Thought

Thatched Cottages at Cordeville
-Vincent Van Gogh

"Thought-to call it by a prouder name than it deserved-had let its line down into the stream. It swayed, minute after minute, hither and thither among the reflections and the weeds, letting the water lift it and sink it until-you know the little tug-the sudden conglomeration of an idea at the end of one's line: and then the cautious hauling of it in, and the careful laying of it out? Alas, laid on the grass how small, how insignificant this thought of mine looked; the sort of fish that a good fisherman puts back into the water so that it may grow fatter and be one day worth cooking and eating.....But however small it was, it had, nevertheless, the mysterious property of its kind-put back into the mind, it became at once very exciting, and important; and as it darted and sank, and flashed hither and thither, set up such a wash and tumult of ideas that it was impossible to sit still."

-Virginia Woolf
A Room of One's Own

I am not naturally a deep or intellectual thinker. Even when I apply myself, this is a difficult pursuit for me because it takes time and diligence. Free time is not in abundance at this point in my life and diligence is a trait I must constantly fight for.

But my desire to think deeply, form opinions and express ideas, keeps me going forward in this sometimes frustrating endeavor. My knowledge of history, philosophy and science only extends a little farther than what I have taught my children. Their teacher is learning too.

If each day, I learn something new, think a fresh thought and express an original idea, I am growing. The growth rate is just a little slower than I expected.