Fortunately, there are ways to find meaning in life. In fact, many people find inspiration through poetry and writing. By expressing their feelings and experiences through words, they are able to discover new perspectives on the world around them.
Emily Dickinson is one of the most beloved and enigmatic poets in American history. She is widely recognised as one of the most brilliant, original, and prolific poets of all time.
Her work was unconventional, her audience small, and her life a virtual secret compared to the well-known figures of the time.
Emily Dickinson was an independent thinker who was never afraid to challenge the status quo. She encouraged people to be open-minded and embrace their individuality. Her poems challenged conventional ideas about marriage, family, and religion. Many people have used her lessons as a source of inspiration over the years.
Today, she is celebrated for her vibrant use of imagery, vocabulary, and syntax and her honest and complex exploration of human emotion and spirituality.
If you aren’t familiar with her work, you probably know her as the reclusive author of many poetry volumes. Her poetry isn’t only memorable because of its simplicity; It also highlights important truths about life.
Many focus on nature and the everyday activities of 19th-century New Englanders. Others explore questions about death, faith, love and eternity. While still more are personal and deeply felt meditations on loneliness, isolation and the struggle to find meaning in an indifferent world.
For all her apparent social awkwardness, Emily Dickinson left a lasting impression on those who knew her. Even in the final years of her life, when she was almost entirely cut off from society, Dickinson left an indelible mark on those around her. Maybe the distance she put between herself and everyone else made them see her differently.
Whatever the reason, her friends and acquaintances became so enthralled with the self-sufficient life she’d carved out for herself that they began to emulate it themselves.
In her own words, Emily Dickinson was not the sensational recluse we know today. Rather, she was a poet and naturalist who spent much of her time with friends, family, and local farmers.
“My friends are my estate,” she said.
While keeping to herself in terms of social circles, she also enjoyed uplifting conversations on education and philosophy with close social connections — even advising from time to time. Even if it was in a letter. And only for them to find it later.
Dickenson’s wisdom is hidden in her poetry.
Emily used her poems as her primary tool for conveying meaning. Instead of relying on plot or setting to develop a character or tell a story, she focuses on diction to create atmosphere and evoke an emotional response. The beauty lies in the detail; the reader can look closely at each line and see the world through Dickinson’s eyes.
“I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine,” Dickinson said.
An interpretation of Emily Dickinson relies on understanding what made her tick; what motivated her to keep writing when there was so little return? Something about this woman compelled her to do things differently than anyone else before or since.
We cannot know precisely who or what inspired the poetry and writings of Emily Dickinson. It is difficult to understand her life because she was an incredibly private and brilliant woman. She worked in seclusion her entire life and only published a handful of poems during her lifetime.
She left behind a collection of approximately 1800 poems, personal letters, and jagged fragments of her journals. These writings, combined with the few facts we know about her life, have led researchers to believe that Emily was a genius.
Dwell in the possibilities of life
“To be alive is power; existence in itself; without a further function; omnipotence. —Emily Dickenson
Most of us go through life living in dread of making mistakes, failing, and getting rejected by others.
Instead of embracing the adventure of being alive and enjoying every moment, we often find ourselves dwelling on what could have been.
“Dwell in possibility. Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough,” she said.
Here’s Emily’s poem on the possibilities of life: “I DWELL IN POSSIBILITY” Emily DickinsonI dwell in Possibility — A fairer House than Prose — More numerous of Windows — Superior — for Doors —Of Chambers as the Cedars — Impregnable of eye — And for an everlasting Roof The Gambrels of the Sky —
Dwelling in possibility is one way to feel more satisfaction in life. Possibility thinking adds another layer of excitement to your daily routine by helping you see the big picture instead of getting stuck on the complexities of life.
It doesn’t matter how small or large your concerns are — if you look at them from a bigger perspective, they become insignificant by comparison.
“To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else,” says Dickenson.
Find and pursue your true north
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail,” says Emily Dickinson.
One of the biggest challenges in life is knowing what you want to do with your life. We’re all brought up with our own set of beliefs about what’s important and what’s not, and most of these ideas are developed long before we can even put them into words.
So the challenge is to look inside yourself and figure out what’s truly important to you. If you’re not clear on your vision yet, start by looking at what you’re already doing.
What activities do you enjoy most? What skills are you already good at? What kinds are you hoping to develop over time? Once you have a better idea of where your heart lies, start planning to get there.
“I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forego their use,” says Emily Dickinson.
Be more present
“Forever is composed of nows.” — Emily Dickinson.
Life is never certain, and the future holds many uncertainties. Now is all we’ve got to change ourselves or live a great life. Be more present. Every moment, second and year ever lived is a now, and the sum total of all your experiences is a lifetime.
“Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough,” says Dickinson.
Your present moment is one of those nows, but you also have dozens of other moments in your past that can be thought of as nows as well because they were once part of your life. So you can think of each day as a new now that is making up part of the sum total of all your nows.
Books are the dearest of time
“The dearest ones of time, the strongest friends of the soul — BOOKS,” — Emily Dickinson
Books are timeless knowledge sources that have stood the test of time. They are the only reliable companions on your journey through life, and they will always be there for you, no matter what.
Great books alter our perception and trajectory for life. “If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry,” Dickinson said.
Reading is a great way to spend time alone, and it’s also a great way to connect with other people. Plus, reading gives you a chance to learn new things and grow in ways that aren’t possible any other way.
“To travel far, there is no better ship than a book,” argues Emily Dickinson.
Life-changing books take us to places we’ve never been before and help us understand the world and other people better.
The joy of simple living
Emily always had “less is more” mentality. She believed in simple living, and many of her poems reflect that philosophy.
The joy of simple living comes from the freedom it gives you to make the most of your time without constantly investing in things that will only be used occasionally or not at all.
Whether it is about the joy of small moments or the importance of nature, Dickinson’s poems are full of wisdom that can be applied to any aspect of your life.
SIMPLICITY (How HAPPY IS THE LITTLE STONE) Emily Dickinson How happy is the little Stone That rambles in the Road alone, And doesn’t care about Careers And Exigencies never fears Whose Coat of elemental Brown A passing Universe put on, And independent as the Sun Associates or glows alone, Fulfilling absolute Decree In casual simplicity
Life can be challenging. Sometimes it feels like you’re walking through a dark forest with a litany of challenges trailing behind. But every life lesson is an opportunity to learn something new and to grow from the experience.
The great poet and author Emily Dickinson faced many hardships but persisted and made the most of life. With open-mindedness and curiosity, you can take inspiration from history’s great minds.
—
This post was previously published on Personal Growth.
***
You Might Also Like These From The Good Men Project
Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.
A $50 annual membership gives you an all access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.
Register New Account
Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.
—
Photo credit: Emily Dickinson, Public Domain
