the obligation are half a century old. My right little finger is slightly bent; that is because the weight of my hand always rested on it as I wrote, like a kangaroo leaning back on its tail. There is a tired spirit deep inside of me that still continues its gourmet’s quest for a better word, and then for a better one still.
~ Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954), shortly before her death at the age of 81 from “Earthly Paradise: An Autobiography of Colette Drawn from Her Lifetime Writings”
Notes: Quotes: Brain Pickings. Portrait: ecritsdefemmes.fr
Live & Learn 
A kindred spirit!
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She is… Albeit operating at a higher plane than most of us.
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Ain’t that the truth! Ah well, it’s good to have something to aspire to, no? Keeps one on a forward trajectory….
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That’s it….
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i completely understand this –
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I understand this, applaud Colette, and thank her for inspiring me further. I’m off to learn more about this kindred soul.
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So glad that I had a wee bit to do with firing your inspiration. 🤗
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Wonderful writing. And she describes my kangaroo finger very eloquently too.
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Yes. Wonderful writer. As to a kangaroo finger, it would be akin to my forehead bangin’ on table.
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She’s right. Writing is an obsession!
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It is!
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There is something in her eyes,
Captivating, that look of knowing.
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Yes, come to look closer, there is.
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It’s amazing how in some of those old photos you can hear a pulse, a heartbeat almost.
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To always have a beginners mind. That is a gift. It is a life time of practice as she says. 🙏🏻
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Oh no doubt about that. I grope around like a toddler.
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Ha me too!
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“Learning not to write. ” I hope I never figure that one out.
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I’m still figuring it out.
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