You’ve time capsuled a delightful bread crumb to trace back to that marvelous voice & mind of yours. “Should” you drop another? By when? Notice what happens when our own bread crumbs boomerang back to us...
I’m noticing how they play differently to me over time. When I compare my reactions to the same breadcrumb found years apart... Fascinating. Telling. Self indulgent. Curious. Important. Worthless. The whole shebang of possible responses are possible.
Sometimes it all comes back to Oy! Oy is this happening in my head again? Oy which response is worth holding close? Oy I need to write another letter. Oy what a magical design that there’s so much to consider. Oy I finished this comment & have activated Richard’s Oy!
Thank you for your lovely letter, Richard Nash. Had I read it in time, I would have abandoned my depressing dissertation topic and written about a topic I was excited about, "Shakespeare and Sugar." But I felt I had gone too far down the road. Heidegger may well be a suitable life coach for us, though I personally favor Jeeves. Your letter is stunning. So great to hear from you.
Thank you for this, Richard. Made me feel good about the permissions I've given myself over the years. But permission is a luxury, unavailable to those who must make choices out of necessity, so I still feel guilty. Oh well.
Thanks for sharing these thoughts, Richard. Your observations really resonated with me. "Wings of Desire" is one of my favorite films. It's so intensely meditative and quietly joyful. I love all those shots in the library. I'm really struggling with grind culture and your permission to yourself reminds me of The Nap Ministry account on Instagram. Rest well. -Adrienne
Good stuff, Richard. Feels connected to the "be kind to yourself" movement that seems to be everywhere now as a response to Covid, climate change stress, and political insanity. I suspect many of us have fallen into the pattern of rarely questioning the "should" behind the feeling that you should be doing something. Your piece is a good reminder that asking that question a little more often -- and abandoning the "should" when, on reflection, it doesn't seem justified -- would probably be a good practice.
I have been trying to impart this wisdom to my child. As I read, I know that your way of articulating it as an artist and writer will reach her in a way my dry science words cannot. Sharing with her immediately. Thank you.
Also, look what I just saw in the NYT. A profile of a guy who is the best in the world at not finishing a race: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/25/sports/erik-sowinski-pacer.html
You’ve time capsuled a delightful bread crumb to trace back to that marvelous voice & mind of yours. “Should” you drop another? By when? Notice what happens when our own bread crumbs boomerang back to us...
I’m noticing how they play differently to me over time. When I compare my reactions to the same breadcrumb found years apart... Fascinating. Telling. Self indulgent. Curious. Important. Worthless. The whole shebang of possible responses are possible.
Sometimes it all comes back to Oy! Oy is this happening in my head again? Oy which response is worth holding close? Oy I need to write another letter. Oy what a magical design that there’s so much to consider. Oy I finished this comment & have activated Richard’s Oy!
Enjoyed your letter, thx!
Thank you for your lovely letter, Richard Nash. Had I read it in time, I would have abandoned my depressing dissertation topic and written about a topic I was excited about, "Shakespeare and Sugar." But I felt I had gone too far down the road. Heidegger may well be a suitable life coach for us, though I personally favor Jeeves. Your letter is stunning. So great to hear from you.
Glad I found this today!
Lovely and (if not against the spirit of the piece to say so) well-timed. Thank you.
Thank you for this, Richard. Made me feel good about the permissions I've given myself over the years. But permission is a luxury, unavailable to those who must make choices out of necessity, so I still feel guilty. Oh well.
Thanks for sharing these thoughts, Richard. Your observations really resonated with me. "Wings of Desire" is one of my favorite films. It's so intensely meditative and quietly joyful. I love all those shots in the library. I'm really struggling with grind culture and your permission to yourself reminds me of The Nap Ministry account on Instagram. Rest well. -Adrienne
I give myself permission to just "clap" emoji. Sending warm regards
Good stuff, Richard. Feels connected to the "be kind to yourself" movement that seems to be everywhere now as a response to Covid, climate change stress, and political insanity. I suspect many of us have fallen into the pattern of rarely questioning the "should" behind the feeling that you should be doing something. Your piece is a good reminder that asking that question a little more often -- and abandoning the "should" when, on reflection, it doesn't seem justified -- would probably be a good practice.
Thank You
I have been trying to impart this wisdom to my child. As I read, I know that your way of articulating it as an artist and writer will reach her in a way my dry science words cannot. Sharing with her immediately. Thank you.
I choose to give myself permission to say ‘thank you’ Mr Nash for my lovely Sunday morning read with coffee.