I have been looking at the various labels on my sidebar. Here are the top ten:
1. Writing
2. Life and Stuff
3. M.E.
4. Reasons to be Cheerful
5. Creativity
6. Food
7. How to Live
8. The Signs
9. Poetry
10. Process
Interesting (to me) that Writing is number one, though perhaps not surprising. When I am not writing, it is always what I want to be coming back to. And even if too ill to be doing much, I love thinking and reading about it, and talking about it with others who are on a writing path of one kind or another. When I began this blog, five years ago, I was having a gap year from teaching creative writing. The gap turned into something more permanent even though I had accepted a post to teach at a university, and even though I loved doing what I did. Still, the fact of not teaching any more has not diminished my interest in in creative language, process - and people. There are so many ways, hidden and manifest, to be and think creatively, even if (particularly if?) one finds oneself on a path that is not of one's choosing.
I have a small window of time each day when it feels possible to attend to something that is properly creative. I have been liking the word 'properly' recently, as you might have noticed. I think what I mean by 'properly' here is: with my whole heart. But also with enough vital forces at my disposal for me to be able to put my heart into whatever it is. And actually, I only have this window on a good day.
On new year's eve we threw the coins, as we always do. The I Ching says I have to "inquire of the Oracle again" to see if I possess "sublimity, constancy and perseverance." I think I can tick the last two. Full marks for constancy and perseverance, and I don't need the Oracle to pronounce on that. As for sublimity - posterity will tell. Or not, as the case may be. Perhaps I will throw the coins again after all, to get a sneak preview.
**
5 comments:
Not sure what sublimity is but I suspect you have it along with the others. A new year begins and it's back to the writing again, suited to the dark, the howling winds. Wishing you a year of windows.
(o)
Oh. My. God.
Pardon the expletive up there, but it is Epiphany as I come to see you, and do you know what the word ver is?
Wait for it…
kings.
Kings, oh Rumpole of Signskin. I think this is
a) auspicious enough to counteract anything the Oracle might have said/have to say in the future (I sometimes get the feeling that he has a really wicked and sly sense of humour, you know, and perhaps as he and thee are acquaintances of many moons, he feels he can let loose upon you like he cannot on more flippant or new followers?), and
b) a "properly" auspicious Sign for the rest of the year in this Fair Household of Princelings (aka your blog and your life, ja?) and furthermore
c) a piece of unquestionable proof of your sublimity (i.e. the condition of being
"a : lofty, grand, or exalted in thought, expression, or manner
b : of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth
c : tending to inspire awe usually because of elevated quality (as of beauty, nobility, or grandeur) or transcendent excellence" - Merriam Webster Dictionary, at dictionaryonline.com)
As I rest my case in awe of the sublimity of everything, I also wish you beautiful things of deep eudaimonic happiness this year. Yes, I've learnt a new word recently, and am too childish to keep that under my hat.
x
Write on.
An auspicious year to you too, Wendy - I feel certain that it will be.
Anna I think they employ a special set of 'watchers' at Word Ver Central. They know about what we do - and think.
Epiphanic mwahs in your direction.
Zhoen, will do.
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