Big Wheels Keep on Turning
Posted on 29. Sep, 2009 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in Inspirations, Life Dream, Personal
Can I tell you a secret?
Time moves really fast.
I’m not kidding. One minute you’re nineteen, and the next minute you’re twenty-seven.
One minute you’re on the cusp of a big adventure, and the next minute you’ve achieved your dream and you’ve been living your dream for almost two years.
This was supposed to be a “one-year experiment.” Let me tell you, one year is nothing. One year goes by like that.
This is me yelling from the top of a giant bale of hay that the next year is coming. That you’re in the moment now, but that in a blink of an eye you won’t even remember what you did this month let alone today.
Time just flies.
Well, you knew that already, right? “So what,” right?
My point is to stop waiting.
Stop waiting to do whatever it is that you want to do. Stop waiting to tell her you love her or to write that book or join that club or lose those ten pounds. Just do it.
I’ve been going through a “what should I do with my life” moment, hence, I’m reading a book by the same name.
Author Po Bronson’s contention in terms of what we should do with our lives:
“Most of us don’t get epiphanies. We only get a whisper–a faint urge. That’s it. That’s the call. It’s up to you to do the work of discovery, to connect it to an answer.”
That totally scares me. I’d been under the impression that some people just really know what it is that they want. But what if it turns out that Po Bronson is right? That nobody knows for sure. That all we get is a faint whiff of what we really want? Is that all there is?
If so, then we’d better listen. And act now.
Because time flies, and the big wheel keeps on turning.
Freda
Sep 29th, 2009
Beautiful!!!!! on everything.
Laura Jane, you are a fantastic photographer!!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Sep 29th, 2009
Thanks Freda…
That first photo is the field RIGHT NEXT to our house. The bales of hay are gone now. They were baled up and taken away a couple of days later. Gorgeous, though, isn’t it?
The last photo was taken in August by Cameron’s sister, Brenna, who came to visit. The location was up northeast PEI, near Nufrauge.
melanie
Sep 29th, 2009
It is nice to hear that most people don’t get those epiphanies. I’m 33 (soon to be 34) and am still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I will always remember my Dad saying, “Casey, (my Mum) what am I going to do with my life?” and my Mum always replying “You’re doing it.” Which sums it up pretty well don’t you think?
Take the whole ‘having children’ thing. I think it was more a sense of knowning that I didn’t want to Not have children. Does that make sense? Somedays I wanted to have children and somedays I didn’t. And now I have one and somedays I still don’t want to have children (ha ha! those days usually follow on the heels of a particularly sleep-deprived night) and somedays I know I want more than one (but no more than two – okay, probably no more than two). And really that sums up my whole life – figuring out what you don’t want so you can eventually get to what you do want. Maybe.
Gary Gray
Sep 30th, 2009
Hi L-J
Are you really old enough to know “Big Wheel Keeps On Turning” or better known by the name “Proud Mary” by the CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Proud Mary†is a song written by American singer and guitarist John Fogerty. It was first recorded by rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival (in which Fogerty played lead guitar and sang lead vocals) on the 1969 album Bayou Country. Released as a single in January 1969, it became the band’s first top-ten hit on the U.S. Pop chart, peaking at number two,[1] or number one according to some charts.
Here is the link to the You Tube Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ROalKnVZfU
And this link is to CCR radio. (if it works)
http://www.last.fm/listen/artist/Creedence%2BClearwater%2BRevival/similarartists
I can’t believe that it’s been forty years. Young (20) with a job, car, a motor bike and a girl. I gave them all up for a life in the armed services. (silly boy)
Funny thing is that girl is one of my Facebook Friends. Funny how that river winds it way through the years.
Years later looking back on a happy life. have two wonderful daughters and a grandson. Expecting a second grandchild in December.
Things and accomplishments are nice but family, well that’s special.
Smiles :o)
Gary
P.S. sorry I missed your email and previous post but you gave a great update anyway. I have been talking to Jack MacLeod about learning more about growing the pumpkins. So as the sports people say “There is always next season” lol Now to go practice my one armed golf swing.
Vicki
Sep 30th, 2009
Great to see you are active here again! Can I drop by for a visit? ha ha! Just made some cabbage salad!! Miss you guys already!!
Mike
Sep 30th, 2009
Gosh,
Allow me a moment’s digression but that picture of the haystacks at top is sublime. Worthy of hanging on my office wall in fact in a frame. You’re positioning for sense of picture depth was bang on and it does bring back very fond memories of time spent in P.E.I. years back. Thank you so much for all the pictures you share.
Pondering your words on time and dreams I hope you will realize as I have that dreams are mere portals to other dreams once reality is allowed to intercede. Time is merely a facilitator to that end.
Sweet dreams,
Mike – Ottawa
Gary Gray
Sep 30th, 2009
Hi L-J
Sounds like you are in some interesting company in reading your book “What Should I Do With My Life?” by Po Bronson.
Po says…
“Who’s Reading This Book
What Should I Do With My Life? is used by far more than professionals at a mid-career reckoning point. It’s widely read by those facing college graduation, and it’s been assigned to incoming freshman at some big universities like UMKC, Rutgers, Tenn State, and West Texas A&M. One New York State Supreme Court Justice used it to counsel his son upon graduation. But it’s also picked up by those recently diagnosed with cancer who have been given a short time to live. Many National Guardsmen have read the book after they return from their year tour, and one doctor contacted me from an Air Force base in Germany – he was giving the book to soldiers who had lost a limb (to help them accept the inevitable changes in their life). Two famous actresses have read the book to help them understand the lives of regular people (Hah!!!), and one 17-year-old homeless youth in Denver was inspired by the book during the time he was getting off the streets. Housewives read it as they contemplated reentering the workforce after years caring for their children at home. A surprising number of retirees pass the book around, as a call to find a meaningful purpose in their retirement years. Many churches assigned it for Sunday school bible study. These are all audiences I never imagined in my wildest dreams would be reading my words.”
Really interesting…
Smiles :o)
Gary
P.S. My book is in at the library and awaiting pickup.
http://24.224.240.205/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=1I54316U103K0.591448&profile=pac&uri=full=1100001~!286635~!0&ri=&menu=search&source=~!abbycat–1&ipp=20&spp=20
GG
Gary Gray
Sep 30th, 2009
Oops….
That link didn’t work!…try this one for the book.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leader-You-Friends-Influence-Changing/dp/0671519980
Smiles :o)
Gary
John Dale
Sep 30th, 2009
John Lennon says life’s what happens while you’re making other plans.
John,
Morell, PE
N&M
Sep 30th, 2009
I absolutely love your writing, Laura-Jane! It’s so engaging and enlightening! Big kisses and hugs…
John Quimby
Sep 30th, 2009
From PEI,
I came to in Southern California.
I came from the end of summer the clarity of autumn the finality of frost
to the endless summer.
I came from the tucking in of rows and fields that are now in a dream of what
they will be next spring
to “What should I do with my life?”
I think I should live in it.
eleanor
Oct 3rd, 2009
cameron &laura-jane i have just read your adventerious story about moving to southeastern pei, in todays guardian,wonderful!!what a wonderful journey for a young couple!!i really was cold when i read about your first winter though,but your house looks like you are in good shape for another pei winter(as they can be brutal) if you don’t have good heat,but i can tell by your woodpile “you’ve made it as islanders”as we islanders sometimes judge people by how big their woodpile is !!!! imagine ,it really shows how ready for winter you are!!
keep up your good work,love one another forever,& may the sun always shine in your windows & on your woodpile,( i was raised on a mixed farm in eastern pei) so i know how important that is .
cherrio eleanor
Myrna
Oct 3rd, 2009
Good Morning;
While reading the Guardian this morning the first page took my eye I recognized the blue house on Whimroad,I often visited with friends of mine who lived there.( In my early teens).It warms my heart to see how courages you younger people are to come here in winter and to start a new life on P.E.I. My husband & I are now living about 3 miles from you on the commerical highway civic # 6145 you would be we welcome to drop in for a cup of tea and a visit. Welcome to our wonderful Island.
warren
Oct 5th, 2009
Well said…we are having that revelation as we watch our kids grow before our eyes…
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Oct 15th, 2009
Myrna, thank you so much for saying hello! I now can’t resist thinking of you every time I drive past your place! I am a bit of a shy type and still can’t get used to dropping in on people unannounced. But I am trying to push myself to do so!!!!!
Bob Tompson
Jan 19th, 2010
L-J&C,
Stumbled on your page as I was googling “Driving across Canada”. I could not stop reading your journals. I find it quite fascinating. I am 58 and can picture you as being one of Canada’s rural writers of note. Stuart McLean is my favorite Canadian author and you tell stories that would make him smile I am sure.
I have for years mentioned to my wife that I want to SEE Canada.Your thoughts from “Big Wheels… coincide with ours and our desire to see this wonderful country we call home. This year my son ( in Victoria) says its time to act on our thoughts.We’ll see. Great site L-J. Hi to C. Bob T.