Of Power and Time
Of Power and Time
Mary Oliver's essay 'Of Power and Time' from her book 'Upstream' delves into the multifaceted nature of the self and its impact on creative work. Oliver posits that an individual contains at least three selves: the persistent child-self, the attentive social self responsible for daily routines, and a third, often tyrannical, self that yearns for eternity and drives artistic creation. She argues that true creative work demands profound solitude, intense concentration, and an unwavering loyalty to this 'inner vision,' which necessitates a departure from ordinary obligations and the constraints of time. Artists, according to Oliver, aim to propel the world 'forward' rather than merely sustain its 'around,' embracing the disorderly and passionate aspects of inspiration. The essay concludes by highlighting the profound regret experienced by those who suppress their innate creative calling, emphasizing the critical need to dedicate both 'power and time' to artistic pursuits.
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I like conceptualizing the struggle of focused creative work as being sourced by a third self
our selves are in constant overlapping support of our seemingly non overlapping life goals
it's a journey of its own
the hard part is we only have one life. and it's pretty short
but who else is going to get the mustard?
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