Night’s Desire— At the West End Gallery
We do not succeed in changing things according to our desire, but gradually our desire changes. The situation that we hoped to change because it was intolerable becomes unimportant. We have not managed to surmount the obstacle, as we were absolutely determined to do, but life has taken us round it, led us past it, and then if we turn round to gaze at the remote past, we can barely catch sight of it, so imperceptible has it become.
–-Marcel Proust, In Search of Lost Time (1913-1927)
I keep thinking about this passage from Proust, about how our desire sometimes changes because of our inability to change other things. I know that it’s true for most things.
Once we see that we have no chance at altering whatever situation we wish to change, we rationalize away our reasons for desiring that change in the first place. The process of minimizing its importance begins.
As Proust writes, life takes us around it.
But I wonder if there are things that are impervious to this? Things too big, too important to rationalize away our concerns and desires. Things that we just can’t normalize and accept.
I think I know the answer, at least for myself. You might see it differently. Human nature allows us to pick and choose our desires and passions irrespective of those of others.
I guess the best you can do is hope that others share your desires, your passions, and your concerns. In numbers, the intolerable has a chance to be remembered.
Just thinking this morning while I drink one more cup of coffee. That brings me to this Bob Dylan song, One More Cup of Coffee, from his 1976 album which is titled– you guessed it– Desire.
Redtree Times 