I had the honor of hearing Jane Hirshfield speak last night at my university. I attended the small gathering with my graduate poetry workshop class. It was quite enjoyable and very relaxing. As some of you know, I am a grad student majoring in journalism, however this lovely poetry class is an elective this semester. It's my pride and joy for about four hours each Monday. Maybe I will share some of my poetry some time soon, we will see...She shared some thoughts on the relationship between Zen and poetry, and then read some work from other writers she admires. Of course, she also read us some of her own poetry which was fascinating. I left the reading thinking how lucky I was to see her and hear her that night. How many of us get to say they enjoyed a poetry reading from one of the most renowned poets out there. Not many I assume.
I know I sometimes fly off the handle, especially on Saturdays for those of you that know me well; however, I wanted to say that there are times in our lives when we just need to drop everything no matter what and breathe.
Breathe the air around us, and breathe in all the good things we have in our life. I challenge you to take a breather as I have suggested and think about the good that is within you and around you.
This week, focus on the good rather than the bad. If you're really motivated, try to do it all week. I'm looking forward to the point where I can do this all the time. It would be my pleasure.
Jane Hirshfield said at the very end of her reading, "...because I wanted more. That's a good place to end this, with my naked poem." She read us a very short poem which she is working on now, and it focused on wanting more and just being yourself; i.e. your naked self.
In the same way, this is where I want to end, with my deep breath and because I wanted more, more in life. More good than bad.
More fine things to come...
- Farah
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