A Response to the Men's Journal Article

At 06:28 PM 3/20/2011, you wrote: >Hi Daniel, >Well, I’ve just finished reading the article and some of the posts about it. >I have a lot to say but it’s not for everyone so >I hope you’ll forgive my taking the liberty and writing to you. >Daniel, if even half of what he wrote is true, >you are a remarkable, intelligent, wise, (which >is different from intelligent), warm human >being. There is so much here I didn’t know about >you. How brave you were to let everyone in to >your world. Hearing about your dad, your dog, >and of course, your cabin, I’m not ashamed to say, I cried. >Thank you for helping me get to know you better. >Thank you for having the courage to tell it like >it is and to allow these very personal, very >private things to be printed. You are helping so >many of us, blind and sighted alike. >One thing worries me though. He writes as though >you’re much older, as though your journey is >almost over? I’m not sure if that’s how you >feel or how he chose to interpret it. The man I >know is vibrant, attractive (from all accounts) >and has too much energy for us mere mortals. I >understand the sense of wanting to move on and >feeling that you still have things you need to >do in this area, but I read a lot of sadness in >that piece. Remember that the most important >person in your life has to be you. Yes, we need >you and we all welcome your help and wisdom. >However, it has to be what you want. It has to >nourish you and give you a sense of fulfilment. >It’s none of my business but you have so much to >give to lots of people but make sure you give to yourself first. >Daniel you inspire me but you sadden me as well. Please take care of yourself. >I’m honoured to know you. >Anne > > Mon, 21 Mar 2011 >To: "Anne ... Bell" >From: Daniel Kish >Subject: Re: Men's Journal Article Hi, Yes, I'd say about half of what was written was true. I mean, it's mostly pretty true from a factual standpoint, but there are some facts that are misconstrued and misrepresented, and some tones that are misplayed. The author compacted an awful lot of details into a small space, and in the end, [despite many hours of my time spent with the fact checker] why let the facts get in the way of a good story... If I am honorable, it is because I, too, am honored. If I am wise, it is because much wisdom has been visited upon me. If I am warm, it is because I have been touched by angels, and my heart has been opened. I am not always the man I was. I do not grow stronger each day. If anything, my strength wanes with gentleness and tenderness; I thing I possessed too little of when I was younger. I am very tired, because I bear burdens that I do not feel I rightly chose. Yet, at the same time, I do feel younger and more vibrant with each year - as if the years peel away revealing a fresher, bright personage beneath. There is sadness, because there is the pain of so many imprisoned and restricted, and so much imposition to keep them there. I have never cried for any of my students, but I have wept more deeply than words can say in my dreams. The article did over exaggerate the angst of bitterness and sadness. I am not so morose as the article would make me seem. I certainly have my moments, but on the whole, I am brightly accepting of my calling. The hard part is that, though I feel to the very depths that I am called from a place of grace to do what I do, I do not myself feel qualified, so I struggle constantly with the feeling of being over my head and under achieving according to the Plan (with a capital P). I don't mean that to sound either grandios or self pitying, just factual. Probably the biggest errors of the article are that FlashSonar really isn't so difficult to learn as the article suggests, and I have no intention whatever, once I "hand over the reigns" to dwell on this perception stuff. I do wish to continue to share what I think I've learned with others, to whatever end, but not by trying to be a human bat. I will have had quite enough of that, and will happily pass that on to others. I would move more into the arts - into literature and music to tell the story. Thanks for your supportive words. Daniel