It’s hard, I know.
Philosophy
Rules of Houseguesting
Dedicated to Chelsea and Patches.
Rule #1: Don’t hide your delight when your host offers you a morning brew using his homemade bike-art teapot warmer, fashioned out of gear chains, a hub thingy, and rubber tubes, with room for a little tealight candle in the center. Yes, it is as beautiful and amazing as it appears.
Rule #2: When no one expects it, do some spontaneous dishes. A houseguest pulled this on me one time and it’s become a favorite ritual of mine ever since. It (1) allows you to contribute to the home, (2) occupies your hands without interrupting a conversation, (3) lets you get cozy with the kitchen, and (4) guides the overall vibe toward generosity and warmth. This is a particularly useful rule for households of people under the age of 25, in which case there will always be dishes in the sink, and your hosts will be extra floored that you are willing to touch their dirty shit.
Rule #3: Abet adventure. When your hosts suggest setting out to find some branches for decorating their walls, make no attempt to disguise your goofy enthusiasm. Express your excitement for all manner of romps, forays, jaunts, and missions.
Rule #4: Pick thoughtful, fun-loving, generous, and all-around brilliant hosts. And you’re golden.
An All-Time Favorite
See y’all next week! Be well.
Beauty In The ‘Burbs
My friend Jeremiah recently reminded me of something important. It’s very easy, he said, to be cynical about the places we come from. It often takes real effort to view our home environments with appreciation.
This week I’m back in the suburbs of Sacramento, California, where I was raised. For a variety of environmental, social, and economic reasons, I’m not a fan of suburbs in general. But as Jem pointed out, no matter how ignominious our origins, they almost always include something of value. So this morning, while making breakfast and walking the dog, I took my camera along. Insta- fresh perspective.
Don’t Make It Happen; Let It Happen
The following is a true story.
After an hour-long stint at my father’s gym today, I showered, dressed, and made my way down the hallway, past the echoing pock of squash courts, toward the exit. On my right I noticed a room I had never entered before. The indoor basketball court. I peered through the glass window to see if it was empty. It was. I went in.
Growing up I played lots of organized sports, and basketball was one of them. I was, to put it kindly, not a strong player. I recall making a glorious jumpshot, once, from near the right boundary line. Other than that, my memories are mercifully hazy. Still, despite my lousiness, I know my way around a court, and this afternoon I decided to check out my free throw skills.
Happy New Year!
Sending so much love to each and every one of you. May the new year find you with a peaceful, joyful heart.
My list of resolutions is still in the works, mainly because I have very little idea what my 2009 life will look like in Spain. But I recently finished a book by Sakyam Mipham that helped remind me of the essence of good intention and resolve. With wisdom and simplicity, he writes,
How do we live from the stainless pure ground of basic goodness? How do we generate a compassionate heart in every encounter? How do we plant the flower of bodhichitta on the rock of a dark age? The quickest, most practical way to do this is to keep loosening our grip on ourselves [. . .] It all comes back to one of my favorite sayings: “If you want to be miserable, think about yourself. If you want to be happy, think of others.” This is how we bring enlightened mind down to earth.
Hoo. Think I’ll leave it at that!
Have a wonderful night, be safe, and DANCE a step for me, won’t you???
Kloncke 