My Sunday List

May 28, 2023

Quote

The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within—strength, dignity, and courage. —Ruby Dee

Song

Muse by Lucius. A better title might’ve been Lucious. By Lucius. Ha. I love this track — it’s sumptuous and sensuous and makes me want to stay up late on a sultry summer night and have a deep conversation with someone who is interested in the same, or even having one with the blanket of night, right by myself.

I’m calling out your name

a desert that needs the rain

I watched

Nothing. Sometimes it’s great to take a break from watching narratives that have nothing to do with my life.

Book

Pico Iyer’s The Half Known Life. Yes — I’m still on this for the third week. Loving it. Taking it slowly. Iyer is becoming one of my favorite writers and I look forward to exploring more of his volumes.

Thing

The backyard. We have a tiny courtyard with a small, heated swim spa for John Henry to get in year round, a covered patio area, and a separate studio building where Hayes does his work. It’s perfect, really, and I love it so much. It’s my area for respite, relaxation, thinking, communing with the plants and the birds. I’ve enjoyed getting it up and running this year, and have put in one more raised bed today. I think that’s about it for now and it’s time to enjoy summer. I’m so grateful for this patch of heaven upon which I get to live and care for my family.

Favorite Photo I Took This Week

I didn’t take any worth showing you. But here’s a favorite from several weeks ago from when Hayes and I went to see Fruit Bats. We look like love and fun in motion. That look doesn’t slide across any of our faces enough. Enjoy it when it happens!

 

Prayer

Thank you, Great Spirit, for forgiveness, for growth, for showing me what I need to see, and the clarity to know what to do with what is in my sight.

Intention for the week to come

May I find compassion and empathy for myself as I continue to dive deeper into healing work. May I allow that work to be the center and purpose of my life without apology. May I find comfort, clarity, and peace in the solitude I cultivate for myself.

Something I’m thinking about:

Faith.

I have it and am so grateful for it.

I like what Flannery O’Connor said about it: Faith is what someone knows to be true, whether they believe it or not.

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

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Habit

Decluttering and rearranging. Clearing a space can go a long way when one is trying to clear the mind.

Wishes

1. That I have a successful week managing my emotions, feeling balanced, and remembering how to stay calm.

2. That I make good art, nurture my family and friends as they need and want to be nurtured, cook something delicious, have a deep and connected conversation with someone, and get a really good hug.

3. That John Henry has a great first week in his summer program.

4. That you will forward this to one person and that person becomes a subscriber too.

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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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