Spot on…attending to my immediate, direct experience is a main way I manage my grief.
As in, I can’t clean up the rubble of a girls school in Iran, but I can clean up this kitchen. Or, I can’t restore order to a chaotic world, but I can use my breath to restore order to my own torso.
Which is the place I actually experience all such trauma. So, maybe start here; like a little prayer: as within, so without.
Thanks James. I had just finished reading Carrie’s post when your email came in. Love the poem. Heading out on a road trip this morning in the camper van. I will be holding your words (and Carrie’s) on my heart. 💖
Facebook has been feeding me a lot of comedy, psychology, and now has started with stoic philosophy - go figure. I resonate with the idea that we really can't control much of anything - except for our own actions and reactions. So, yes - fold those creases - we each need to do whatever it takes to protect our sanity and joy!
The peach pits in the window — I love that image. I have quite the altar collection on my own windowsill. What stayed with me was the caring for small things. It's why I love gardening. Attuning to the tiny world around us is its own quiet reset — for me, and maybe for the collective too.
Creating “altars in strange places… we are changed by how we use attention.” Thanks for inviting me to think about the agency of attention, dear James.
Spot on…attending to my immediate, direct experience is a main way I manage my grief.
As in, I can’t clean up the rubble of a girls school in Iran, but I can clean up this kitchen. Or, I can’t restore order to a chaotic world, but I can use my breath to restore order to my own torso.
Which is the place I actually experience all such trauma. So, maybe start here; like a little prayer: as within, so without.
Spot on Bill.
So beautifully and poetically said, Bill.
Thanks James. I had just finished reading Carrie’s post when your email came in. Love the poem. Heading out on a road trip this morning in the camper van. I will be holding your words (and Carrie’s) on my heart. 💖
Grateful to be in the sacred space of your heart! Enjoy your road trip!
Tending to what’s here,
with tender true attention.
All caring matters.
Thank you James for putting the concept of "to love is to attend, to attend is to love” into a poem for us to carry with us into our days.
You are very welcome, my friend!
I am doing the same, and have now (growing more and more present) for quite some time.
Maybe THAT is really all that is "required" of us, since we chose to be here now. In these incarnations, at this time, in this space.
I agree. Attending to small daily tasks with great care and awareness fosters gratitude, and therefore peace. Thank you for writing this!
Facebook has been feeding me a lot of comedy, psychology, and now has started with stoic philosophy - go figure. I resonate with the idea that we really can't control much of anything - except for our own actions and reactions. So, yes - fold those creases - we each need to do whatever it takes to protect our sanity and joy!
The peach pits in the window — I love that image. I have quite the altar collection on my own windowsill. What stayed with me was the caring for small things. It's why I love gardening. Attuning to the tiny world around us is its own quiet reset — for me, and maybe for the collective too.
Creating “altars in strange places… we are changed by how we use attention.” Thanks for inviting me to think about the agency of attention, dear James.