July 08, 2010
24 weeks: Learning to rest
Self-portrait, 24 weeks, Canon Digital Rebel XSi
As part of my commitment to Dream Lab this summer, I have been taking my sabbath time really seriously. By sabbath, I don't mean a traditional religious sabbath, but more a conscious practice of rest, of turning off the gadgets, of getting outside, of crawling into bed when my body needs it. I have been taking the opportunity of this pregnancy to rest more, to play more and to have a real summer. It has been an enormous gift. I didn't realize the deficit of fun I was experiencing until I consciously stopped, got off the treadmill, and heard what my spirit needed most. (Turns out what I needed most was to play, to see friends, to share meals with people I love)
"Our culture invariably supposes that action and accomplishment is better than rest, that doing something--anything--is better than doing nothing. Because of our desire to succeed, to meet these ever-growing expectations, we do not rest. Because we do not rest, we lose our way. We miss the compass points that would show us where to go, we bypass the nourishment that would give us succor. We miss the quiet that would give us wisdom. We miss the joy and love born of effortless delight. Poisoned by this hypnotic belief that good things come only through unceasing determination and tireless effort, we can never truly rest. And for want of rest, our lives are in danger."
-Wayne Muller, from his gorgeous book Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives
I will be leaving in a couple of days for my annual Lovebomb trip to the Oregon coast. I can't think of a better place for rest and play than the beach... And if you are in Dream Lab, Jen and I will be sending transmissions from there!
erfect*
erfect, Brooklyn, NY, photo by Matthea Harvey
I got the above photo and this email from my friend Matthea Harvey today... It was, in a word, erfect.
"I came across this sign in Brooklyn, walking home one day, and since then, have been striving for "erfect" instead of "perfect."
July 06, 2010
I Believe She's Amazing
This video is part of an incredible project called I Believe She's Amazing. You can read more here and add someone you love to the list of amazing women you know. You might need Kleenex for this one.
June 30, 2010
the beauty of imperfection*
Recently, while watching the live stream of the TEDx Houston conference (I had hoped to catch my friend Brene Brown but she had already done her talk) I came across the architect Dan Phillips. If you haven't heard of him already, you can fall in love with him in the above video.
He makes the most extraordinary and artful homes out of repurposed materials (stuff headed for the landfill, burn pile or salvage) He can make cathedral ceilings out of discarded picture frame corners, floors out of old wine corks and walls out of shattered mirrors. He also insists that the family he builds a home for helps in the actual construction process. I love that beauty and artistry are not sacrificed at all in this process, but imperfections are highlighted and celebrated.
One of the things he said in his talk that I can't get out of my mind is this: (I'm paraphrasing) "If you have one cracked tile, it's a flaw. If you have several pieces of cracked tile, you have a pattern."
This thought/principle about design makes me exceedingly happy.
It also reminds me of something I (think) I read in Gretchen Rubin's book, The Happiness Project
Perfect is something we often strive for, but in the end it is hardly more beautiful or wonderful than the imperfect way of real. The gaps in the front teeth, the vulnerable and tender heart that feels hurt, the way that Ben calls blimps "plumps" and we refuse to correct him.
Think of all the ways you love the imperfections today. Maybe not in yourself (that's the graduate level seminar) but perhaps in others, in your home, in the artful world around you.
June 29, 2010
A long summer of butt jokes
Ben, Colorado, Canon Digital Rebel XSi
Just returned from a very summery time visiting my sister and her family in Colorado! I've been taking the Dream Lab class to heart--playing, resting and trying to be kind to myself. It must be working! (Matt and I even had a silly string fight last week, which I seriously recommend.)
Just after landing back at SFO, we were all waiting on the tarmac to be let out of the plane. The plane was completely silent, everyone a little impatient to get to their destination.
Ben suddenly announces loudly: I LOVE my daddy! I LOVE my dada!
(I could see people's faces relax into an oh-what-a-lovely-boy-type expression.
Ben: And I love YOU mama!
Me: Thanks Ben...
(more smiles on people's faces)
Ben: And I LOVE LOVE butt! I love to eat butt!!!
Me: Okay Ben, that's enough. That's enough.
Blissed out expressions of passengers turn to either expressions of surprise or peals of laughter.
The butt thing is big in our house these days. I'm assuming it's like a 3 year old developmental milestone? One the pediatrician never told us about? I have a feeling this is a long phase. ;)
