My Sunday List

July 30, 2023

Jul 30, 2023

Quote

Eventually we will find that we can be very grateful to those people who have made life most difficult for us. —buddhist wisdom

Song

New Person, Old Place by Madi Diaz.

I think this record sounds so great. The low end stirs me and the melody is hypnotic. And what a deeply truthful and painful lyric.

I watched

The mountains and the sky and the beautiful creatures.

Book

I’m loving The Joy Luck Club. I put down the Roy novel — I don’t know why, but it just didn’t make me want to keep picking it up. I’m too old to force myself to read a book that feels like that to me, so I’m moving on and owning it.

I got home last night and was delighted to see the Frances Mayes novel sitting on my nightstand. I thought, “Yay! I get to finish the book about the women!” Maybe that’s just where my head is these days. In any case, I’m happy to have reached this point in my life, where I can put down a book or walk out of a movie. I just don’t have enough days left for anything else.

Thing

This photo.

I was such a country child. Cut off blue jeans, some unfortunate tank top that I undoubtedly fished out of a bag somewhere, scabs all over my legs, grocery store feet, and a sweaty red head. That was my first cat, Claude aka Clawed.

Favorite Photo I Took This Week

I didn’t take it — this is from John Henry’s camp. Mid-air and magical.

Prayer

Thank you, Great Spirit, for showing me what I need to see every single day.

Intention for the week to come

May I find healing places inside myself at every moment.

Something I’m thinking about:

Those Healing Places I just mentioned.

There is no map. It’s all feel.

Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. — Buddha

Habit

I’m not trying to be clever here by saying I’m trying to develop the habit of noticing what is habitual. What is the habitual way I approach my life and each moment? We all have so many predictable responses. I certainly do. I wonder sometimes what is required to make real change and I always come up with the same answer — presence. What are the conditions that encourage as much presence as possible?

Wishes

That I feel joy every time I am able, and that I spread that joy to others.
That I take good care of my family, make good art, and keep myself clear of negative emotions and harmful stress.
That I meet others with love and compassion, even when I know I’m dealing with their trauma and not the real them.
That you will forward this to one person and that person becomes a subscriber too.

Have a wonderful, peaceful, joyous week. And thank you for supporting my work here at The Autotelic.

Lots of love,

Allison

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