Such good writing... a small excerpt that shows just how good and constantly getting better of a writer you are: "My lumbar pulses into overstretched gluteus pulling on too tight hamstrings tied to squeaky knees holding a pair of calves dense with strong tension." Loved this.
Also couldn't agree more on point of physical work being a mindfulness hack. As a knowledge worker, I spend much of my days on a keyboard. But when I'm in the kitchen or garden or helping with my hands, life feels slower, more full, more real. Physical work is not just a mindfulness hack, but a hack for a better life.
...total agreement...was so special to do physical labor and get money for it...made me want to bring my computer to the ocean and set it free...but then I couldn't write so begrudgingly i brought him back here to the back seat of a mother's day brunch...i guess both sides of the being have value...
Reflecting on "who" made us is an inward look that takes courage. There is guess work, and ultimately introspection. Self awareness. We are the sum of all of our parts, be they "body" or "ancestral". I loved that your awareness of your physical body led you to contemplate your grandpas, or ancestors. I'd like to think they would both be very proud of you. And would realize that you embody the best in both of them. A beautiful piece. ❤️
...thank you so much...it felt good to think about them both if even for just the cuts on my fingers...probably don't spend enough time in my ancestry...but cherishing it when i get it...
I thought of my dad while reading this and the many years he's worked in a ship yard and how his thumb was severed from his hand once while he was working. So much is sacrificed to hard labor that we miss out on who would probably be the best artists and poets. Lovely writing, I hope you are getting some rest now!
...made it through a full week and still almost all together!...the best/funniest part is apart from all the cuts, blisters. etc. was that my main injury came running too quickly across a crosswalk in boots (sprained my calf)...i have to imagine the art/poetry that would come out of a shipyard would no doubt be some of the best #$#%ing anything around...thanks so much for the kind thoughts and comment :)....
"Physical labor is a mindfulness hack." No truer or simpler words could be spoken. It's mind-bendingly surreal that there are gurus and a billion-dollar mindfulness industry when there have been gardens, dirt, wood, and hammers all along.
...there is a great "Nathan For You" episode where he spins an exercise movement out of a moving company...it feels good to move :)...thanks for reading this Rick!...
Excellent “My mind makes any pause in action a reflection on what is hurting me.” // “ I imagine we share the hurt of having never known each other.” // loved the ride of this piece, well done
...so sensory. Made me think how my relationship with physical pain has evolved from despising it as struggle to noticing it as a sign of being alive. It's like seeing footprints of work on my body, a proof that I've lived through "that")
Fis...you are the work.
...that's a lot of work...
it's easier to start if you just put one foote in front of the other.
...exactly...just like Christy Brown...
Such good writing... a small excerpt that shows just how good and constantly getting better of a writer you are: "My lumbar pulses into overstretched gluteus pulling on too tight hamstrings tied to squeaky knees holding a pair of calves dense with strong tension." Loved this.
Also couldn't agree more on point of physical work being a mindfulness hack. As a knowledge worker, I spend much of my days on a keyboard. But when I'm in the kitchen or garden or helping with my hands, life feels slower, more full, more real. Physical work is not just a mindfulness hack, but a hack for a better life.
...total agreement...was so special to do physical labor and get money for it...made me want to bring my computer to the ocean and set it free...but then I couldn't write so begrudgingly i brought him back here to the back seat of a mother's day brunch...i guess both sides of the being have value...
Beautiful. I weirdly want to feel physical pain now.
...i can vouch it works!!...
I finally get why people self-harm!!! makes weird sense.
"My mind feels better when my body hurts." A lovely meditation on pain.
...thanks brother...i had to do something with all of it :)...
this is what jumped out for me too.
Beautiful piece!
...thanks Michelle!!...
Reflecting on "who" made us is an inward look that takes courage. There is guess work, and ultimately introspection. Self awareness. We are the sum of all of our parts, be they "body" or "ancestral". I loved that your awareness of your physical body led you to contemplate your grandpas, or ancestors. I'd like to think they would both be very proud of you. And would realize that you embody the best in both of them. A beautiful piece. ❤️
...thank you so much...it felt good to think about them both if even for just the cuts on my fingers...probably don't spend enough time in my ancestry...but cherishing it when i get it...
I thought of my dad while reading this and the many years he's worked in a ship yard and how his thumb was severed from his hand once while he was working. So much is sacrificed to hard labor that we miss out on who would probably be the best artists and poets. Lovely writing, I hope you are getting some rest now!
...made it through a full week and still almost all together!...the best/funniest part is apart from all the cuts, blisters. etc. was that my main injury came running too quickly across a crosswalk in boots (sprained my calf)...i have to imagine the art/poetry that would come out of a shipyard would no doubt be some of the best #$#%ing anything around...thanks so much for the kind thoughts and comment :)....
TALKING TO OUR PARTS and PAINS. Yes, please!
Present in all my parts. Present in all my pains. I talk to the ouch.
“How do you do, numb shoulder?”
“What’s your name again, twisted pounding space, lower left back?”
There are places I haven’t touched in years touching me.
“Hey hairy, come here for a second.”
“When you’re not busy screwing around I want to talk to you.”
...if we avoid the pain it will only hurt is more!!...
Too true. Plus, Wired for avoiding pain. Gotta call an electrician…
...that would be an awesome career...human electrician...
"Physical labor is a mindfulness hack." No truer or simpler words could be spoken. It's mind-bendingly surreal that there are gurus and a billion-dollar mindfulness industry when there have been gardens, dirt, wood, and hammers all along.
...there is a great "Nathan For You" episode where he spins an exercise movement out of a moving company...it feels good to move :)...thanks for reading this Rick!...
Excellent “My mind makes any pause in action a reflection on what is hurting me.” // “ I imagine we share the hurt of having never known each other.” // loved the ride of this piece, well done
...thank you!!!...
...so sensory. Made me think how my relationship with physical pain has evolved from despising it as struggle to noticing it as a sign of being alive. It's like seeing footprints of work on my body, a proof that I've lived through "that")
...i love that analogy Anna...footprints of work on my body...amazing...