Today I have had a lot on my mind. Trying to decide to have surgery, getting immersed in a new ward (which went great btw. More on that to come)etc. Where did I turn?- yes to the scriptures, prayer and friends but also to Mr. Oscar Wilde and his play An Ideal Husband. Who would have thought that a gay man from the late 19th century would have so much to to teach a Mormon girl in 2012.
The play is about a politician who has a past unbeknownst to all of his friends including the silly Lord Goring. Unfortunately this past is used as blackmail and all pandemonium breaks free. Well, here are some quotes that made me laugh and some that made me think:
Lord Arthur Goring: Fashion is what one wears oneself. What is unfashionable is what other people wear. Other people are quite dreadful. The only possible society is oneself.
Lord Caversham: I don’t know how you stand society. A lot of damned nobodies talking about nothing.
Lord Arthur Goring: I love talking about nothing, Father. It’s the only thing I know anything about.
Lord Caversham: Do you always understand everything you say?
Lord Arthur Goring: Yes… if I listen attentively.
Lord Arthur Goring: I’m sorry, Father, but the truth is, this is not my day for talking seriously.
Lord Caversham: Well, what do you mean, sir?
Lord Arthur Goring: I mean that I only talk seriously on the first Tuesday of every month. Between noon and three.
Mabel: Lord Goring, I gather you’re to be congratulated.
Lord Arthur Goring: Well, there’s nothing I like more than to be congratulated, though invariably I find the pleasure immeasurably increased when I know what for.
Lord Arthur Goring: There’s somebody I want to you talk to.
Lord Caversham: What about?
Lord Arthur Goring: About me, sir.
Lord Caversham: Not a subject on which much eloquence is possible.
Lord Arthur Goring: Rather than risk losing your love, he would do anything. Has he not been punished enough?
Gertrude: We’ve both been punished. I set him up too high.
Lord Arthur Goring: Do not set him down now too low.
(I like this one when thinking of couples I know after a break up. Someone once too high, suddenly becomes too low.)
Lord Arthur Goring: Gertrude, it is not the perfect, but rather the imperfect who have need of love.
Gertrude: You seem to know a great deal about it all of a sudden.
Lord Arthur Goring: Oh, I hope not. All I know, Gertrude, is that it takes great courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it. And even more courage to see it in the one you love. Gertrude, you have more courage than any woman I have ever known. Do not be afraid now to use it.
I think that last one is true of yourself. Don’t you have those moments where you see yourself in all its tainted glory? I do. Have had those moments lately (something about turning 31. You must face your own mortality, your own value to the world). I feel closer to God and Jesus Christ than ever before. In fact, I haven’t felt their presence as palpably in my life since my mission.
It is certainly true that ‘it is not the perfect, but rather the imperfect who have need of love.’ I’m proof of that! We all are. (Unless the perfect man really is out there and if so please show yourself to me at once!)
It reminds me of one of my favorite speeches The Solitude of Self by Elizabeth Cady Stanton:
“To guide our own craft, we must be captain, pilot, engineer; with chart and compass to stand at the wheel; to watch the winds and waves, and know when to take in the sail, and to read the signs in the firmament over all. It matters not whether the solitary voyager is man or woman; nature, having endowed them equally, leaves them to their own skill and judgment in the hour of danger, and, if not equal to the occasion, alike they perish.”
There are moments in life when you get to know yourself- Aren’t those tough? but we need them to see our true potential. Working on that right now, the solitude of self…
Rachel's Musings 
“There are moments in life when you get to know yourself- Aren’t those tough? but we need them to see our true potential. Working on that right now, the solitude of self…”
I so agree. I’m going through that right now. When I had the Carpal Tunnel surgery I had to stop writing for a long time, and I gave up my way of breathing. God used this time of solitude and depression to turn me into a new person, but I’m not used to the new person I am yet. It’s a weird feeling! I hope I can adjust soon so I can make a proper impact on the world…I feel disconnected…
That sounds painful but I appreciate your thoughts, ‘I’m not used to this new person’. I can really relate to that.
Some curve balls in life are thrown to you by God such as a natural disaster or a timely death, others by others choices, and some by your own choice. All of them can be equally painful and life changing. People only say ‘change is a good thing’ when they aren’t going through change! But if we let it change makes us stronger and gives us more faith, so I guess it is a good thing.
I’ve been worrying a lot about my legacy on the world. Don’t (I know easy to give the advice hard to live it). Worry is Satan’s way of stealing your time. God will work out your legacy. Look at this, you’ve had an impact on me and we don’t even know each other.
Would you like some hand warmers for your carpal tunnels? The company I work for makes them. If you feel comfortable email me your address and I will send you some.
“Look at this, you’ve had an impact on me and we don’t even know each other.” This is so true! God is great 🙂
I’ll have to ask my mom about the hand warmers. Thanks for offering! If she says yes I’ll get back to you. 🙂
I guess if you read my latest blog post I talk about my current dilemma in more detail. Basically before the Carpal Tunnel I always looked forward to publication, that was my goal. But right now I don’t have any goals and I feel like everything I do sort of vanishes into the wind…sigh. Haha. 🙂
Sounds good.
I know what you mean about goals. Life has a way of making fun of your goals sometimes! Still they are important. Make sure you set goals for things that are in your control.
For example, I can set a goal to finish school in 4 years. I can not set a goal to be married and have a baby in 4 years because that in most ways is out of my control.
Pray to God and He will help you to know what goals to set. Also, I’ve found it helpful to accept the fact that you might not succeed, deal with it and then press forward assuming you will succeed.
I heard that advice about prayer. Deal with the fact upfront that you might not get an answer and then proceed as if you will. It has really helped me focus my prayers and my goals.
Last year I had a goal to surf for the first time and it was one of the best days of my life. Don’t forget to set some fun goals! Life should be rich and full of exciting experiences. https://smilingldsgirl.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/i-surf/
I should watch this movie again. I haven’t seen it in so long that I don’t remember it at all. Have you see the old version of The Importance of Being Earnest? I love that one. I didn’t like the more recent version, though.
I don’t think I have seen that. I’ve seen the new one. I thought it was OK. ( I love Collin Firth in just about anything) but it wasn’t great. I really like An Ideal Husband. Its very funny and also insightful.
Isn’t it nice when something can be funny but also make you think? There should be more movies/plays like that.
The acting is also good. One of those movies that got forgotten but I enjoy very much.