“I miss you terribly sometimes, but in general I go on living with all the energy I can muster. Just as you take care of the birds and the fields every morning, every morning I wind my own spring. I give it some 36 good twists by the time I've got up, brushed my teeth, shaved, eaten breakfast, changed my clothes, left the dorm, and arrived at the university. I tell myself, "OK, let's make this day another good one." I hadn't noticed before, but they tell me I talk to myself a lot these days. Probably mumbling to myself while I wind my spring.”
Analysis
In this quote by Haruki Murakami, the speaker expresses a longing for someone they miss terribly, but also demonstrates resilience and determination to carry on with life. The imagery of "winding my own spring" suggests the act of preparing oneself and building up energy for the day ahead. The repetitive daily routine described emphasizes the speaker's commitment to moving forward despite the absence of a loved one. The mention of talking to oneself and mumbling while winding the spring hints at a possible coping mechanism or self-soothing ritual. Overall, the quote conveys a sense of inner strength and the ability to find stability and purpose in the face of loss.
Modern Relevance
In this quote by Haruki Murakami, the protagonist equates winding their spring each morning with finding motivation and purpose to face the day ahead. This serves as a reminder to take care of ourselves and find our own inner strength, even in the midst of missing someone deeply. In today's fast-paced world, where self-care and mental well-being are increasingly important, this message serves as a poignant reminder to prioritize our own emotional and mental health.
Examples of Usage
In his novel, Haruki Murakami beautifully illustrates the idea of carrying on with life, despite missing someone deeply. The protagonist acknowledges the absence of a loved one but finds the motivation to face each day with positivity. This passage showcases the resilience and inner strength needed to move forward after experiencing loss or separation.
Reflection Questions
As you reflect on this quote by Haruki Murakami, consider the following questions:
- How do you wind your own spring in the morning to prepare yourself for the day ahead?
- In what ways do you find solace or strength in routines or rituals, like talking to yourself or engaging in certain tasks?
- How do you cope with missing someone or something that once brought you happiness or comfort?
- What motivates you to approach each day with energy and a positive outlook, despite feelings of loss or longing?
Similar quotes
“Just as you take care of the birds and the fields every morning, every morning I wind my own spring. I give it some thirty-six good twists by the time I've gotten up, brushed my teeth, shaved, eaten breakfast, changed my clothes, left the dorm, and arrived at the university. I tell myself, Ok, let's make this day another good one.”
“It's because of you when I'm in bed in the morning that I can wind my spring and tell myself I have to live another good day.”
“I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.”
“One of these days, I keep telling myself, you'll learn to truly shut up and not care. And until then...well, until then I'll keep taking deep breaths because it feels like the wind got knocked out of me. For all my not crying, I sure feel a hell of a lot worse than I did at the end of All Dogs go to Heaven.”
“I can see myself watching him shave every morning. And at other time I see us in that house and see how one bright day (or a day like this, so cold your mind shifts every time the wind does) he will wake up and decide it's all wrong. I'm sorry, he'll say. I have to leave now.”