We were at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum the other day… Fascinating that you can build an entire museum on stamps (and postal service). What’s in here? I thought to myself. Well, everything and anything that relates to letters… To this unquenchable desire in human beings to communicate and fill gaps and reach out…
In one area, there was a table with thousands of stamps (yes, about anything and everything.) You can pick and choose what you want and take them home. A lady sat there for hours, calling out, “Owls. Please, owls. I’m looking for owls. I want owls.” I sat next to her for a few minutes, amused by her persistence and impressed by her dedication. Unlike her, I didn’t know what to look for. I stared at these colorful little pieces of paper, picked one and then put them back, and then I pick another one and then put them back again…
The other day, I sat home and looked at what Nick and I chose. I tried to arrange them in a “logical” manner. I stared at it for a long time and then I realized, maybe there is not always logic to our interests. Maybe we choose things because they spark something in us, or maybe, it’s all random. Maybe it means something, maybe it doesn’t. (I ended up arranging them in whatever way looked most presentable to me at the moment.) So if that’s the case, what is the moral of this story? Ha, maybe there isn’t one. Or maybe it’s this: having the ability to pursue or not pursue your interests, whatever the heck it is; to go or not go for what makes you happy is the most precious commodity in the world. And the most expensive. Not everybody has the freedom of choice. Not everyone can afford to pursue (or not pursue) what makes their heart sing. So if and when we have it, let’s make it count. Or not. ?
