Living an “Enough” Life

Orchids

Orchids © 2012 Bo Mackison

To do the useful thing,
to say the courageous thing,
to contemplate the beautiful thing,
that is enough for any man’s life.
~ T.S. Eliot

Do you ever find a few words of a poem or a quotation that speaks loudly to you? When I read the above lines, I was impressed by the simplicity of the verse, by the truth of those few words, and how difficult it would be to live life by this recipe. The paradox – too simple and too difficult, so I stored the quote in my notebook and moved on.

But what is the benefit of writing down quotations that speak to you if you refuse to listen? I found the quote again yesterday when I was preparing for this post. Again, the few words and the big message fascinated me. And this time, instead of turning the page, I wrote the lines on an index card and stuck the card in my pocket. And whenever I became aware of the card, I pulled it out and re-read the words.

Although I will deny it, I am often a perfectionist. Especially when it comes to reading great words of wisdom, and then avoiding the message because  I say to myself  “too hard” and “impossible” and “I could never do that.” If I could not always do the useful thing, nor say the courageous thing, nor see the beauty in everything around me, then there was no reason to try.

After I had pulled the card out of my pocket a half-dozen times, pondering its message each time, shrugging away the message, and returning the card to my pocket, I had a new insight. Eliot did not write the word always in his words. There was no always or never, can or cannot, do or do not. I realized that there was a middle way.

What if my goal was to do one useful thing each day, say one courageous thing (even silently to myself counted) each day, and contemplated one beautiful thing each day? That would be a great beginning. And, most important, it would be something I could do, something I could commit to, and something I could easily evaluate. A brief check-in in my journal each night would take only moments, but would give me a way of tracking my commitment, my progress.

So I have added T.S. Eliot’s advice for living an “enough” life to my to-do list. I find having an easy to follow guide, and an awareness of a plan, makes it possible for me to achieve goals like this.

—————–

Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She contemplated the beautiful during the portrait session she did with these orchids, a gift she received from her daughter last Christmas.

Orchid in Profile

Orchid in Profile

Orchid in Profile © 2012 Bo Mackison

Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Do not claim them. Feel the artistry moving through and be silent. ~ Rumi

This is an indeed an excellent day to simply observe the world around me, notice the artistry in nature, and be silent. Some days it is wise to be the observer, not the speaker.

—————-

Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.

Purple Moth Orchids

Purple Orchids

Purple Moth Orchids © 2011 Bo Mackison

The orchids are in full bloom in the Bolz Conservatory at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison. I went into this tropical paradise to escape the snow and cold, and ended up with some wonderful botanical subjects and I found a peaceful setting that calmed my racing heart, and my racing around as I get ready for my (half) a cross country trip.

One of the nicest things about living in Wisconsin. No matter what direction you go to explore the United States, a destination in the 48 contiguous states is never more than a half country away. No cross country trips for me!

Tiny Orchids in Brown – Orchids at Bolz Conservatory

Tiny Orchid - Brown

Tiny Orchids in Brown © 2011 Bo Mackison

A tiny orchid, each flower is  little larger than a quarter, on exhibit at the Bolz Conservatory, a tropical paradise plopped in the middle of snowy Wisconsin’s Olbrich Botanical Gardens. While the outside gardens are deep in sleep, readying themselves for the spring show, these pampered tropical botanicals are showing off in grand style.

I DO wish I had been more mindful, and shot the ID sign next to these flowers, but I was so enthralled with the color, the composition, the basket weave background, that by the time I had a photo worth keeping, remembering to document the species was the last thing on my mind.

Orchid Show

Orchid Show

Orchid Show © 2008 Bo Mackison

“The leaves were blackish green and the flower itself was glossy yellow, the yellow of a newly waxed taxi, and it was spattered with hundreds and hundreds of burgundy markings. Staring at the pattern … was dizzying. Staring at it for a long time was hypnotizing.” ~ Susan Orlean’s The Orchid Thief

Bolz Tropical Conservatory
Olbrich Gardens
Madison, WI