Heroes Not Zombies

These two photos grabbed me today. I took them both in the city of Albi about three years ago ie pre-pandemic. Look at the number of plane trails criss-crossing the sky. There seems to be some kind of order to them in the first photo, then in the other one, take through a big arch at the front of the cathedral, the paths look pretty chaotic. I like them both. The both please me.
I live in South West France (further north than Albi) and the skies here were covered with these trails every single day. Now there are hardly any.
I think what makes these two photos especially appealing is that they aren’t just photos of trails on a blue sky. In each case, those trails are bordered or framed. One by tall buildings and the other by the tall arch.
We don’t like limits, do we? They feel like the impair our freedom. They feel like a constraint. They feel frustrating. But the truth is we live with limits all the time because we humans are mortal. We’re only here for a few brief years and we live within the boundaries set by our genes, by our upbringing, by the circumstances of our family and individual lives, by the laws of Nature, and by the politicians, economists policies and rules.
Limits in themselves aren’t bad things. Some of them are just the ones we have to learn. We can’t fly like Superman. We won’t live forever. Health isn’t infinite. We have talents in some areas and lack them in others. I just don’t think it is true to tell people they can be whatever they want to be. What is true, however, is that we can each be the fullest expression of our individual uniqueness. Nobody else will manage to achieve my uniqueness better than I can!
What’s the “serenity prayer” again?

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

That’s the thing, isn’t it? The trick is to become aware of reality, instead of trying to force the world to comply with our desires and imaginings, then to understand how much we can indeed change, and to have the courage to do that.
Although I feel these limits keenly, I know I have to become more flexible. I know I have to adapt. I know I’m going to have to live differently….at least for the foreseeable future, and perhaps for the rest of my life. If I spend my time and effort raging against that, what kind of life will I have? A life of raging?
So, I’m looking at these photos again today, remembering the many trips I’ve made around the world, the places I’ve visited, the people I’ve met, and I’m beginning the process of thinking how I want to live now. Today, tomorrow, in the weeks, months and years ahead.
I’m also more aware now that we live collectively. I’m more aware of our inter-connectedness, and I’m determined to contribute what I can to making our shared world a better a place.
When I think of it that way, I find the frustrations ease, and an excitement rises.
How about you? How are you coping? How are you feeling? Does it open something up for you if you consider the limits this way?