Within and without, I am one and many…
Sensuousness… what’s your take on it? A rainy day in the mountains, in (what feels like) the depth of winter. As I finish the weekly errands, I long for a warm room, a seat by the window looking out into the grey sky and shadows of the nature around , a steaming cup of coffee… Continue reading Sensuousness…daily.
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi How does one bring to another's attention their unhelpful behaviours? I don’t mean “bad” behaviour. There is no judgment here from a position of authority or expertise. It is a deduction of possibilities, a perspective or insight which I hope to bring. What… Continue reading Just being helpful?
Letting go of the need for attention, appreciation and approval. Freedom. The key word is “need”. Everyone enjoys attention, appreciation and approval. I know I do. But it is not for them that I do what I do. I hope it is not because of them that I am who I am. Within me is… Continue reading Let go…?
Someone asked what kept me going. And it took a while to explain the process to myself and to put labels to the actions and emotions which accompanied me. I used to have goals, clear and bold hovering ahead of me. Goals I was determined to attain. These goals loomed large, reminding me of their… Continue reading Is this right for now?
Mellow vibes for this weekend... ~ FlorenceT
For the weekend, read or listen... let the words seep into you. Hokusai says, by Roger Keyes Hokusai says look carefully. He says pay attention, notice. He says keep looking, stay curious. He says there is no end to seeing He says look forward to getting old. He says keep changing, you just get… Continue reading Hokusai says… let life live through you
Hold this lightly as we meet each other... a modern translation of a 14th century poem by Sufi poet, Hafiz. Admit something: Everyone you see, you say to them “Love Me” Of course you do not do this out loud, otherwise someone would call the cops. Still, though, think about this, this great pull… Continue reading Admit something – a poem
I do not watch horror movies; I shield my eyes in critical moments in a suspense thriller. (No, I'm not missing the “excitement” at all!) Where possible, I choose not to engage in conflict. I have created a peaceful space in my home and in my life in general. I live a relatively simple life.… Continue reading Can we bear it?
Those who have ever assembled a piece of IKEA furniture know this: the instruction manual makes sense, and it doesn’t. It doesn’t make sense because we do not understand how this step can lead to the next, and ultimately becomes that piece of furniture we saw in the catalogue or showroom. It doesn’t make sense… Continue reading Life according to IKEA
There will be time, there will be time To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet; There will be time to murder and create, And time for all the works and days of hands That lift and drop a question on your plate; Time for you and time for me, And… Continue reading There will be time
Love his soulful voice... https://youtu.be/KrirWrwNri8 ~ FlorenceT
Is it hesitation or is it careful consideration? Is it “being nice” or is it “being fearful”? Is it doubt or merely kindness? Is it being in my power or is it being mean? There was a myriad of emotions which presented these last few weeks from these questions. And when the resolution arrived, it… Continue reading Pragmatic hope
She cried again. Over the time that had passed. Of the years she lost to her duties. Of the years she abandoned for fear. Sorrow etched her brow. She can only feel the tightening in her chest. She can only hear echoes of how she used to be. Submerged in this grief she cannot… Continue reading Will she smile?
If we were not so single-minded about keeping our lives moving, and for once could do nothing, perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness of never understanding ourselves and of threatening ourselves with death. Perhaps the earth can teach us as when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive. ~ Pablo Neruda,… Continue reading Keeping Quiet
This autumn - why am I growing old? bird disappearing among clouds. ~ Basho Matsuo An apt poem to begin this post - a reflection of sorts on 50 years of life. But how to measure this time past? An impossibility - so many perspectives, paradigms. Where would I begin? So perhaps lessons I have… Continue reading Lessons by 50
Now that we are required to stay home, how are you feeling? How are you experiencing this global phenomenon? Remember when you couldn’t wait to get home from work? Are you now feeling “stuck at home”? Is it a little like when you felt “stuck at work” then? What makes you experience joy or suffering?… Continue reading How is your now?
What a fortnight this has been... while I have had the privilege of working from home for some time now, the intense preparation for the work-from-home measures at my workplace has left me tired, sombre and contemplative. As news of international travel bans, airlines implementing severe reduction in domestic flights, and borders closing were broadcast,… Continue reading The heart of the matter
The threat of COVID-19 and the recent fires and floods have reinforced upon me that life is simple, or it ought to be. Our daily fears of losing material things, reputation, status, and popularity pale into insignificance, compared to these life threatening events. As news of the impact of the virus continues to headline the… Continue reading Simply let go
KPop sensation BTS released their album "Map of the Soul: 7" recently to international acclaim; the theme of this album addresses light and shadow of our existence. And listening to the songs I re-acquaint myself with the Jungian concepts of "light and shadow". It has been a while since I studied them. It has been… Continue reading Shadow, and will you be happy?
I had the pleasure of discussing the soon-to-be released (17 Mar) book Victorine, with its author, Drema Drudge. In this interview published in LitWorldInterviews, Drema provides insights into the life of a female artist in 19th century Paris. Victorine Meurent was Édouard Manet’s self-professed favorite model, and an artist in her own right, with paintings… Continue reading #Interview with author of “Victorine” 19th century artist and model
