I'm so busy being me that I don't know if I've got time to be in someone else's head. But if I could see the world from another perspective other than my own, where would I go and what could I learn? Something to ponder in this post...
The Insecure Writer's Support Group
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog.
The co-hosts for the March 5 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse Van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Liza @ Middle Passages.
March 5 question - If for one day you could be anyone or *thing* in the world, what would it be? Describe, tell why, and any themes, goals, or values they/it inspire in you.
Back when I was in high school after my family had moved to Maryville Tennessee, we bought a house in a tract that was almost rural looking in a way and yet still close to city things. This was the first time I encountered dogs running stray and they were in small packs. They were fearful of humans so it took me a while to gain their trust and that was never complete. They'd take food I offered, but they didn't trust much other contact.
I began to notice that there was a "trail" through our lawn as well as adjoining neighbors' lawns where the dogs would follow on a daily routine. At times I would watch the small pack loping along their trail and going to wherever their daily schedule took them. And I definitely discerned a specific time schedule they would follow. I often wondered, "Where do the dogs go?"
That could be one answer to the theme of this post. And so could lives of other animals--migrating birds, mountain lions, or the world from the perspective of an ant. So many choices! The viewpoint from the eyes and mind of an animal might be interesting for an hour or two, but I think I need more of a human mind to reside in for a day. Someone whose life and habits might help me improve my own.
Put me in the head of someone who gets things done and done well and efficiently and maybe I could learn something. But in the final analysis I just want to be me. I don't need to be anyone or anything else. I've got my hands full just as I am.
Who or what would you want to be for a day?
That was my answer! I just want to be me.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting about the dogs keeping to a schedule. They do lead simpler lives, but yeah, I'd still want to be human.
ReplyDeleteI like being me...but 24 hours to be something different...LOVE the possibilities...as long as I'd come back to being me.
ReplyDeleteAnonymously Esther O'Neill, East of the Sun, no gmail address, no signal, at 0 G. Living in free range sheep and cattle country, it's fascinating to observe their social life, hardly ever going astray - comforting each other when their near adult sized lambs are taken, or, rarely, a calf has died. , Not many songbirds here, but corvids don't seem to like low flying military jets in their sky. Rescued battery hens all found their special places to lay, and kept to that.
ReplyDeleteBeing an animal would certainly give you a different world view. https://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/p/short-story-wednesday-5b4
ReplyDeleteI don't want to give up my brain either . . . thank you for writing so beautifully about those packs of dogs from long ago.
ReplyDeleteI'd want to fly although mountain lion sounds cool, too.
ReplyDeleteHaha! "I've got my hands full just as I am." So do I, which is why your last line cracked me up. I swear dogs and cats can tell time. They always know when it's time for a regular treat or walk. All the best to you!
ReplyDeleteIt would be fun to experience life as a wild horse, as long as I weren't in danger from the constant Bureau of Land Management roundups capturing these beautiful free animals. The horse is our second-oldest animal friend, and we owe so much to their species for everything they've done for us throughout history.
ReplyDelete