I'm confident there'll be a lot of folks on the bell curve taking a nap after tomorrow's repast so this post - usually published the day before my birthday - is one day early. Because despite knowing how scintillating I can be, my best bon mots are no match for tryptophan shock. By hedging my bets, I'm hoping at least a few folks will read this prior to the big gorge.
What were some key things you learned between your last two birthdays? Year sixty nine - at least the first 364 days of it - was a rich year of learning for me.
* During and after the three day summer workshop entitled "Race And Rage" that I helped facilitate, I learned how fortunate I am having three people in my life who give me unconditional emotional support. Each stays fully present when I'm overcome; they avoid filling up the emotional space with words; none of the three ever tries to "fix" me.
* Over this past year, watching the good cheer of an old friend caring for a loved one has been a profound lesson for me in the power of grace.
* "The moral certainty of my rage must be met with humility about the limits of my knowledge". More than a few times, author Phil Klay's words have helped me back up from the reflexive despair I can sometimes feel reading or watching the news. Whose words have recently given you that kind of solace?
I'll be back on my birthday. Happy thanksgiving!
About Me
- Pat Barton
- My most recent single release - "My True North" - is now available on Bandcamp. Open my profile and click on "audio clip".
My key learning is that my husband can continue to surprise me, even in our retirement years. Jim has recently become a brilliant book discussion leader. I have begun to look at this man I have long loved, now with a deep, renewed admiration. Tryptophan shock? I had to look that one up, Pat. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! MN
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