One bite at a time, that’s how I’ve been picturing my progress through life since before COVID as “things” just kept coming out of nowhere to overwhelm me, piling on even. Ref is to that saying about "how you eat an elephant," as weird as that is. Anything else is just too much and I know (physically and psychologically) immediately when I have bitten off more than I can chew, to use a useful old Ozarks saying. After a couple of books I read 35 years ago each mentioned the health benefits of monitoring and controlling what you ingest into your mind in the same way that people who care about themselves monitor and control what they ingest into their digestive and cardio-pulmonary-vascular systems, I have consumed almost no details of World and National News as they happen, preferring to wait as if I’m still depending on a morning newspaper to arrive that summarizes the important details or a weekly round-up online or on the radio. And eschew any movies-TV shows-books-music that are designed to create a lot of suspense or shock or horror or anger or confusion. A pretty mild life but it works for me and I could relate to your remarks about avoiding shows this year that you have previously looked forward to watching. We will find our way through this, I just know it, if we keep questioning long held assumptions about what we *need* and what we *want* and what will bring us peace in this life. Thanks for writing to share with us, I get something out of every message you post. No obligation, of course, but want you to know that I appreciate these posts.
The world feels like a bleak place right now (or maybe it’s just the US?). Whatever little things we can each do to create beauty, make connections or community, help someone…those small acts add up.
Over the past week, my social media attention has been overwhelmingly on tributes to Bobby Weir (his life, his music (for him, they seem to have been the same), the memorial gathering in San Francisco), and following the Peace Walk, listening to the monks' daily talks. There seems to be a thread of stillness common to both that acts like a balm and counter-programming to the insanity. I am finding the small things and activities, such as the ones you describe, to be most important, easily overlooked, or devalued by the dominant materialistic culture, the invitations to slow down and be present. Nothing new with any of this, that's for sure.
"What shall we say, shall we call it by a name
As well to count the angels dancing on a pin
Water bright as the sky from which it came
And the name is on the earth that takes it in
We will not speak but stand inside the rain
And listen to the thunder shout
I am, I am, I am, I am." ~ Let It Grow, John Barlow
I so appreciate you naming this. I feel the same way, and also have the disease feelings mixed up with the what’s-going-on-right-now feelings, and who knows what’s what and of course it makes sense to feel terrible right now!
But it helps to hear how you’re feeling through it all. And yay for box breathing!
I love love love your little grounding card... I may have to make myself one (or six)!
Please do! I used some clear tape and made a hinge so the card could live in my journal and have both sides available.
Oh I feel your pain! Things just suck, so I'm fleeing to the Caribbean for 10 days. Need to find joy somewhere.
Soak up some sun and joy for the rest of us. Safe travels.
Thank you. I will. 😎
One bite at a time, that’s how I’ve been picturing my progress through life since before COVID as “things” just kept coming out of nowhere to overwhelm me, piling on even. Ref is to that saying about "how you eat an elephant," as weird as that is. Anything else is just too much and I know (physically and psychologically) immediately when I have bitten off more than I can chew, to use a useful old Ozarks saying. After a couple of books I read 35 years ago each mentioned the health benefits of monitoring and controlling what you ingest into your mind in the same way that people who care about themselves monitor and control what they ingest into their digestive and cardio-pulmonary-vascular systems, I have consumed almost no details of World and National News as they happen, preferring to wait as if I’m still depending on a morning newspaper to arrive that summarizes the important details or a weekly round-up online or on the radio. And eschew any movies-TV shows-books-music that are designed to create a lot of suspense or shock or horror or anger or confusion. A pretty mild life but it works for me and I could relate to your remarks about avoiding shows this year that you have previously looked forward to watching. We will find our way through this, I just know it, if we keep questioning long held assumptions about what we *need* and what we *want* and what will bring us peace in this life. Thanks for writing to share with us, I get something out of every message you post. No obligation, of course, but want you to know that I appreciate these posts.
Janet - what a lovely and heartwarming response! I appreciate your thoughts and your take on all this… many blessings to you!
The world feels like a bleak place right now (or maybe it’s just the US?). Whatever little things we can each do to create beauty, make connections or community, help someone…those small acts add up.
Over the past week, my social media attention has been overwhelmingly on tributes to Bobby Weir (his life, his music (for him, they seem to have been the same), the memorial gathering in San Francisco), and following the Peace Walk, listening to the monks' daily talks. There seems to be a thread of stillness common to both that acts like a balm and counter-programming to the insanity. I am finding the small things and activities, such as the ones you describe, to be most important, easily overlooked, or devalued by the dominant materialistic culture, the invitations to slow down and be present. Nothing new with any of this, that's for sure.
"What shall we say, shall we call it by a name
As well to count the angels dancing on a pin
Water bright as the sky from which it came
And the name is on the earth that takes it in
We will not speak but stand inside the rain
And listen to the thunder shout
I am, I am, I am, I am." ~ Let It Grow, John Barlow
I so appreciate you naming this. I feel the same way, and also have the disease feelings mixed up with the what’s-going-on-right-now feelings, and who knows what’s what and of course it makes sense to feel terrible right now!
But it helps to hear how you’re feeling through it all. And yay for box breathing!
Thanks, Kelsey. I hope your work is going well.
feeling the same way by the hour