Je fais peau neuve
(I'm turning over a new leaf)
Literal: I'm getting new skin.
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come." - Joseph Campbell
14 comments:
So, in France, the expression of more about a human experience. Leaf versus skin. To turn over a new leaf is to turn a page in a book. No? It is more of an outer experience. And, to get new skin, well that is to change your self, or at least to have exfoliated well.
This really hits home as you know! It's been a while since I read any Joseph Campbell.
LBR... Yes, I like the literal translation, as it implies more than the expression, "turning over a new leaf." To me, that just means that one is almost discovering something new. However, to get new skin is entirely different... there is a stronger sense of self transformation implied in such. And yes, when we're feeling nice and exfoliated, I suppose we can use this phrase then, too! :)
Sofia... Isn't Campbell inspiring? I turn to him repeatedly for inspiration and a renewed sense of my bliss. Why is it so hard for us to do this... to pursue the life waiting for us, not the one we've planned based upon social expectations and false sense of obligation?
I haven't read any J. Campbell books, but since his quotes have been coming to me out of the blue lately, I might have to check him out.
Collen, let me add my two cents to the yay-Campbell chorus. Good stuff. Now if you all will excuse me, I have to slap some more skin cream on my itchy scales that I'm too lazy to shed. ;-)
b, to get rid off our old skin, it would never be easy, wouldn't it? to be someone "new", to refresh our self-concepts which we known for years...
social expectations? they are more harmful than what we thought! especially when we still young and don't really know "where to go".
and to be honest, i never read any of Campbell's book. hehehehe... i'll start to find some, instead of my knowledge about him from wikipedia :p
Colleen... Yes, he is probably the main act in Quote Fest 2007, now 2008! I so recommend Power of Myth (his interview with Bill Moyers). It so changed my life incredibly!
Randal... Can you feel me ripping the skin cream from your clutches?! We will get you to shed that skin, damnit! You know you want new skin!!
Ancilla... Getting rid of that old skin can be a serious challenge as we've grown accustomed to it and to shed it makes us feel, well... naked. But really, there is a fresh and lovely layer of skin under this current one.
Social expectations are harmful, particularly when we have unknowingly convinced ourselves that these expectations are truly our own.
Yes, again, I totally recommend Campbell and The Power of Myth is a great one! As I said to Colleen above, it is one of about three books that I consider tremendously life changing in a hugely positive way!
i am curious about how to do that. does the book tell us something about it b?
maybe, the indications when we need to get rid off. or maybe stages which we have to passed?
I added that book to my ever growing list of books. Wouldn't it be nice to take some time off to just read all the books that are on our lists?
I added that Joseph Campbell book to my list as well. I LOVE this quote!! Thank you B! :-)
So inspiring!
B,
This is very profound. I know that you are seeking a new life, or maybe just a new way of life. I believe that a heart full of love and sincerity can achieve this. I am betting you can.
Nice to be here again and thank you for the reminder this post brought me.
T
Ancilla... For me, shedding my skin has required openness and authenticity of self more than anything. It is a process for sure and I don't think it can be forced, really. I think we all have an inner voice that tells us when that must be shed! Campbell's Power of Myth should prove inspiring however and Herman Hesse's Siddhartha is an incredible book along these lines as well!
Colleen... Oh, that damn ever growing list of books! I've started implementing this new ritual however. I promise myself that I will read so many pages a day. It seems ridiculous even to me that I have to set a quota for my reading but often, work and other daily obligations get the best of me and I wake up one morning and realize I haven't read in a couple of weeks! But Power of Myth would be a great book to do this with as it is an interview and broken up nicely. I think you will really enjoy it and be deeply inspired by it!
Zen Chef... Great! I am excited to hear what you think of it. Have you read Herman Hesse's Siddhartha? That is the other book that really inspired me in huge ways and also brought so much peace to my perspective of things. Glad you like the quote and found it inspiring! :)
Inside our Hands, Outside our Hearts... Yes, I am seeking a new way of life and am so touched by your faith in my ability to do so. Having support like yours makes a world of difference to this journey. Thanks for returning and know that visiting your blog is an always inspiring experience and one that I am truly grateful for.
Hey B, nice quote. While looking for your new way of life remember that there is nothing more whole, complete and perfect than all which is right here, right now...
TAYO... Thank you for the reminder. I feel so present as of late. It is amazing that we can truly pursue our dreams and/or a new way of life but also remain very present in the here and now. This makes me feel very alive and whole.
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