Friday, February 15, 2008

Belum...

Belum... not quite yet.

Pron (bay-loom)

Leonardo da Vinci, upon his death, regretted leaving so much work unfinished (?!!) and I often wonder what the world would be like if he had been given more time... and if we could bring him back and put him in our world today, teach him what we have learned (a great deal of which originated in his mind) and then see what he can make of it to progress us even further, as I am absolutely sure he could.

And I think about what I have done, and left undone.

Have I finished my pilots license?
Have I finished that painting of the polar bears?
Have I finished either of the novels I've written?
Have I perfected my tango?
Read all the books I want to read?
Seen the places my heart yearns and aches to know?
Told all of my family and friends just one more time how deeply I love them?
Done my best...
Given what I could...
Loved as much as my big heart is capable of...
Been patient as often as I could...
Listened as often as I ought...
Gone as far in every direction that I can possibly go?

Belum.

They say mediocrity is best... no extremes one way or the other. I'm not going for extreme, and I don't know how much time I have left (doesn't that make it priceless?), but my list is ever growing in many ways, and will never end.

I'll never really complete everything - and in the end, my magnum opus; my great work of a lifetime, will be what I did accomplish.
I just want to make sure that I didn't leave anyone or anything behind, unnecessarily.

A fellow student asked me recently where I find the time to do everything I do, and I answered, I do bits at a time, here and there, not all at once, and that way I can do more.

Another friend warned me about becoming a jack (jill) of all trades, but master of none.
That will not happen... if I do not give up on learning as much as I can about each thing, or working on each passion without end, even in moderation. It just takes a little longer.


What do I want to be when I grow up?

A Renaissance woman. A person that Leonardo da Vinci would be inclined to enjoy spending time with, then or now.

Are you as far as you want to be? Are you complete?

I'd be willing to bet...

Belum.

14 comments:

Pearl said...

A Jill of all trades is a noble calling in a world of specialists, so long as you are on the trail of bliss.

molly said...

Hell no! But you're well on your way I'd say! Glad to see you back in circulation....

The Passionate Palate said...

I love this post for so many reasons dear Scarlett. I am like you and have so many ambitions and hope to accomplish lots. Sometimes I think it is too much as I never feel "accomplished." I like to think of myself as constantly inspired. (It can drive my husband crazy.) I love, love Leonardo and loved your thoughts on him. But what is belum? Did I miss something? I even looked it up in the dictionary!

Sorry I've been away lately - I've been doing lots, as usual. ;-)

Anonymous said...

I'm with pearl on this one, dear Scarlett: being a Jill of all trades is NOTHING to be ashamed of. In my short years I've picked up at least a taste of a whole lot of things, and while I cannot lay claim to being a master of anything (except being Me, of course!) I think that my life has been enriched by having dabbled in so many different things.

Pawlie Kokonuts said...

Not complete. Always becoming. Never finished (Latin = perfect). Becoming. Coming into being. Being reinvented. (Just got outed from a job, so this stuff is all high on my list.) Reinventing.

Kay Cooke said...

Nice to have you back blogging again after a bit of a break. Some lovely gems and words of wisdom. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

When my mother passed away in 1995 she left antiques and money to my siblings. She left me her most important things...half written stories, half stiched needlepoint, half sewn quilts. She knew I'd finish these things creating a visable link between her generation and ours. I will do the same with my kids.

The (Mis)Adventures of a Single City Chick said...

Definitely a very thought-provoking post, Scarlett! I've also dabbled in many different things, as my curiosity and interests are quite diverse. I don't think there's anything wrong there. As with our interests, our specialities have different levels of accomplishments, depending on which mean more to us, so I just look at it as been well versed in the world. I know just enough to be dangerous. ;-)

Christina

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Pearl,

Yes! To all the Jills in the world! Hoorah!


Molly,

I'm glad to be back! Missed everyone so much.


Jeni,

You are an inspiration too, lady. Quite a wonderful inspiration.
No apologies for absence, just rejoin and rejoice!


Irrelephant,

I agree... diversity enriches, doesn't it? Yes, yes it does.


PK,

Nice to see you!
Gracias Senior, I love that you defined it so well.


Kay!

Nice to see you too!
I'm very glad to be back, and that you enjoyed these words. I always enjoy yours too.


Wow Kat!

What a great gift of legacy; bridging the generation and space with a touch. It's almost like holding her hands, I bet.
That's incredible. Thank you for sharing it.


Christina,

I love that! Just enough to be dangerous... and fun!
Be mischievous... it feels good.
And, what an experience your life will have been.


Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Unknown said...

I always wanted to be a Renaissance woman when I grew up too.

Unknown said...

Wonderful post, you gorgeous woman!
I love the idea of Scarlett the Renaissance Woman, I think that's exactly what you are - bold and brave and bright and beautiful - you live your life fully and in the moment - exactly as life should be lived. Bravo!

rel said...

Scarlette,
I echo Vanilla's comment!
And I'll take a hint from Kat and finish up some of my dad's writings. I'll write him a letter to see if he approves. If I don't get a written reply, I'll take it as an affirmative.
Scarlett the renaisssance woman....cripes you get more enticing with every post! ;)
rel

S. Kearney said...

Yes, you are very much like me, it seems. I want to put my feet in all the ponds and chase all the ducks! And why not? If time allows, I just say go for it! :-)

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Sarala,

I think you are already a Renaissance woman... here's to the lot of us!


Vanilla,

You have undone me... I am going to write that out and put it on my front door so that everyone knows.
Thank you so much! That's probably the best compliment I ever got!
Aside from being told that I am the second smartest person in the world... ;o)


Rel,

I absolutely think you should finish his work. It will bring it all full circle; and that is exactly what life is about... circles.
Continuing without beginning and without end. Always.
Amen.


Seamus,

Hello! I am IN for duck chasing and pond splashing! YAY!
I am the president of the Bubble Bandit Brigade after all... at least the Denver Chapter anyway... hee hee...
I too, believe that we are similar in many ways, much to my delight; you are quite an inspiration Seamus.


Scarlett & Viaggiatore