Rage against the dying of the light
Last Updated on: May 2, 2024
The words of Dylan Thomas have been echoing in my head. They are about death, and his dying father, but to me they are uncovering something else.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
From the poem Do not go gentle into that good night by Dylan Thomas
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
We tend to seek more comfort and security as we age. Our experience reminds us what is difficult, stressful, and dangerous. Our human nature wants to learn that and avoid it, to increase our chances of survival.
But, we are no longer being chased by lions on the Savannah Plains. We have evolved, but our minds revert to old patterns and instincts.
So, as we seek that safety, we also close the doors to interesting and exciting experiences. Instead of trying a new hobby, we stick to what we know. Instead of taking a backpack around a new country, we choose the comfort and familiarity of a high-end cruise.
The poem speaks to me about fighting against and pushing back on our instinct to seek comfort. That comfort will eventually let our walls close in and our fears rise again.
Rage against the dying of the light.
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