Little Rituals
April 6, 2010
4/6/10
10 - 6 = 4
10 - 4 = 6
6 + 4 = 10
Habits, small rituals, hidden comforts. I have two small calendars at work that sit on the counter, so I can see them well. One shows a book-a-day. If a book catches my fancy, I’ll first check the library. If it’s not there, I’ll put it in my holding file—an imaginary file, more like a pile of paper tidbits that needs sorting through. The other calendar is much smaller, more intimate, a page of Eastern wisdom for each day. The larger book-a-day calendar has the date more clearly visible, and it is the habit of the boss that has me now looking at the date a little closer—the numbers—in the way he views them. He sees the patterns and sometimes when a certain date is upon us, he says we wont have this one for at least ten more years.
Today is a day that is divisible by two; the subtraction and addition of the numbers expresses today. I’m not a numbers person, but I’m always open to finding little ways—little portals—into the vast array of ways to enter into a space, into another’s world for just a few moments. I am fascinated by how many different ways there are to approach the world and I will always continue adding a dash here, a sprinkle there, to my little suitcase of amazements—the little things. I’m especially still in awe everyday my mind is taken to the fact that all those wonderful planets out there are spinning and held in space. No rational explanations will take away my ability to still be in the mind of wonder and curiosity. I am forever mesmerized by this beautiful and mysterious world we live in.
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About Rebbecca
I love to write, to express, to explore. Mostly I journal; and if something moves me, I try to capture it in a poem. I live in the East Bay; enjoy reading, writing, cooking; being in nature; walking; and riding my bike.
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Rebbecca’s Favorite Books
Demian, Siddhartha, The death of Ivan Ilyich, Barrabbas, Being Peace, Writing Down the Bones
Rebbecca is a fan of
So much
There are so many poetic possibilities in this post, Rebbecca. I love the idea of your “little suitcase of amazements.” And “little portals into the vast array of ways to enter into a space” begs to become a short story. I think too few people observe and take pleasure in the minutiae of their lives. Recognizing one’s own habits is a wonderful writer’s skill and one I’ve noticed you use wisely.
My own desk calendar/date book is several years old, a spiral-bound Leonardo model which I can’t bear to lose (and is sadly no longer made) so I create fresh date pages as the years go on. Occasionally I’m off by a day --- once a whole week! --- but Leo is worth the effort.
Ah, Mara, your words are
Ah, Mara, your words are like little nudges that make me feel as though I'm right where I should be and to continue developing. I really enjoy your insights into my process and the observations that you make. They are so valuable to me.
Your Leonardo calendar must be a beauty! In an artist's world, though: Being off by a week--just another beautiful day, unless of course you have an appointment...:)
Lovely post.
Yes, Mara's critique is right on target. I too especially enjoyed the quotes from your writing that she wrote of. And I loved your last sentence: I am forever mesmerized by this beautiful and mysterious world we live in.
Thank you, Sue. I'm so glad
Thank you, Sue. I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. It's nice to get into a writing flow, and when I sat at the computer that morning, I really sat there blank and then I flashed on the date--and just went with it. As usual, I get the heebie-jeebies before I post, but then I kiss it off.I must say also, another thought that occurred to me regarding my speech venture, is that writing in general, but specifically allowing myself to share here at RR has helped tremendously in that fear because each time I put myself out there in writing, it is like stepping up to the podium, nerves and all. I will keep your words close by me though...Thank you again for that.