Neverbeginning
by Ming Holden
photo by Ming Holden
I am editing Never Ended, Never Begun, a translation of Altai’s short stories. Altai (Mongolian name Altangerel) is a top lawyer in Mongolia at the Ministry of Justice. I go to her office every day at 3pm.
When I come in Altai is talking to her friend in Nigeria. They met in London, one of the places she studied for her law degree. Alta is smiling. He’s a funny guy, she says.
The weather is like a capricious girl, that’s what we say in Mongolian, she says.
I start to write down what she tells me.
— — —
In Mongolian we say writers have a long road—it means a special life. Writers have that kind of generous heart. Affairs I think, if the married man can’t give you anything in return it is good to keep the friendship, that is not so much about sex or about meeting but about knowing. A platonic friendship. Writers have the kind of heart that gives a lot and many kinds of love.
You have to decide what kind of life you want. Young people should keep open and try everything, to have each kind of experience, and then you will know the way you want to set your life.
Small mistakes are okay, but not big ones you can’t return from. Your soul will tell you which is which.
You will hear that right voice inside and your soul will tell you.
When I am friends with a woman her heart is noble, open, generous and broad and good. They’re great. Not about the petty things. It makes the friendship more powerful.
Buddhist philosophy states that the universe has no beginning and no ending. Same with human feeling and human life. You don’t know when they started—always a part of this eternal, constant universe.
Neverending is one word? Is there any adjective called neverbeginning?
I watch this TV if there is hot news, if something is happening. This is connected to the Parliamentary. If there are Mongolian Parliamentary debates I can watch them.
You should be free but you should keep cool. Otherwise if you trust everyone you will be falling in love and then…
I think in the U.S. people are very liberal. I found it too liberal in the UK. German girls are not like that. More self confident. I find German girls to be more manlike in terms of their character. Very tough. Aggressive.
Difficult to describe Mongolian women. The majority are powerful. Tolerant and patient with their life problems. But in a way they are strong because they guide men.
Men usually do that, they kiss. I think it’s good to know that you are liked and you are needed and people appreciate you; it’s good for women’s self esteem. Because you are not married then the more reason to be free. I think you need more self esteem. Then you will not trust from the very beginning. Keep it simple and cool.
In life you cannot make everything possible.
Willingness to create and discover is a painful process, but this is the way an artist lives.
I think there are two kinds of people—creators and executives. The girl in the story is a creator, this is the meaning of her life—the energy she needs.
— — —
Be prepared, my darling, she says as I leave. The capricious girl will be cold.
