Compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.
Tenzin Gyatso
14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Keats' Love Letters to Fanny Brawne
It was on this day in 1819 that John Keats (books by this author) wrote one of his most famous lines: "I love you the more in that I believe you have liked me for my own sake and for nothing else. I have met with women whom I really think would like to be married to a Poem and to be given away by a Novel." It was part of letter to his beloved Fanny Brawne, a letter that began.
"My sweet Girl—Your Letter gave me more delight than any thing in the world but yourself could do; indeed I am almost astonished that any absent one should have that luxurious power over my senses which I feel. Even when I am not thinking of you I receive your influence and a tenderer nature stealing upon me. All my thoughts, my unhappiest days and nights have I find not at all cured me of my love of Beauty, but made it so intense that I am miserable that you are not with me: or rather breathe in that dull sort of patience that cannot be called Life."
It was one of the earliest of his famous letters to Fanny Brawne, though the two had met almost a year before, in the autumn of 1818. Keats was in love with another woman, Isabella Jones, at the time, but by late spring of 1819, he'd become devoted to Fanny Brawne.
The two became secretly engaged, but never married, and Keats died of tuberculosis a year and a half later, at the age of 25. She lived for another 45 years after his death. Keats' now-famous love letters to her were unknown until 1878, when they were first published — more than half a century after he wrote them.
"My sweet Girl—Your Letter gave me more delight than any thing in the world but yourself could do; indeed I am almost astonished that any absent one should have that luxurious power over my senses which I feel. Even when I am not thinking of you I receive your influence and a tenderer nature stealing upon me. All my thoughts, my unhappiest days and nights have I find not at all cured me of my love of Beauty, but made it so intense that I am miserable that you are not with me: or rather breathe in that dull sort of patience that cannot be called Life."
It was one of the earliest of his famous letters to Fanny Brawne, though the two had met almost a year before, in the autumn of 1818. Keats was in love with another woman, Isabella Jones, at the time, but by late spring of 1819, he'd become devoted to Fanny Brawne.
The two became secretly engaged, but never married, and Keats died of tuberculosis a year and a half later, at the age of 25. She lived for another 45 years after his death. Keats' now-famous love letters to her were unknown until 1878, when they were first published — more than half a century after he wrote them.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Sizzlin' Weather
The 5th of July brings heat, heat and more heat! You might say, the heat's ON!
For sure. Tonight Sweetie Sue and I went for our evening stroll and took the following pictures. Nothing special to report, so I'll sign off and hope you enjoy the pix!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy Independence Day
What more befitting of "Independence Day" then this quote from Writer's Almanac:
On this day in 1845, 27-year-old Henry David Thoreau (books by this author) moved into his cabin near Walden Pond, a mile and a half from Concord, on some land that belonged to his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson. In exchange for rent, Thoreau worked on the land, clearing away brush and planting trees. He planted two and a half acres, mostly with beans — scholars estimate that Thoreau planted 24,750 bean plants by hand the first year, hoeing them from 5 in the morning until noon each day. He spent 26 months there, keeping a journal of his thoughts, activities, and observations. Years later, in 1854, he published Walden, or Life in the Woods, based on his notebooks from those years.
I've always admired Thoreau. From the time we were introduced (when I was about 15, in high school) to now, I think of him as one of my mentors. He lived life on his terms, & I greatly admire that quality in a person. Once, I walked around Walden Pond and felt the vibes of freedom and independence in-the-air. Maybe it was just my imagnation, but I felt a kindship with the man who lived there so many years ago. We both value liberty and living life to the fullest.
This morning, as I awoke, I had thoughts of folks I've known throughout my life who are no longer with us here on Earth. Why, such a macabre thought, I don't know. But I thought of Soupy Sales, Paul Newman, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe, J.D. Salinger (whom I dearly wanted to meet and, probably, could've during one of my many trips to Cornish, New Hampshire), Marlon Brando, Charlie Chaplin, Erik Kunsel, Gene Barry (spoke at one of my classes at UCLA, won a Tony Award for La Cage aux Folles--now, gone--and so many others. Why I'm thinking of all these dead people, I'll never know.
Maybe a sense of time gone by. Going by. Gone forever. A sense of my own mortality, on the dawn of my Mom turning 92 next month and bitterly complaining about her life as it is, and, even, was; feeling angry, bitter, regretful and unsettled about the state of her health, her emotions, outlook, friends and family. What more is there?
Erik Erikson developed the "Seven Stages of Life" and said that, in our older years, we either feel "generativity" (meaning fulfilled or, at least, somewhat satisfied with our lives) or "regret."I can strongly say my Mother feels total regret. Not for having 3 daughters but for just about everything else. And, that trickles down to me, her youngest, and I feel bad, too--for her and for myself (somtimes.)
Then at times like those and on holidays, like today, when I'm alone, again, I try not to shine the light on those dark thoghts and solitary nights. I try to focus on the good, the healthy, the sublime. Like my pup and kits. My health, close friends and people who matter to me. Life is good. Celebrate!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
A Healing Blessing
~ A Healing Blessing ~
"May you be surrounded in comfort.
May you be filled with love.
May you feel the healing presence of those who hold you in their thoughts and prayers.
May these positive thoughts and blessings provide you with strength.
May you be sustained in health as you continue your healing journey.
May you relax.
May you be calm.
May you be serene.
May you rest as your body heals in your safe cocoon of comfort, love and strength.
May your body be transformed into one filled with love, happiness, joy and health.
May you continue to heal
moment by moment
hour by hour
day by day
knowing that so many love you and wait to welcome you.
May you feel loved.
May you be safe.
May you be protected.
May you be strong.
May you be healed. "
Pilgrim
Lyrics by ENYA
Pilgrim, how you journey
On the road you chose
To find out why the winds die
And where the stories go.
All days come from one day
All days come from one day
That much you must know,
You cannot change what's over
But only where you go.
One way leads to diamonds,
One way leads to gold,
One way leads to gold,
Another leads you only
To everything you're told.
In your heart you wonder
Which of these is true;
The road that leads to nowhere,
The road that leads to you.
Will you find the answer
In all you say and do?
Will you find the answer
In you?
Each heart is a pilgrim,
Each one wants to know
The reason why the winds die
And where the stories go.
Pilgrim, in your journey
You may travel far,
You may travel far,
For pilgrim it's a long way
To find out who you are...
Pilgrim, it's a long way
To find out who you are...
Pilgrim, it's a long way
To find out who you are...
Thursday, July 1, 2010
With Mindful Eyes Wide Open
We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.
Jawaharlal Nehru, 1889-1964
Indian Statesman and Prime Minister
In reading this quote it reminds me of all the folks I've spent time with who aren't really here, connecting with me with purpose, intention and meaning. It saddens my heart, as time is our most precious commodity. Friendships a close second.
So, when two friends can't be present because of worries, anxieties, preocupied minds and hearts, it's a most unfortunate situation. One may have good physical healthy, but if one's mind is racing 100 miles an hour, thinking of this, that and the other and otherwise, what Buddhists call, engaged in "monkey mind" then they're really not present at all. And what good is getting together?
Perhaps so that one of the friends can set a good example of slowing down. Speaking slowly, eating slowly, maintaining eye contact while talking, speaking thoughtfully and sincerely are all ways we can connect better. But, it's getting rarer and rarer that two people can establish and maintain this kind of connection.
Whenever I'm with someone who isn't all there, I feel more agitated myself. My heart rate increases and I feel more tense, uptight and distracted. That's no fun. When the other person is calm, collected and centered, I feel refreshed, more myself and engaged, interested and alive. Just last week I had a sample of a disconnected encounter and then, yesterday, a most connected, happy visit with a woman who is surely to be admired. For, she not only keeps a lovely, clutter-free, light, airey home, but she is warm and friendly the minute one walks across her threshold--physically and spiritually--and, therefore, a real pleasure to be around!
Slow down. Breathe. Stop and smell the roses. You only go around once.
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