Tuesday, June 30, 2009


Lions and Supermodels

Like the bright golden ring on a carousel, fame is a most attractive thing to a lot of people; they stretch out their arms, grasping for it if ever it comes round their way. They never seem to consider that this elusive goal, once attained, can never be returned. For myself, immense fame has always seemed like a nightmare of sickening proportions; the worst sort of situation in which to be stuck. I feel this way for many reasons, the chief of which is that fame would snatch away one of the more delightful activities I know of: the observation of other humans. For when you are the one constantly being watched, it is impossible to indulge in the study of others.

While sitting with a mug of tea at a sidewalk cafe, peering over a magazine in a crowded airport lounge, or from behind dark glasses on a north-bound train, I am often happily fascinated just considering the people around me. There are few more interesting ways to past the time than contemplating the behaviour of one’s fellow humans when they are unaware they are being watched. I imagine them standing in their closets deciding on the clothes they are wearing, I mark the books they are reading, I study the way they interact with one another. It is so entertaining to conjure up their fictional backstories in my head, often populating entire Agatha Christie novels with the unsuspecting souls around me.

Sometimes, after an afternoon of this sort of observation, I begin to think that being human in this day and age just seems like so much work, especially when compared with those creatures residing in the animal kingdom. Let’s face it, forget the latest cellphone or laptop, disregard the hairstyle or the shoes - whether fat or thin, short or tall, no one is ever going to be as impressive as a Lion no matter what one does. A Polar Bear will always trump a supermodel for sheer beauty and magnificence. Animals just are. They have no need of embroidered clothing or bejeweled stilettos, they require no make-up, wish for no ornament - they could care less about twittering, and no amount of air-brushing or photoshop could ever improve on the purity of their splendid, individual beauty.
Perhaps animals are on earth for more that the whims of man.
Perhaps they have much to teach us.

I must go now and attempt to pretty myself for the day.
Edward, of course, woke up pretty.


"
But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will teach you: or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."
Job 12: 7-10

30 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post! I am trying to find my 'style'...I don't want to be so ordinary but I'm not going to obsess! lol Love YOUR style...you are so original!

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  2. Completely agree about the ghastliness of "fame." Why do people want it? (Only think of very sad and pathetic Michael Jackson.)

    I never understand why more people aren't people watching. How fascinating it is!

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  3. Oh! How true, just like the 'lillies of the field' the glory is in just what they are.

    I love people watching too.

    Fame brings it's own torment as we can see all around us.

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  4. people watching......
    is there anything better ?

    xx

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  5. I love your thoughts...fame would take away that people watching aspect...never thought of that. Of course. Never really thought of fame, either.

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  6. I'm a people watcher!...my favorite pastime whereever I go:)

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  7. I agree - people watching is an endlessly fascinating pastime. Every person has their own unique story but unfortunately we only get to hear a few!

    Leigh

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  8. Lovely post, much enjoy the writings... I must admit, I am a people watcher.
    L

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  9. so true, so true - you participate in my favorite pass time also - observation - :)))))))))

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  10. What a great post..I love people watching too..maybe thats why everyones so hung up on how they look?...we are all people watching each other!!...loved that bible quote too....

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  11. What a lovely post about the nature of man and beast! I also find great comfort in the wisdom in the book of Job! The animal teach us so much about God and just learning to rest in His care. (Yes, and I enjoyed the comment about Edward who wakes up pretty. Wish I just had to shake my ears every morning!)

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  12. Very nice blog. Love reading it! Have a nice day.

    Cheers!
    http://real-time-stock-streamers.blogspot.com

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  13. I do like the simple honesty of animals. I feel comfortable when surrounded by my hounds and even other people's hounds when we meet up and there's 30-40 rescue greyhounds all on the beach playing together. It's lovely to watch.

    30-40 humans together relaxing doesn't have the same feel at all.

    Naar I couldn't handle fame either.

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  14. I constantly tease my husband because he doesn't "see." May be a Y chromosome thing. I think that in the observation of people around us, we see ourselves better. I still think Edward should write a blog or a book. So much to learn, to see, to know about this shaman who allows you in his life!

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  15. I was just thinking it as I read your piece Pamela - and then you said it all "Edward woke up pretty!"

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  16. I love to watch people. I'm always amazed, when I'm in a large crowd, at all the new faces that have been in this world for years, but have never been seen by me.

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  17. Totally with you with the people-watching - there's nothing more fascinating. And, yes, Edward is indeed beautiful.

    Lovely post.

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  18. I'm fascinated with people. Some of us are so high maintenance, too. :P

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  19. "Edward woke up pretty" - beautifully put, and I'm sure he did. Merry and Tiger Tim instinctively stike elegant cat poses, and Tippy (yellow lab)looks at us with those beautiful eloquent eyes, which absolutely speak.

    And as to fame, as Emily Dickinson wrote, "How dreary to be Somebody, How public, like a frog..."

    Once again you have chosen a beautiful piece of art. Your blog always leads me to artists I want to know more about.

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  20. So well said! It does take a lot of energy to live this life. As we get older, maybe we have the chance to reflect and choose who to be more than we did when we were younger. Funny, I had no idea it was going to be like this when I was 20.

    Edward is SO pretty.

    I love your new header.

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  21. I adore it when people perceive and then convey this - beautifully.

    You did that. I agree, fame is something we see everyday, touch it even but... it is not something one needs to aspire to.

    By the way if you adore Scotland, watch, "I know where I'm Going".

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  22. I love to study humans as well...so much fun isn't it?

    Love this post and your writing...just lovely.

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  23. Hello P&E,

    Fame and power are rather like drugs. Once achieved it can be hard to give them up. They feed a need or an ego. But the beast can eventually devour the holder!

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  24. lovely post...ofcourse...it couldn't be anything else than lovely and marvelous..written by your hand...and the beautiful painting...its from...?

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  25. I love going on long journeys and watching people at stations rushing for trains and wondering where they are going and why:)

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  26. studying others is a fascinating pastime, so varied are we, i often find myself creating stories in my head of the lives of the folks i see. yet it is with simple joy that i watch our wee dog coco, the birds in the garden, or the belties near the burn

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  27. Me too! I'm a people watcher and love it particularly in another country.

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  28. The thing about animals is that they are always dressed right, no matter the weather. How is it that they don't need shoes? Boots? Jackets? It is amazing.
    I like to people-watch too, and it's probably a good thing they aren't often watching back, because I'm kind of a mess.

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  29. Such truth...

    Thank you...

    'Aunt Amelia'

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!