An Individual Life

There is not one big cosmic meaning for all,
there is only the meaning we each give to our life,
an individual meaning, an individual plot,
like an individual novel, a book for each person. - Anais Nin

It's interesting that in young adulthood we adopt our own - individual - role models. If we are lucky, those luminarie's keep guiding us and reassuring, long after their deaths and long after the initial infatuation. Nin keeps speaking sense to me, 30 years later.

Comments

[phd in yogurtry]

I commented under your Gabriella Cilmi post, but will duplicate here in case you miss it:

WOW! And only 16, huh? Great tune, even better sound. I can now rest a little easier, if Amy Winehouse self-implodes (which its looking awfully much like she is, sadly).

Why haven't we heard of this young woman here in the states?

And how is her name pronounced? Kill-me? Sill-me?

Thanks for the link, alison.

[phd in yogurtry]

As for Nin, I went through a period of reading several of her books, Diaries I believe they were. Poetic, insightful, ephemeral, vulnerable but strong too.

"An individual meaning" .. I like that.

Are there any particular writings of hers that are must-read in your opinion? I read a few, then stopped, can't remember why exactly.

[Alison]

Hey phd,

Gabriella's surname is pronounced 'Chill-me'. I hate to admit it but I haven't heard anything of Amy's but I know I'd like her. I've just seen the tabloid stuff and also feel sad.

Nin's "A Woman Speaks" is a book of transcripts of lectures and interviews she did throughout the States in the years just before her death and is great. Probably a bit dated now, I read it years ago, but have a look through in a library and see how you feel. A different kind of feminist for her time, (70's - 80's ?) but a feminist all the same. Very inspiring for me at the time.

I could never get into her diaries nor "Henry and June" but adored "Spy In The House Of Love" and "Under A Glass Bell".Beautiful poetic writing.

The first contact I had with Nin was to read her collection of erotic short stories, "Delta of Venus". Written originally for a anonymous sponsor,in the 1920's they are quite lovely still.

So glad you like Gabriella!

Cheers,
A.

[phd in yogurtry]

I have Delta of Venus by my bedside table. Haven't read them all, I read one here and there.

[phd in yogurtry]

Oh, and Amy Winehouse, the Back to Black CD is great. Pretty much every song is good.