of life in its many forms.
She is afraid of how she'll present in a crowd and to anyone - will she falter, will she seem stupid, will she know the best way to be. And she is fearful of what will happen as her mind tells her stories of worst outcomes of any situation. What if she can't cope? What… Continue reading Stories told
I am not a physically active person, preferring the comforts of a cozy armchair and a good book. Yet there are still a lot of movements and actions in my life, as a friend reminded me. I was conditioned to strive, to be effortful. A moment of rest deemed wasteful. The do-er in me conditioned… Continue reading Movements and stillness
I understand enough Mandarin, for it to serve me in my travels. So perhaps it is understanding what the lyrics mean that drew me to this song. Perhaps it is the poignant melody. Or both. The unofficial translation of the poetic Mandarin lyrics does not do it justice, yet it is the closest I could… Continue reading An ordinary path
“You’ve got a nice set-up here,” he said walking in. “Yes, I do spend quite a bit of time here, so it’s got to be comfortable,” I said. He gently touched the ornaments displayed, reading the spines of books which caught his attention. It is not often we get these relaxed times together, a sense… Continue reading These things
The real test is that your truth should be good for yourself… So don’t play the missionary… Let other people belong to themselves and look after their own improvement… If they are really satisfied, then nobody should disturb them. If they are not satisfied with what they possess, they will probably seek something better… ~… Continue reading Belonging to themselves
What does it actually mean, for you or another? Perhaps this poem resonates? sometimes I love you means I want to love you sometimes I love you means I'll stay a little while longer sometimes I love you means I'm not sure how to leave sometimes I love you means I have nowhere else to… Continue reading “I love you”
Advancing, retreating... ebb and flow. Filling, emptying... replenishing and relinquishing. Deconstructing and reconstructing. This is how life is. Sometimes we are aware of this dynamic process, but often we are just living our daily lives, filled with busy events and tasks. Particularly during this pandemic, things seem a little repetitive and predictable. Sometimes we pay… Continue reading We are arriving
Today... letting it unfold, letting it go, letting it be... To not cling to plans, obsolete even as they are made. Stop...life goes on. ~ FlorenceT © 2020 FlorenceT Copyright reserved. The author asserts her moral and legal rights over this work.
I am neglecting her. And with this, attendant guilt. Not all the time, just enough to elevate the stress level. I do not believe that I must attend to her all the time, consistently and regularly. But I’d started out with this intention. And the habit had been long ingrained until recently. A new interest… Continue reading Which to honor?
Music, poetry, and books - all these have held me and continue to do so during these weird times, which are feeling strangely normal. I have long felt the value of artistic expressions and productions. Art has brought a certain gladness, many smiles and a sense of connection to something far greater than I. There… Continue reading What good is art?
There you are Thriving yet again, When you’ve been ripped Transplanted to another world, You’ve stayed silent But only for a while. Not content merely to live In the wind and rain You’ve danced merrily Wherever you are As if to say Watch me rise! There you are. ~ FlorenceT © 2020 FlorenceT Copyright reserved.… Continue reading There you are
So I've been thinking... (it's a dangerous thing 🙂 ) That loving is an art. It is a form of doing and not a science. And how does one approach this art? To excel in art, we begin with the acquiring of knowledge (ie. know-how) then we practice it such that it becomes second nature… Continue reading Loving as art
Is what we do meaningful? Do we do things because we believe them to be meaningful, or do we find meaning after we have done them? During my teenage years, I was entranced with Hong Kong entertainer, Leslie Cheung - award-wining singer and actor, songwriter and music producer. One of his films, Farewell, My Concubine… Continue reading Meaning in hindsight?
Simple. Always write simply. And not a rule I have followed lately, on this blog. Write to be understood. Perhaps this has not been the purpose. I write for many reasons; sorting out my thoughts is one of them. Reader understanding becomes secondary. I am not saying this is the attitude to adopt when writing… Continue reading A thought, a commitment
This poem by Korean poet, Jeong Hyeonjong <정현종> appears in his 2009 anthology, Island <섬>. A Visitor <방문객> To have a visitor is indeed a matter of gravity. For he brings with him his past present plus his future. Brings with him his whole life. Brings with him his heart vulnerable as can be as… Continue reading A Visitor, poem by Jeong Hyeonjong
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
