It is often the case with the silent children about us, that they cherish a dream which they dare not talk about.
~ Selma Lagerlöf
(Gösta Berling’s Saga)
cherished dreams
It is often the case with the silent children about us, that they cherish a dream which they dare not talk about.
~ Selma Lagerlöf
(Gösta Berling’s Saga)
Hi Barbara,
A very nice picture, I adore that golden chair.
I read Selma’s words a couple of times actually and it is rather deep, I will have to think more about that one.
That is a remarkable chair, isn’t it, mags! I think I was one of those silent children… http://ingebrita.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/very-young/
Barbara – I love the portrait of Selma Lagerlöf that you used in today’s post.
Thank you, Laurie…
Oh, yes, so many adults have such dreams they dare not speak of.
The portrait is very interesting. I am struck by the simplicity of the room and the subject, counterbalanced by the ornate chair.
Yes, true of adults as well…
That’s one of the wonders of Scandinavian design, I think, how they manage to combine many different styles and patterns and somehow make it look simple and unpretentious!
I often think about this, how speaking about something – like a dream – forever changes it. I really like how you’ve found a beautiful painting of the person you’ve quoted, works so well.
Thank you, Cait! I hadn’t thought of that before, how giving voice to a thought or a dream changes it forever. You also brought to mind that strange “observer effect” in quantum physics, how the act of observation changes the properties of the object being observed…
Sometimes the speaking of a dream opens it to criticism or appraisal and the dream is not yet strong enough to withstand the commentary. When some native Americans take a vision quest, they are urged not to share it for a long time–except to certain elders. They have to make the vision theirs, to realize it in their bones and blood, before putting it into words. Thoughtful post!
How wise of the elders to encourage the younger ones to keep their visions to themselves until they were a part of them! There are so many things children know and experience, but don’t have the words to communicate about them to others until they are much older. It would be wonderful if more adults were willing to listen carefully and then help children to find the words they need to share their dreams…
Yes, silence in childhood harbouring dreams.
Hi Val! I believe you’ve been there, too, my friend…