Rooftop sculpture, The Old Bank Hotel, Oxford, England.
"Manuel works for 30 years without stopping. He brings up his children, sets a good example and devotes all his time to work, never asking: 'Does what I'm doing have any meaning?' His one thought is that the busier he is, the more important he will be in the eyes of the world.
"His children grow up and leave home. He gets a promotion at work. One day, he receives a watch or a pen, as a reward for all those years of devotion. His friends shed a few tears and the longed-for moment arrives: he's retired, free to do whatever he wants!
"...Manuel is a free man, reasonably well off, well informed, with an impeccable past. But what now? What should he do with this hard-won freedom? Everyone greets him and praises him, but no one has time for him. Gradually, Manuel begins to feel sad and useless, despite all those many years spent serving the world and his family.
"One night an angel appears to him while he sleeps: 'What have you done with your life? Did you try to live your life according to your dreams?'
"Another long day begins. The newspapers. The TV news. The garden. Lunch. A short nap. He can do whatever he wants to do, except that right now, he discovers he doesn't want to do anything. Manuel is a sad, free man, just one step away from depression, because he was always too busy to think about the meaning of his life and simply let the years flow under the bridge. He remembers the words of the poet: 'He passed through life; he did not live it.'
"However, since it is too late to accept all this, it's best just to change the subject. His hard-won freedom is merely exile-in-disguise."
- Excerpt from "Manuel is a Free Man" from the book Like the Flowing River by Paulo Coehlo.
I felt like this may be what Dave has been feeling. Thank you for the prompt for a conversation. He was lost while I was away but after playing nursemaid he will be back at a new job. This still is a good conversation for now.
Big Hug
Posted by: Tammy | 18 October 2007 at 19:14
"However, since it is too late to accept all this, it's best just to change the subject"
Therein lies his problem. It's never too late.
Posted by: Colette | 18 October 2007 at 18:31
Poor Manuel!
I "gave up" a career I loved dearly,
when my first child was born.
It was a very hard thing to do,
but I do not regret it one bit.
I found many other opportunities
to indulge my talents in,
but most of all I had this amazing
gift of our four children,
and being able to be there for them,
trying to support my husband
in ways that he could spend
as much time as possible with them,
even though he was the one who
had to leave them for work every day
and travel long weeks at times.
Thanks to both our sacrifices,
we could make the most of our time
when they were little.
We still try, now that they are
growing and growing and growing.
And we grow with them.
It's a joy.
Posted by: M erisi's Vienna | 18 October 2007 at 12:47
Painfull to read but so true for many...they define themselves
by the career in which they spend most of their years..then what..is that all there is...some find it difficult to re-define themselves after retiring.
I have not been by lately as I am healing..miss coming by..
hugs NG
Posted by: naturegirl | 18 October 2007 at 08:05
'He passed through life; he did not live it.'
I read this book sometime back, and felt compelled to rethink whether I am just 'passing through' or 'living' life.
Thank you so much for sharing this again...
Posted by: Bhavna | 18 October 2007 at 07:53
Tara,
Makes me think, I should pay more attention to what happens in my life! Conscious living, there is something to be said for it.
As usual, another poignant post from you.
xo
Gillian
Posted by: Gillian | 18 October 2007 at 02:55
Once again my friend I am enthralled absolutely incredible words that extend the reminder to live live live I must get this book. You always inspire me Tara to dig a bit deeper into my heart and search my soul. What a gift you are my friend.
XOX
Kristen
Posted by: Kristen R | 18 October 2007 at 01:31
Manual(Manuel) Labor.. Whoa..Hey..that's how my mind works ...It is the very first thing that came in to my head ! See how your posts make my neurons transmit! ha! This was very thought provoking. you always do this to me! ..Thanks!
Posted by: p | 18 October 2007 at 01:27
so touching...i am not just passing thru...i am fully engulfed in my life...blessings, rebecca
Posted by: Cre8Tiva | 18 October 2007 at 01:24
Beautiful, Tara.... Your site is my favorite..
love-Melanie-bd
Posted by: Melanie-bd | 17 October 2007 at 23:14
How sad about Manuel!! It seems important to cultivate friendships and another passions along the way of our lives, so we will be ready and not devastated and when protected during major changes in our life. Thank you for the reminder!!
Happy day to you! I wonder if you will meet Little Tara today??
Posted by: rochambeau | 17 October 2007 at 16:15
This is definitely a book to add to my list. It describes so perfectly how I view life..what we have to do...live a life of purpose and meaning...what do we say to ourselves at the end of the road...yes, I lived this good life.
Posted by: cherie | 17 October 2007 at 15:50
I haven't seen this book yet - thank you for sharing an excerpt. I recently read his 'Witch of Portabello,' which I enjoyed. I keep meaning to find 'The Alchemist,' but haven't yet. Now, here's another to add to my book list!
Posted by: tinker | 17 October 2007 at 13:09