Lightly Child, Lightly

~ Live & Learn

Goethe’s final words: “More light.” Ever since we crawled out of that primordial slime, that’s been our unifying cry: “More light.” Sunlight. Torchlight. Candlelight. Neon. Incandescent. Lights that banish the darkness from our caves, to illuminate our roads, the insides of our refrigerators. Big floods for the night games at Soldier’s field. Little tiny flashlight for those books we read under the covers when we’re supposed to be asleep. Light is more than watts and foot-candles. Light is metaphor. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom – Lead Thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home – Lead Thou me on! Arise, shine, for thy light has come. Light is knowledge. Light is life. Light is light.”

— Chris Stevens (played by John Corbett), “Northern Exposure” (TV Series 1990-1995)

Notes:

  • Portrait of John Corbett. Quote via Schonwieder
  • Prior “Lightly child, lightly” Posts? Connect here.
  • Post Title & Inspiration: Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.”

34 thoughts on “Lightly Child, Lightly”

  6. I loved that show, especially the John Corbett character (even if he said “Soldier’s Field” instead of “Soldier Field.” ) Light in the darkness is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. Thanks for this!

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  7. This was my most favourite show. Ever. They touched on subjects in such a unique way. And this particular scene, I had forgotten. So, thank you, David! I’ve watched it twice already!
    When I saw John Corbett’s face, I immediately thought Chris Stevens… and it was 😉

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  8. Oh, and they had the BEST soundtrack! I actually bought a CD of the music of Northern Exposure. Pretty much every genre was used in one way or another… like this beautiful piece…

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      1. Oh come on… Read any of the fantabulous poetry you constantly quote and share. Or anything else that you read that is smarter than I am… but that I am taking notes and shall eventually peruse…

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  10. I like John Corbett…Last evening, We watched “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” he was one of the main actors in that funny movie! A friend of mine who has passed was in an episode or two of “Northern Exposure”///Another friend who has passed was in an icon commercial and many other acting credits to his name.
    https://www.britannica.com/topic/Faust-literary-character I read Faust in High School, a requirement…Chaucer, Milton, John Donne, Melville etc Hemingway, Fitzgerald, …etc. As to Goethe he wasn’t the original author of Faust though he did write a play of Faust that expanded upon the original material that was written anonymously based on works from a few centuries prior. Though I assume the quoted material above was taken from Goethe play & thus written by him…

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  12. Northern Exposure… a place like home. Light – so needed, so perfect. I will be sharing with my friends who are trying to find the heart-smile only brought to us by light.

    Thank you and Happy New Year!!!

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