Last night we had a family “sharing” night, of sorts. My eleven year old son presented a speech on Napoleon, my twelve year old read us his essay on the second siege of Vienna and I read “If”. Everyone agreed we need to do it again. There was something so pleasurable about sitting together, with the warmth of the fire and hearing about each other’s passions in a more-formal-than-the-dinner-table but still rather relaxed manner. As you were talking about human connection and the depth of relationships, and engagement through the arts, I couldn’t help but savor the beauty of that memory and want to shout “yes! Exactly!”.
I do believe that human connection and thematic depth has been compromised, but I’m also so excited to see attention drawn to the richness that is within our grasp if we just pivot a little bit. Sometimes one needs some fluff and nonsense to get lost in, but as a side dish, not a main course.
Thank you so much for this well thought out post! I’m very excited for your series on the opera coming up.
I can imagine the cozy yet passionate atmosphere as everyone says their piece (or impatiently waits for their turn!)... I hope you're able to do it again.
And you're absolutely right--what a great exercise in not just sharing but also in listening to those around us. Thank you for that reminder!
Last night we had a family “sharing” night, of sorts. My eleven year old son presented a speech on Napoleon, my twelve year old read us his essay on the second siege of Vienna and I read “If”. Everyone agreed we need to do it again. There was something so pleasurable about sitting together, with the warmth of the fire and hearing about each other’s passions in a more-formal-than-the-dinner-table but still rather relaxed manner. As you were talking about human connection and the depth of relationships, and engagement through the arts, I couldn’t help but savor the beauty of that memory and want to shout “yes! Exactly!”.
I do believe that human connection and thematic depth has been compromised, but I’m also so excited to see attention drawn to the richness that is within our grasp if we just pivot a little bit. Sometimes one needs some fluff and nonsense to get lost in, but as a side dish, not a main course.
Thank you so much for this well thought out post! I’m very excited for your series on the opera coming up.
I can imagine the cozy yet passionate atmosphere as everyone says their piece (or impatiently waits for their turn!)... I hope you're able to do it again.
And you're absolutely right--what a great exercise in not just sharing but also in listening to those around us. Thank you for that reminder!