Thought Cookie, Volume 2020, Edition 1
150 Words of This and That
I often think of my life as me, on my own trajectory. When I struggle, I think, “Whoa! I have to get my life back on track.” As if I am a solo string, stretched tight across the expanse of life, plumb and right. As if I am in this path, on this path alone or hanging off the string with bloody palms. This morning in meditation, my mind was exploring that idea. Then I looked a little closer at the string. As it turns out, it’s not a single string at all. I suddenly saw the string was actually winding, braided, interwoven. It was wrapped through and with my husband’s cord, and my childrens’ cord and my father’s and my neighbors’. Actually, at some point my cord was woven into all the other cords of the world, becoming a chord. I unhooked from my thinking and stood back to take in the image.
Reminder from the soul of truth: We are all interconnected.
Takeaway: This wild stallion of a pandemic is getting rearing again. For the last eight months we’ve been encouraged to fear contact, to stand sensitively away from one another, to isolate for safety. From that place, it’s easy to think, “I am alone” or “I must do this alone.” The truth is something different.
We are all woven into one another, tightening and tucking, pulling ourselves through together.
Inspiring morsel
Have you ever met a wolf? I haven’t. Never touched one or had occasion to feel deeply connected to one. Until I listened to this episode of Snap Judgment and met the 06 Female. Described as “the Angelia Jolie of wolves,” she spoke to my soul and teared me up on my daily run. She’ll inspire you, too. (Thanks to my husband for the introduction.)
Ingredients of note
Lately, I’ve been pondering the question, “What do you want?” and its answer. In my work on it, I did an unusual thing. I wrote the question four different ways, visually emphasizing each word in turn, for example, “WHAT do you want…What DO you want…” It helped me go deeper with the question. If you’re pondering what you want out of life, after this season is over, in the new year, I recommend adding this little ingredient to your musing.
From my bookshelves
I love the library. Back when I could go to the library regularly, I adored visiting their
corner used book shop. It was there I bought this little book, “How to Love” by Thich Nhat Hanh. I read inspiring books like this one morsel at a time so their ideas stick to my bones. I recommend it. Here’s a savory bit: “Sometimes a kind word is enough to help someone blossom like a flower.” -- Thich Nhat Hanh
I hope you come back for more. Another batch of Thought Cookie will be delivered on Dec. 15.