Here are the lovely things I have been thinking about lately. I hope that you all have had the freedom and power to create something meaningful this week. I wish you the gift of uninterrupted time.
Mason Currey’s Substack Subtle Maneuvers and his book Daily Rituals: Women at Work
I have been a fan of Mason Currey’s work for awhile now. His books, along with Austin Kleon’s trilogy, hold a special spot on the bookshelf right above my writing desk. He has a wonderful Substack where he posts incredibly thoughtful questions about art and artists, and the rituals, poetry, and inspiration that make them all essential teachers to anyone who is trying to be a creative person in this world. He even takes the time to answer personal comments on these threads, and I for one, get a little thrill when any author responds to their audience (especially when I’m in it). This week’s question centered on Alice Notley and the role of suffering as a connection between poet and reader, I highly recommend it.
George Harrison
In my office, I have a wonderful framed photograph of George that he took of himself (in the days when taking a selfie required a lot more ingenuity), and it is one of my most treasured possessions. He reminds me through his music, his lyrical poetry, and his legacy that this life is a temporary one, and we should be at peace with the process and release all of the ego, fear, guilt and anger associated with taking ourselves too seriously. Above all, we should look for the humor and absurdity in this life as well. You may not know, or maybe you do, that George was one of the film producers for Monty Python’s quintessential films, and counted Eric Idle among his dearest friends. And, while he was considered “the quiet Beatle”, it was his approach to inner work and touching the divine that spoke volumes—loudly.
Looking forward to concerts
I have recently purchased tickets for three shows I am quite excited about. Mavis Staples in Spokane with my dear friend, Nicki. Peter Gabriel in the fall with the Hill brothers and Dave. The Seattle Symphony playing the score from Return of the Jedi while the movie plays, also with said Hill brothers. While I love live music, and adore being in a crowd of people all experiencing the same power, rhythm, and silences, I think I love looking forward to the concerts even more. I love the anticipation of seeing the tickets in my in-box, of seeing the date on my calendar, thinking about what to wear, where to eat, who I may run into, all of it. So, if there is a concert coming soon that you are debating, this is your sign from the universe, to buy the seats. The Cure is coming to Climate Pledge, so I may take my own advice as well.
Esther Perel’s podcast, “Where Shall We Begin”
Oh my goodness. If you have never listened to this show, you must stop reading, and go do that now….I’ll wait. Okay, now you know. Ester Perel is a powerfully adept questioner. She offers practical advice paired with insightful recommendations. Each relationship at the center of the episode requires a different set of tools, alternative ways of thinking, and even spoken language, but Perel has mastered all of them. She is rarely flustered and always honest when she is. The latest episode which examines a couple who is suffering due to the war in Ukraine, the husband bound by duty to stay in his country with their older son and the wife who has relocated to France with their younger son, will slay you, but it is Perel’s gentleness and offer of hope that will stay with you long after you stop listening.
Getting up with the sun
I don’t do it everyday, but when I do, I feel more in tune with my body, my heart, and the universe. Rumi says, “And still, after all this time, the Sun has never said to the Earth,'You owe me.' Look what happens with love like that. It lights up the sky.” Wake up just one day this week to Love like that.
Keep Writing, friends.
x A