The Sphinx on the Road to Nana's House

The Sphinx in the Emeryville Mudflats

When I was growing up, we would pass by this amazing sculpture garden in the Emeryville mudflats on our way to and from Nana’s house in Sacramento for the holidays. It was in the mile just before you get on the Bay Bridge headed for San Francisco. These were fantastical creations, something to marvel at, like the riddle of the Sphinx.

It was the free spirit of the Bay Area, art for art’s sake, and an abundance of creativity that was going to make the world a better place. Anonymous people made these sculptures and placed them there in the mudflats so that everyone passing through Berkeley on the I-80 Freeway could see. A kid would see that sort of thing and think, “I could do that.” That is what we want to see more of. 

It used to be like San Francisco was always under construction in my mind. I had a feeling like the music that was playing there just finished but was still echoing. It was the 80s, but you could tell the 60s had just been a minute ago.

It could be the pandemic, but I was in the City a few months ago on a Greyhound bus and it felt different. It felt like they’ve finished construction. Smooth glass and rounded metal skyscrapers are plugged into spaces that were all potential a few years ago. I wonder if there is any life in them. It’s weird. 

I overheard a conversation today that made me think of the character of our people these days. Less youthful idealism on the mudflats, and more rueful piling on opinions on the internet. A man was talking about how there comes a point for many people where they start to think more about what their life has been instead of what it could be.

Notice how the sun shines on the man made structures you can see on your way to be with your family, and on your way home again. The sun is the constant thing. Everything that does not reflect the light fades from day to day repetition.  

Recognize that while the character of some people becomes faded on the outside, there is something real inside of them that does not change. Youthful enthusiasm and energy turns into rue and regret when the building stops.    

Respond by renewing your commitment to the vows that serve as the foundation of your family. Whatever separation or divorce there may have been between your personality and others in the past, act today in honor of your family’s original moment. 

Whatever failures there have been, assume there will be similar failures moving forward. Do not let failure deter you from making a fresh start with renewed effort. Develop loving kindness in your familiarity with failure, so you will not be dependent on the chemicals of emotion for the energy to uplift your family. 
 
The real effort begins when you have let go of trying to make yourself feel better, when you have let go of trying to convince anyone to see things your way. Remain open and available. Maintain a continuous awareness of what is possible for your family. Be curious about what your people might need to live with you in the original moment. There is no hurry. The original moment is not going anywhere.   
 

* GODSPEED stands for “Gather Only Data in Sync with the Purpose of Every Excellent Deed.”

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