writing : blog
Today, my mailbox exploded–with color, texture, amazing creativity, brilliant hues, mindfulness, incredible thoughtfulness–art from readers of 37days who were assigned random essays to illustrate. Oh, my, what an incredibly generous group of people–and what artists! I am simply overwhelmed and so touched and amazed by the generosity of all of them. The diversity of the approaches and images is just…
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Sometimes we need reminders to make the most of our 37 days, don’t we? Several readers have asked about the 37days jewelry that I’ve posted here before–I had a few pieces made by a wonderful artist in Santa Fe for my older daughter, Emma. Sarah has agreed to make them for 37days readers, too. If you are interested in purchasing…
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Variation on a Theme By Rilke (The Book of Hours, Book I, Poem 1, Stanza 1) A certain day became a presence to me; there it was, confronting me — a sky, air, light: a being. And before it started to descend from the height of noon, it leaned over and struck my shoulder as if with the flat of…
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There is incredible, beautiful art flowing into my mailbox from around the world. The diversity of the creative spark that has gone into these works is just astounding to me. It’s clear from each one how much thought and mindfulness has informed them. I am humbled by this offering: truly, deeply humbled. You’ll see some of that art here after…
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DailyThese shriveled seeds we plant, corn kernel, dried bean, poke into loosened soil, cover over with measured fingertips These T-shirts we fold into perfect white squares These tortillas we slice and fry to crisp strips This rich egg scrambled in a gray clay bowl This bed whose covers I straighten smoothing edges till blue quilt fits brown blanket and nothing…
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"See, the human mind is kind of like a pinata. When it breaks open, there are a lot of surprises inside. Once you get the pinata perspective, you see that losing your mind can be a peak experience." -Jane Wagner
A Thanksgiving message as only dear, sweet Billy can provide, where moons are aspirin and you and I are living on a blue and white marble smelling oranges closeby. As If to Demonstrate an Eclipse I pick an orange from a wicker basket and place it on the table to represent the sun. Then down at the other end a…
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And no, that title isn’t a reference to overeating. In the U.S., today is Thanksgiving Day (and my friend Karrie Manson’s birthday, so a shout out to her for being so powerful that the nation stops when she ages). This year, I’m not spending Thanksgiving at a long table full of vegan alternatives to turkey, but hunched over a computer…
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The Art of Disappearing When they say Don’t I know you? say no. When they invite you to the party remember what parties are like before answering. Someone telling you in a loud voice they once wrote a poem. Greasy sausage balls on a paper plate. Then reply. If they say We should get together say why? It’s not that…
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Lost Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside youAre not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,Must ask permission to know it and be known.The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,I have made this place around you.If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.No two trees are the same…
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Patti Digh is the author of six books, including bestsellers Life is a Verb and Creative is a Verb. She travels the world teaching others about mindfulness: to live fully, love well, let go deeply, and make a difference. Patti's comments have appeared on PBS and in The New York Times, Fortune, the Wall Street Journal, the London Financial Times, and many other international publications. She writes a thank you note every morning.
