Monday with Muir: A Jagged Mist

"I am only a piece of jagged human mist drifting about these rocks and waters, Heaven only knows how or wherefore." John Muir

While digging for the context of another Muir quote, I ran across this one. It is from correspondence between John Muir and Charles Warren Stoddard in 1872. I find it so refreshing. The text of the letter is below in italics with images of the original handwritten passage following.

This quote is a humble response to the esteem Stoddard bestows upon Muir. Worldly praise rolls off Muir's back like water off a duck's feathers. He points Stoddard right back to nature and God for inspiration and nourishment and refers to himself as a "human mist". I love this because he isn't denying that there is purpose or meaning in his life, but that his time and influence are directed by Heaven and not himself. Therefore, how can he take the credit? The sun does not rise or set on our time, and we are but a vapor. ... What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14 The weight of fame, high-esteem, and expectation, can crush the spirit of creativity, purity, and humility. It is easy to get an inflated view of our importance with career titles, leadership roles, and social media stats, but every one of us is no more than a mist in light of eternity. Meditating upon that is so freeing. The smaller I am, the bigger God is in my world.

LETTER BY JOHN MUIR TO CHARLES WARREN STODDARD.

Facsimile published by THE BOOK CLUB OF CALIFORNIA with comment by CHARLES KEELER. Yosemite Val'Feb 2d (1872).

Dear Stoddard,

I have been claiming you for a friend for a long time although a few miles of air has separated us. Mrs. Carr has mirrored you up here many times and our mutual friend, Mrs. Hutchings has said many a loving word for you and last spring Mr. Emerson asked me many questions concerning you and spoke of verses you had sent him, in a way that made me hope that you had a song to sing grander than any you have yet conceived. In this way I have learned to know you, and I am cordially glad to feel that you are coming nearer.

You hope that you will not disappoint me. The danger of being disappointed is all on your own side. Don't believe one half that Mrs. Carr says. I am only a piece of jagged human mist drifting about these rocks and waters, Heaven only knows how or wherefore.

Hitherto I have walked alone. I shall rejoice in you as companion but remember that in that case "A vagabond shalt thou be". Moreover you must not hope that I can teach you, I am only a baby slowly learning my mountain alphabet. But I can freely promise that Nature will do great things for you. I know little of men. Yet I venture to say that half of our best teachers are manufactured, - so ground and pressed in the mills of culture that God cannot play a single tune upon them.

I am glad to learn my friend that you have not yet submitted yourself to any of the mouldy laws of literature - that your spiritual affinities are still alive and unsatisfied. Come then to the mountains and bathe in fountain Love. Stand upon our Domes and let spirit winds blow through you and you will sing effortless as any Eolian harp.

You will enjoy the ocean. There is but little difference between land and sea. Heavens What glorious storm nights you will have among phosphorescent foam.

May God be good to you. Lave your existence in the Beauty and Love of those Isles of the sea. Keep your heart pure, and it shall be like a silvered plate printed with God in a thousand forms.

Ever your friend

JOHN MUIR.

07152