Nature as teacher, not guru or idol
Micro-real life-practice Alice Walker—novelist, poet, and social activist, winner of the 1982 Pulitzer Prize for The Color Purple—was once asked how she stays true to herself. She answered, “Be more like nature—more accepting of your right to be who you are and to express yourself.” She continued, “I think of myself as a tree that […]
I Don’t Know What to Write
Micro-real life-practice I’ve been writing this blog for three years. Sometimes I don’t have a clue what my next blog will be about, so a loop of uncertainty begins and feeds itself. This is a familiar moment where uncomfortable feelings are present, and I want relief—I want the feelings to go away. But it builds […]
A Friend Passes, Kindness Lives On
Micro-real life-practice A few days ago, I attended a memorial for a neighbor and friend. He was an elderly man who lost his battle with cancer. We weren’t close, but we had many conversations over many years. At the memorial, his family and friends spoke about him, and what struck me was that all of […]
Time for you, but not you. A lesson in humility
Micro-real life-practice We all have busy lives, and I find myself rushing through my days more than I care to admit. On a recent trip to a gallery to pick up some artwork, a quick get-in-and-out was my plan. As I entered the gallery, I headed toward my sculptures. There was a woman standing there […]
Visitors in the Midnight Hour
Micro-real life-practice A few nights ago, I lay awake, my mind full of thoughts—mostly around money, a recurring theme when I’m challenged with large, unexpected expenses. Fear, frustration, anger, and self-judgment are the norm in these sleepless hours. I noticed what was happening. I welcomed the feelings and felt them in my body. “You are […]