Sunday musings – October 11, 2020
The concept of distance has always been a mystery to me. I can, of course, use mathematical language and formulas to talk about distance. Yet, the idea that I can be in this place and then in a few hours or a few days (depending on mode of transportation)another place, has never stopped seeming magical to me.
I know that as soon as I move from Wheeling, WV to Tulsa, Oklahoma I will not be able to just pop over to visit friends in Wheeling and Pittsburgh. Yet, it seems I should be able to do so. As soon as I move I will often be tempted to ring up a Wheeling or Pittsburgh area friend and make plans to meet for dinner, a symphony performance, a hike or a visit to the Carnegie or Warhol museum.
I have lived in many places in the country and until recently I had the luxury of traveling fairly often. The magic of travel and the luxury of having the finances to budget for gas for my car or plane tickets allowed me, with a little planning, to pop over for a visit with friends in many parts of the world.
At the moment, travel via plane is not nearly as comfortable as it once was. Until covid-19 visited travel via plane had become so routine that neither passengers nor airline staff treated it as a special event. When I was a young man nearly everyone dressed to travel via plane or train and were served lovely meals. Even if the non-first class food was not necessarily gourmet quality the service staff make it seem like a treat. Now since the arrival of covid-19 and limited flights insuring that most flights are jammed packed it no longer feel particularly safe. The limited service is even more limited and does not even including beverage service.
Despite these facts, it still feels as if I am close to all those I know in London, Australia, the west coast of the United States and every other place. It feels very magical, as if I should able to follow the example of the human voice which can quickly carry one’s voice even to outer space. As old as I am I imagine the human voice running on legs at a sonic speed. In my mind’s eye I can see millions of those little legs running towards the nearest relay satellite.
I know, of course, that there is, at most, six degrees of separation from each of us on this planet – only six people separate all of us. We all live in this very tiny world and in a very real way touch each other continuously.
My intention to day is to hold on to this magic of touch which defies distance , is not intimidated by covid-19, politicians or even the rules of math.
Today I will keep close to all who tickle my heart and my mind.
Written October 11, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett, LPC, AADC
coachpickett.org
The concept of distance has always been a mystery to me. I can, of course, use mathematical language and formulas to talk about distance. Yet, the idea that I can be in this place and then in a few hours or a few days (depending on mode of transportation)another place, has never stopped seeming magical to me.
I know that as soon as I move from Wheeling, WV to Tulsa, Oklahoma I will not be able to just pop over to visit friends in Wheeling and Pittsburgh. Yet, it seems I should be able to do so. As soon as I move I will often be tempted to ring up a Wheeling or Pittsburgh area friend and make plans to meet for dinner, a symphony performance, a hike or a visit to the Carnegie or Warhol museum.
I have lived in many places in the country and until recently I had the luxury of traveling fairly often. The magic of travel and the luxury of having the finances to budget for gas for my car or plane tickets allowed me, with a little planning, to pop over for a visit with friends in many parts of the world.
At the moment, travel via plane is not nearly as comfortable as it once was. Until covid-19 visited travel via plane had become so routine that neither passengers nor airline staff treated it as a special event. When I was a young man nearly everyone dressed to travel via plane or train and were served lovely meals. Even if the non-first class food was not necessarily gourmet quality the service staff make it seem like a treat. Now since the arrival of covid-19 and limited flights insuring that most flights are jammed packed it no longer feel particularly safe. The limited service is even more limited and does not even including beverage service.
Despite these facts, it still feels as if I am close to all those I know in London, Australia, the west coast of the United States and every other place. It feels very magical, as if I should able to follow the example of the human voice which can quickly carry one’s voice even to outer space. As old as I am I imagine the human voice running on legs at a sonic speed. In my mind’s eye I can see millions of those little legs running towards the nearest relay satellite.
I know, of course, that there is, at most, six degrees of separation from each of us on this planet – only six people separate all of us. We all live in this very tiny world and in a very real way touch each other continuously.
My intention to day is to hold on to this magic of touch which defies distance , is not intimidated by covid-19, politicians or even the rules of math.
Today I will keep close to all who tickle my heart and my mind.
Written October 11, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett, LPC, AADC
coachpickett.org
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