My good friend Al Nyiri came down from Vermont for a visit this weekend. Our friendship goes way back to the early 70s to when we worked at Photomat Labs together. Over the years we’ve kept in touch and shared many adventures. He’s a good photographer, which makes him a keen observer and chronicler of life. It’s always refreshing and informing to talk with him, to continue our decade spanning conversation. We have been Narcissus and Goldmund to each other, trading roles as the years go by. Al has left now, gone back to his life in Vermont and in the wake of his departure I find myself pondering these questions: What is a worthy journey? To cross an ocean? Or to sail the whole world about? To completely loose oneself and find oneself in the process? To explore new lands and waters, holding nothing back, all the while remaining true to oneself? To leave the world of man and sojourn as much as possible deep into the world of nature. To learn the lessons and share the knowledge? Or is it sufficient for one to live simply and strive be as good a person as is possible, accepting gratefully, whatever each day brings?
How does one decide? What does it mean to succeed at this? How would success be measured? How will it feel? Where will I end up? My life going forward will be the answers to all these questions…
