I’m doing some research on the Joseph Campbell Foundation and grants offered by the Opus Archives and Research Center.  I’m reading Cambell’s bio and notice that in 1953 he was “appointed President of the Creative Film Foundation.”  I do a google search on “Creative Film Foundation” and haven’t found it yet, but came across the American Film Foundation where I quickly see that they produced Maya Lin – A Strong Clear Vision, a film I completely stumbled upon at the library last week and which is sitting in Hayley’s livingroom waiting to be watched.  They also produced Bird by Bird with Annie, a film about the writer/teacher Anne Lamott who’s book of the same name is on my Amazon wish list.  This is part of the synopsis:

Annie likes to pass on the “secret of life” that she found written on a computer terminal bearing a picture of Koko the gorilla: “The law of the American jungle: Remain calm and share your bananas.”

I see a lot of wisdom in that and add it to a collection of inspirational/wise quotes I keep.  The next quote down happens to be from one of my favorite philosophers/writers, Alan Watts*:

From the moment of your birth, you’re in freefall.

Beyond my appreciation for the quote and it’s reminder that this craziness is what it’s all about (so I should stop freaking out when falling), this makes me smile because I had also just read in Joseph Campbell’s bio that he was “named the general editor of the series Myth and Man, which includes Alan Watt’s Myth and Ritual in Christianity.”  That reminded me about how much I’ve learned from Alan Watts and that I need to seek out more of his wisdom.  So I had a google search up for “Alan Watts” when I read that quote.  Funny!  These multiple synchronicities are like trail markers helping me find my way through new terrain.  And, I’m only receiving the benefits because I bothered to move my gaze from the ground (where I’ve been fixating out of fear of stumbling) to what lies ahead. At moments like these, the steep climb feels like a walk in the park.

*The wikipedia entry says Watts wrote about “subjects such as personal identity, the true nature of reality, higher consciousness, meaning of life, concepts and images of God and the non-material pursuit of happiness” – I guess one of the reasons I like him so much is because those are the subjects I keep coming back to as most meaningful/worthy in my life.

One that comes to mind is the story of Farmer John.  His passion is to work the earth and grow food to nourish others.  He is also passionate about creating characters and telling stories, and it has not been an easy journey for him to blend them and be successful at both.  What a great story, though, because he refused to (and the universe refused to let him) sacrifice what really mattered, and things did, gradually and with multiple setbacks, fall into place.  Holding true to that passion does not mean not compromising. What made it possible for him, beyond the commitment, was the willingness to use the challenges as opportunities to question, and learn.  We are just part of the whole so it makes sense that, in collaboration with life, our vision should accommodate and incorporate and evolve and change.

In thinking about all of this, I realized the importance of stating my own passions (another good slice of life guidance.)  So, recognizing that this will evolve, here they are:

• To tell stories, sharing what I am observing in life in an entertaining, and informative, way
• To renovate properties, giving new life to them through good design and healthy materials, and creating nurturing spaces for people, and creatures, to inhabit
• To support the many efforts to protect and nourish the creatures and life of this planet

I see my life as a hunk of rough stone and I am the sculptor, chipping away at it day, by day, working to reveal the shape within and hopefully create something beautiful to be enjoyed by myself, and others it may touch.