Journal, August 1st, 2008
I am sitting in the Author’s Lounge at The Oriental in Bangkok. Over the years, many famous authors have come to this same room to write: Joseph Conrad, Noel Coward, James Michener, and Sommerset Maugham, to name just a few. I am hoping to soak up some of the residual energy of their genius! So far, all I can do is sit here in awe of the fact that such artists worked right here in this room. Amazing.
In a few moments they will begin serving High Tea, but right now it is quiet in here. Leather furniture, two beautiful desks to work at, hundreds of books in various languages placed in antique oak book cases, a Grandfather’s Clock, old photographs of famous authors hanging on the wall just above where I am sitting at one of the desks. The closest I can come to describing the ambiance here is to say it is full of light—literally and metaphorically.
Long ago, I discovered that various places— geographical settings as well as rooms—have a spirit, a certain feel about them, if you will, that was created by events that took place, sometimes long ago. Walking in a park, you feel an unexplained grief, only later learning that many men died in a battle on that exact spot. Other places elicit joy or optimism: the heroic character and great deeds of men and women leaving their mark on this room, that forest, or the Pub in London where you are sipping your beer.
Powerful forces leave powerful impressions.
Have you ever walked into a room filled with coworkers who, while they are each busy working in their individual cubicles, you just knew there had been a war going on there, only to find out that, minutes before you walked in, there had been an intense argument? How did you know this? The energy of the anger and acrimony lingered in the atmosphere. The same thing happens, over time, in many of the places we visit, work and live. Or so I believe.
So … what sort of impression are you engraving on the places where you live and work?
Copyright, Monte E Wilson, 2008
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