Cutting the Gordian Knot

Before I write anything else, let me give you some background as to the origins of the Gordian Knot.

In Greek and Roman mythology, the Gordian knot was an extremely complicated knot tied by Gordius, the king of Phrygia in Asia Minor. Located in the city of Gordium, the knot came to symbolize a difficult problem that was almost impossible to solve.

According to legend, Gordius was a peasant who married the fertility goddess Cybele. When Gordius became king of Phrygia, he dedicated his chariot to Zeus and fastened it to a pole with the Gordian knot. Although the knot was supposedly impossible to unravel, an oracle predicted that it would be untied by the future king of Asia.

Many individuals came to Gordium to try to undo the knot, but they all failed. Then, according to tradition, the Greek conqueror Alexander the Great visited the city in 333 B . C . After searching unsuccessfully for the hidden ends of the Gordian knot, Alexander became impatient. In an unexpected move, he took out his sword and cut through the knot. Alexander then went on to conquer Asia, thus fulfilling the oracle’s prophecy. Alexander’s solution to the problem led to the saying, “cutting the Gordian knot,” which means solving a complicated problem through bold action.

I apologize for not returning to the page/screen yesterday as I promised to myself. Let me explain why.

As far as writing my collection of short stories and blog, I tend to overthink every word, phrase, concept, and idea to the point that i am left with a blank screen or a jumbled, convoluted draft. I twist and turn myself to the point that I inadvertedly bind myself into my own gordian knot. My frustrations with the words lead me to this point of inactivity. I sometimes wish to constantly edit my writings if I sense that they’re not well articulated. Sometimes, I’m tempted to delete a post altogether, yet i let the words stand however imperfect they appear (or at least according to me).

Just last night, I realized that the vise and predicament that I found myself in requires simply a bold, impulsive action – this Alexandrian Solution. Write! Write! Write!

Let me say that , all an all, this blog is both an experiment and an experience for me. For all I know, these words are for my eyes only, but I am welcome in sharing the experience with whomever stumbles across this page.

You can easily find bits and pieces of yourself on the internet. Some aspects that you wish to expose to the public eye; the others that you wish to remain hidden. As I’ve aged, I’ve noticed that I’ve tended to guard my own thoughts. I’m learning to be more open with my thoughts.

There was a time that I constantly wrote in my journals. I documented my thoughts, my fears. my triumphs, my failures, and my regrets. Yet, as I further immersed myself within this 9-5 existence, I no longer returned to the page or screen to write. In my opinion, words came more easily back then. I am trying to reach a threshold in which my words will flow again.

Now, allow me to go on a tangent in this post.

Let me be upfront is saying that I love to laugh. So, a few of my posts come off as a bit silly. I am of the firm belief that humor makes the world go round. I tend to remember the moments that I laugh to myself, laugh with friend, etc. So, if I can share a laugh with someone that stumbles across my blog – the more the merrier.

Every morning, I commute from Brooklyn to Manhattan to go to work. If you scan the faces of the subway riders on any given day- some wear a mask of sleep – others wear a glum guise – the rest are a combination of both. I did not notice this about the subway riders enroute to their morning destinations until a group of laughing, chattering, elementary school children and their adult chaperones came to share my subway car as they boarded the L train at Lorimer. The contrast between the other subway riders and the children was very pronounced. The children’s laughter, joy, and alertness made the fact evident that they were gladly anticipating their destination (wherever that may be) while the rest of us were awaiting our respective destinations with quiet, drowsy dread.

The children were fully present in the moment while the majority of us were steps away from slumber. When I say present, I mean that they were truly aware of themselves and their surroundings. They truly were engaged with one another while the lot of us were immersed in books, magazines, newpapers, and iPhones. I envied the children for I wish to have that feeling of wonder, joy, humor and acticipation with each destination that I embarked upon everyday (even if it’s only for work). It was a revelation to see these children laughing amongst each other surrounded in the company of others who appeared to be in such ill humor. The thought made me smile to myself. Each and everyday, I seek out ways to find humor with the world around me and to laugh and smile to myself as much as I can. I wish to encounter the present by being present myself.

Okay. I have go back to work. Cheers.

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