I absolutely love this essay Priya. So many commonalities in my own journey with writing. I love that line: the key is to take up the invitation. Yes 💯
I’m so glad to have found your writing and to be able to witness your growth ☺️
An intriguing question, Priya. And no doubt at some time in our life, we ask ourself. But in thinking it over, do we ever really 'arrive' or are we always on the cusp? Maybe each new shore simply brings on the beginning of that next journey. I love that the word arrive points to 'reaching shore after a voyage.' Food for thought! For tomorrow's walk.
I agree, Jeanine. Each arrival is probably the beginning of another journey. It’s one of those both/and cases where it’s good to think about what arrival looks like for you while keeping in mind that it’s probably to look nothing like you expected. Thank you, always great to have a conversation with you!
Beautifully put, Priya. It’s so important to realise that despite the common trope on appreciating the journey, we each have our own instinctive craving for arriving somewhere. Perhaps it is because we are all aspiring to getting one inch closer to some “better” version of ourselves.
Sassygal, thank you! I think we want to know that there is a point where the striving stops and we bring ourselves to bloom or some further fruition. There is a Kurt Vonnegut quote that I think talks of this:
“I felt after I finished Slaughterhouse-Five that I didn’t have to write at all anymore if I didn’t want to. It was the end of some sort of career. I don’t know why, exactly. I suppose that flowers, when they’re through blooming, have some sort of awareness of some purpose having been served. Flowers didn’t ask to be flowers and I didn’t ask to be me. At the end of Slaughterhouse-Five…I had a shutting-off feeling…that I had done what I was supposed to do and everything was OK .” -Kurt Vonnegut
Priya -I so enjoy your writing! Your style is engaging. I believe you will enjoy much success with your craft.
There is a way of progressing in life that I have affection for. I don't recall the author, but the essence is that when we succeed in some endeavor, we feel as though we're on a hilltop. From this vista we can see another peak we want to be on. But no one can step peak to peak... it is necessary to travel through the valley. Often the valley is forested and there's no way to be certain we're heading toward that distant peak we admired. Sometimes we climb what is a different peak than intended and celebrate a whole new view of our travels through this dimension.
This brings meaning for me to the reality that we must love every place we have been--physically, psychologically, emotionally--because all were necessary to be here, now.
Thank you for writing this, Priya! The question magically spoke to where my mind’s been lately. I feel like it’s comforting to think of arriving as taking action, like arriving at a new understanding. But personally I feel like arrivals are humans’ attempt to discretize the continuity of growth, transformation, and being buoyed along by the currents of time and one’s natural evolution. Kind of like we’re always arriving—or there is no arrival, really. Because of this I wonder if there will ever be a lasting feeling of a satisfying arrival; maybe not, and maybe the sustained dissatisfaction is what keeps us going.
Hi Andie, I agree, we are continually arriving and departing. Thinking of a more secure arrival point may also help manage the anxiety around the risk of leaving the familiar.
That said, there are some inflection points in one’s life - and it’s possible you may only identify them in retrospect - following which the quality of life just got objectively better because that one thing had an outsize influence on your life. As an example, I remember when I felt healed from a traumatic emotional experience - to know that I wasn’t reacting or spiraling the way I’d done for decades felt like an arrival into a new phase of life. It colored everything.
I’ve found honoring those moments with some kind of a personal ritual also helps as a mile marker of progress.
Dear Priya, the glass chards of youth had colored teeth and changed the sunlight. Life can be a gambol like a slot machine you pay for a chance to win , but often lose. The writer inside calls you. The pen doesn’t write. You make the words. You are there. Have no doubts. Look forward to your next writing.
I don’t like to rank pieces because every piece of writing is it’s own wonderful expression — but this one of my favourite pieces you’ve written, Priya. It is beautifully said. Poignant in its point. And it carries an underlying emotion that is relatable.
Congratulations on making writing a bigger part of your life. And hooray for what’s next :)
Michael, thank you, my friend, for reading, for sharing your thoughts, and for your support! Finding community is one of the biggest gifts of my writing life!
Yes, to finally allowing writing to take up space. Enjoy the journey because as you say, we have a tendency to celebrate the mile markers and not all the hard work along the way. 🙏
Your story of the precious gems through naive childhood eyes is fascinating, Priya. The juxtaposition of seeing magic and beauty where knowing eyes might not see it, yet developing those knowing eyes yourself at a later point. Gems to tempt you closer, to lead you beyond, and to keep you within. Glass to keep intruders out, to feel safety and fear, and to keep you within.
There's a reality to all this. And I'm heartened that your conclusion of life inviting you further as you remain in your ever-present state is so enthusiastic. In having seen both the naive and the knowing, you've got the strength to positively navigate the two things that are necessarily keeping you within that present.
Martin, thank you! That’s the thing with walls- they protect you but life itself is also kept at bay. This dual function is replicated within us - we know life is in the present moment and we have to take the forward steps. Your comment helped me understand what I was pointing to.
Lovely Priya - as always. For me arrival also means this very internal feeling that only I (can) know is there where I exhale, smile and recognize I did something that I'm (even if just a teeny bit) proud of. When I release a story, even if I feel it's far from perfect, it's because it's reached a certain state for now and releasing it is a letting go, a landing, an arrival...
That’s wonderful, Reena! It relates to something Kurt Vonnegut (I shared the exact quote in an earlier comment) talks about too. It also gets to the idea that arrival is a personal milestone and that comparison doesn’t help. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I absolutely love this essay Priya. So many commonalities in my own journey with writing. I love that line: the key is to take up the invitation. Yes 💯
I’m so glad to have found your writing and to be able to witness your growth ☺️
Dee, thank you 🙏🏽! Appreciate the support!
An intriguing question, Priya. And no doubt at some time in our life, we ask ourself. But in thinking it over, do we ever really 'arrive' or are we always on the cusp? Maybe each new shore simply brings on the beginning of that next journey. I love that the word arrive points to 'reaching shore after a voyage.' Food for thought! For tomorrow's walk.
I agree, Jeanine. Each arrival is probably the beginning of another journey. It’s one of those both/and cases where it’s good to think about what arrival looks like for you while keeping in mind that it’s probably to look nothing like you expected. Thank you, always great to have a conversation with you!
Same here Priya.
Beautifully put, Priya. It’s so important to realise that despite the common trope on appreciating the journey, we each have our own instinctive craving for arriving somewhere. Perhaps it is because we are all aspiring to getting one inch closer to some “better” version of ourselves.
Sassygal, thank you! I think we want to know that there is a point where the striving stops and we bring ourselves to bloom or some further fruition. There is a Kurt Vonnegut quote that I think talks of this:
“I felt after I finished Slaughterhouse-Five that I didn’t have to write at all anymore if I didn’t want to. It was the end of some sort of career. I don’t know why, exactly. I suppose that flowers, when they’re through blooming, have some sort of awareness of some purpose having been served. Flowers didn’t ask to be flowers and I didn’t ask to be me. At the end of Slaughterhouse-Five…I had a shutting-off feeling…that I had done what I was supposed to do and everything was OK .” -Kurt Vonnegut
Priya -I so enjoy your writing! Your style is engaging. I believe you will enjoy much success with your craft.
There is a way of progressing in life that I have affection for. I don't recall the author, but the essence is that when we succeed in some endeavor, we feel as though we're on a hilltop. From this vista we can see another peak we want to be on. But no one can step peak to peak... it is necessary to travel through the valley. Often the valley is forested and there's no way to be certain we're heading toward that distant peak we admired. Sometimes we climb what is a different peak than intended and celebrate a whole new view of our travels through this dimension.
This brings meaning for me to the reality that we must love every place we have been--physically, psychologically, emotionally--because all were necessary to be here, now.
Richard, that image of not being able to jump from peak to peak is going to stay with me. I agree it’s important to honor both parts of the journey.
Thank you for your paid subscription! I appreciate the support.
Thank you for writing this, Priya! The question magically spoke to where my mind’s been lately. I feel like it’s comforting to think of arriving as taking action, like arriving at a new understanding. But personally I feel like arrivals are humans’ attempt to discretize the continuity of growth, transformation, and being buoyed along by the currents of time and one’s natural evolution. Kind of like we’re always arriving—or there is no arrival, really. Because of this I wonder if there will ever be a lasting feeling of a satisfying arrival; maybe not, and maybe the sustained dissatisfaction is what keeps us going.
Hi Andie, I agree, we are continually arriving and departing. Thinking of a more secure arrival point may also help manage the anxiety around the risk of leaving the familiar.
That said, there are some inflection points in one’s life - and it’s possible you may only identify them in retrospect - following which the quality of life just got objectively better because that one thing had an outsize influence on your life. As an example, I remember when I felt healed from a traumatic emotional experience - to know that I wasn’t reacting or spiraling the way I’d done for decades felt like an arrival into a new phase of life. It colored everything.
I’ve found honoring those moments with some kind of a personal ritual also helps as a mile marker of progress.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Dear Priya, the glass chards of youth had colored teeth and changed the sunlight. Life can be a gambol like a slot machine you pay for a chance to win , but often lose. The writer inside calls you. The pen doesn’t write. You make the words. You are there. Have no doubts. Look forward to your next writing.
Richard, thanks for reading! I love the glass teeth. Appreciate your support!
Really insightful Priya. Loved reading this.
Shital, thank you!
I don’t like to rank pieces because every piece of writing is it’s own wonderful expression — but this one of my favourite pieces you’ve written, Priya. It is beautifully said. Poignant in its point. And it carries an underlying emotion that is relatable.
Congratulations on making writing a bigger part of your life. And hooray for what’s next :)
what he said👆😁 Congrats Priya! I love this theme of arrival and how it ties in with journeys♥️🙏🕊️
Camilla, thank you for reading! It makes me happy that the words resonate with you!
Michael, thank you, my friend, for reading, for sharing your thoughts, and for your support! Finding community is one of the biggest gifts of my writing life!
Yes, to finally allowing writing to take up space. Enjoy the journey because as you say, we have a tendency to celebrate the mile markers and not all the hard work along the way. 🙏
Thank you for reading, Lani!
Your story of the precious gems through naive childhood eyes is fascinating, Priya. The juxtaposition of seeing magic and beauty where knowing eyes might not see it, yet developing those knowing eyes yourself at a later point. Gems to tempt you closer, to lead you beyond, and to keep you within. Glass to keep intruders out, to feel safety and fear, and to keep you within.
There's a reality to all this. And I'm heartened that your conclusion of life inviting you further as you remain in your ever-present state is so enthusiastic. In having seen both the naive and the knowing, you've got the strength to positively navigate the two things that are necessarily keeping you within that present.
I love it! Thank you so much for sharing.
Martin, thank you! That’s the thing with walls- they protect you but life itself is also kept at bay. This dual function is replicated within us - we know life is in the present moment and we have to take the forward steps. Your comment helped me understand what I was pointing to.
Lovely Priya - as always. For me arrival also means this very internal feeling that only I (can) know is there where I exhale, smile and recognize I did something that I'm (even if just a teeny bit) proud of. When I release a story, even if I feel it's far from perfect, it's because it's reached a certain state for now and releasing it is a letting go, a landing, an arrival...
That’s wonderful, Reena! It relates to something Kurt Vonnegut (I shared the exact quote in an earlier comment) talks about too. It also gets to the idea that arrival is a personal milestone and that comparison doesn’t help. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!