I have a bumper sticker that says, "He not busy being born is busy dying." It's from a song of Bob Dylan's called, It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding. It reminds me, or those behind me, to remember why we're living, why we're here. By having a mission in life, a reason to believe, we actually potentiate our body's own capacity to heal. This is what is called teleology, that our lives have a direction and purpose. We are not merely a collection of chemicals looking for someone to fix us. Healing comes from more than a mechanism. The most profound changes come from realigning with the creative drives that fulfill us.
When Dylan sang, " I was so much older then I'm younger than that now," I had no idea what that meant. I took my life so seriously when I was young that some friends remember me as being an old man in my twenties. Now I'm much happier, those values I held to be so important became larger and more inclusive, rather than narrow and sure. Growing old in ancient time was seen as ruled by the planet Saturn. Saturn appears at New Year as old man time with his sickle that cuts off life. He represents how as we age, we became more authoritarian and conservative. Our view becomes restricted just like the narrowing of arteries that choke the blood flow to the heart.
The reality is whatever the span of your life is, its only inherent value is in whether it is lived at all. And regarding memory and the fear of its loss, just read Dylan's Chronicles. Pay attention to how he describes the light in a room, the weather shifting or the sun reflecting, " like comets from a dark sky" from the glasses of a store's proprietor. He either took good notes or pays attention much better than most of us. It is these invisible qualities, the ignored moments and gestures, which give life its beauty. Through his endless tour, writing, painting, and appearing on Victoria's Secret commercials he is continuing to create. He may look old to you, but he's probably too busy being born to care.
Some elements that make up genius; intelligence, curiosity, reflection, and as Dr. Lange says, you just keep moving. Dylan's body of work towers over contemporaries. Frank Sinatra to Elvis to Michael Jackson.
He will leave us sometime. You might be one of those that think he looks terrible, sounds terrible. You will be utterly stunned when you see the world wide reaction on that sad day. As opposed to Michael Jackson though, you will have a chance to get it. Listen again to old recordings, see video of him singing at Lincoln Memorial in 60's, read his books, and even listen to his amazing Radio Hour.
If you do these things Mr. Jones, you will learn that there is something happening here and the appearance and vocals will be the least of it.
Good article. Thanks.
In every encounter that I have ever had with him he is genuinely engaging, empathetic and even funny. One of his qualities that make him so interesting is the sense of wonder he exhibits over what many would consider mundane or would fail to notice completely.
As far as aging, Bob doesn't seem to concern himself with time. When he talks about events or people of the past he gives the impression that they are happening or are here now.
are they keeping it from us for our own protection?
you know what i'm talking about:
an alarm clock!
His poetry is not always pretty but the man is ageless and of great spirit.