Hallelujah! I'm a Bum

The very personal joys of going it alone

Okay, here's a post that is not going to make me many friends. 

I was talking a walk yesterday, on a beautiful Sunday morning. And my route happened to take me past a the side door of a church. I heard voices from inside, and the clanking of dishes and cutlery.  People were talking in loud, energized voices - the kind of voices that people speak in when they are with other people, engaged in a shared activity.

I walked by, alone. And I was overjoyed to be alone - to be out there by myself, having my walk, just by myself under the beautiful blue sky. Intead of being part of that group with their shared purpose and energetic activity.

I have the same feeling of joy, I am reluctant to admit, whenever I bypass any kind of religous rites. For years, I sang in professional quartets for the Jewish holidays. Now when those holidays arrive, I am overjoyed that I am not part of them. For years, I sang in professional church choruses at Christmas and Easter. And now when those holidays arrive, I am delighted to be excused from taking part.

In fact, I believe I get just as much joy from being on my own at those times as the people do who are taking part.

Now, I am not saying that the people who love those religions and their rituals are doing anything wrong. I am simply saying that I am doing what is right for me. From my earliest days, I could not wait to escape from any kind of church or temple. I was practically jumping out of my own flesh, I was so eager to get outside. So my decision to go it alone in spiritual matters was not a difficult one to make. I just did what came naturally to me.

And because I read Emerson, I understand that there is some precedent for feeling the way I do. As he wrote in his diary, 

"My life is a May game, I will live as I like. I defy your strait-laced, weary, social ways, and modes."

In other words, "Hallelujah, I'm a Bum." Thanks again, Ralph, as always, for showing me that I am empowered to define the authorities in my own life.

Comments

[Marshall E]

Couldn't agree more! It's that feeling of knowing, knowing that you are doing something that fulfills yourself, and not because other people want you to do it. I love early morning walks, aimlessly, alone, watching the dead world receive new life as the sun rises. Other people get coffee, head to work, or even remain sleeping in their houses, but I walk. There are joggers out there too, but they have a purpose, and I do not.

Great entry! And by-the-by, I'll be emailing you shortly about that interview/questionnaire for my project...not sure if you remember (I contacted you a couple months back).

Keep being a bum!

-M

[Ina]

My religion is my own experience. Universe is my Home.

I stand with this post.

Have a great day, Barry!