Best Things

Best Things dwell out of Sight - by Emily Dickinson

Best Things dwell out of Sight

The Pearl - the Just - Our Thought

Most shun the Public Air

Legitimate, and Rare - 

The Capsule of the Wind

The Capsule of the Mind

Exhibit here, as doth a Burr - 

Germ's Germ be where?

We analyzed this poem in my writing class yesterday, and the first time (and several times after that) I read it, I couldn't figure out what on earth she was trying to say.  But, after giving it some thought, here is my analysis:

The best things in life aren't seen, just like a beautiful pearl is hidden inside an ugly oyster, justice and thought are not something visible to the eye.  Thought and the ability to think is a beautiful, valuable but unseen gift.  Wind is unseen, the mind (not the "brain") is unseen, but what is the result of each?  We know the wind is blowing by the trees waving, by hair blowing; tornadoes, hurriances.  What is the result, the "time capsule" of the human mind?  It is THOUGHT.  But what is a thought?  What is the physical result of a thought?  All things were originally a thought in someone's mind.  Think about it.  This computer, my MacBook, is the physical representation of a thought.  And so is this table I'm sitting at, the house I live in, the car I drive, the choir I created.  Even my own children originated as a thought.  Right?  You can't NOT look around and experience the result of thought, just as when running into a "Burr", you cannot ignore its presence.  

There is nowhere you can turn without encountering a creation of the human mind.  

So what does that mean?  Our professor is constantly wanting us to ask the question "so, what?" when we read.  So, what does all that mean, and how is it relevant in my day-to-day life?

It means this: I am so overly-committed and accountable to so many people, things, organizations, tasks, deadlines, etc.  There are so many things I absolutely must do, that I have no choice but to comply with.  There are so countless things out of my control, that I cannot change.  I had a conversation with a best friend this week where I complained to him of my ridiculously crazy and complicated life.  I told him, my life is not my own, my time is not my own, that I am OWNED.  I am owned.  But, no.  The very next day, in my writing class, we analyze this poem, Best things dwell out of sight.  And you know what?  I am not owned; I will never feel that way again, because although many things may try to own me, my thoughts and my ability to think is all my own.  That is a powerful concept; a profound concept, one that I challenge you to really ponder.  No one has reign over our minds.  Instead of being subject to life and the things in it, feeling "owned", I feel so much more liberated at the idea of owning thought - my thought.  To write down thought is to honor it.  That is something my professor preaches, and preaches passionately.  WRITE IT DOWN.  I only wish I had started honoring my thoughts earlier in my life.  

And to the concept of "Best things dwell out of sight", it is a true principle.  What are the best things?  What are the best things in life?  My life?  Your life?  The best things are relationships, feelings, emotions, memories, thoughts, love, joy, peace, faith.  And they all dwell out of sight, in one way or another.  You cannot physically pick up a relationship, or love.  You cannot  put emotions and peace in a box and stow it away.  You can't buy a relationship, thought or faith and wear it to a black-tie event.  

No.  

The best things dwell out of sight.  

Honor your thoughts.  I promise it will change how you experience life.