The John Donnes of the Modern Era

John Donne was a fantastically witty poet and author. What is interesting about the life he lived is that his life took a dramatic turn and this can be seen the content of his writings. While he was young, he was wildly successful at writing love poems that attracted a younger, wilder crowd. It bought him popularity, validation, and wealth. However, John Donne chose to marry a young girl without the approval of his parents. This is where his life took a turn for the worst.

At this point, he lost nearly everything. He loses his diplomatic influence, his wealthy parents ostracize him and he is left to fend for his growing family. His tone begins to change in his writings as life is no longer as perfect as it once was. This is something that I feel most people can relate to. there are times in life where it seems like nothing could go wrong. Some enjoy this hiatus from problems longer than others. I find that many of the upper-class people in modern society experience this life growing up. This rarely lasts forever, as depicted by John's life. He was humbled and changes his writings from witty love poems to zealous pleas to God. Despite not always understanding why God sent him these trials, we do notice that he writes with deeper, more sincere intent than his earlier texts.

 A modern example I have noticed is Lamar Odom. He was a former professional basketball player who won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. Unfortunately, he got into drugs and like John, fell from fame. This story lives on today as he fought his addictions and is currently working to join the Chinese basketball league. The Lamar we knew is not the Lamar we see today. He is grateful for every day, realizing how close his life came to being lost. No matter who we are or what we have accomplished, nobody is invincible. In dropping to the lowest point, either our best or worst self is able to emerge.

Image credit: Love, Creative Commons Love, John Hain, licensed under CC by Pixabay

History Repeats Itself

History repeats itself. What a spooky phrase. When I hear that phrase I picture an old crotchety man who has enough wrinkles to rival my clean laundry pile that's taken up a permanent residence in the corner of my room. His skin is leathery and his hair is sparse and white. It all feels a bit cinematic. But I think there is an element of truth to it. History, in some aspects, tends to repeat itself. For example, let's take fashion. 80s high waisted mom jeans, 90s chokers, ripped jeans, tie dye, bell bottom pants, crop tops, overalls, platform shoes and etc. Have been in style and then out of style and then back in again. It seems like a cycle, or as Pocahontas says, "a circle, in a hoop that never ends." And honestly, I'm totally into those hoops.

When I hear the word renaissance, i think of the word "rebirth" I think of artists getting more artsy and philosophers getting more philosophical. But there was so much more to the renaissance than that. I think my favorite part of the renisannace, and the part that sounded the most familiar to me was the focus on humanism. People began to focus on the individual and started to value one in it's fullness. The perspective changed from viewing people to be like cogs in some machine, to the perspective that each person has great meaning and each life is valuable. The renaissance also started a trend of transitioning away from organized religion and into more secular topics. Poetry, history, rhetoric and other topics became of great importance and religion slipped from priority, to somewhere behind. If you aren't seeing the connection yet I'll bring it into focus. History at times repeats itself. Today there is a big focus on humanism, all you have to do is scroll through pinterest to see it. I also think people are leaning further and further away from religion. I believe we are on the cusp of another renaissance of sorts...what do you think?