A Word I Never Heard

 

I was quite taken with this post on Facebook. I have never heard the word sonder, but I definitely have felt it before. In fact, I would venture to say that 2024 has been all about sonder. If all the trials I’ve been put through showed me anything, it’s that we are all dealing with a lot in any given moment. It’s nonsense to think anyone can escape it. I just know I’ve had a huge awakening as to the depth of it all, and it does make a difference. It keeps it real, rather than falling back on platitudes. There is more to it than words can describe. And I think it’s why I like this new word.

As a side note, autocorrect wants to change sonder to “wonder.”  I like wonder as much as anyone. But sonder is just as important, if not more so. If nothing else, sonder and wonder keep us from falling into existential angst. And every day we avoid that is a win in my book.

Here’s a short video about SONDER 

Impermanence Everywhere

 

Words standing out to me today keep pointing to the impermanence of everything.

From Mary Oliver:

All things are meltable and replaceable. Not at this moment, but soon enough.

From David Whyte:

the vanishing point of the sun 

extinguishing time forever

I feel I’m floating in a sea of clouds, ever-changing sky, one second here, next one gone.

If this is supposed to be stabilizing, it sure doesn’t feel that way.

Or have I once again been turned away from faith, trust, and joy?

There’s a question for today. 

ADDENDUM

I got home from work and found this in my Facebook memories:

I don’t think it needs a comment from me.  

Guiding Principles

 I have been a fan of Jean Shinoda Bolen since I read Goddesses in Everywoman in 1994. She has been my companion through aging, with such books as Crossing to Avalon (about midlife) and Goddesses in Older Women. Today I completed a short volume for people in my age group: Crones Don’t Whine.

This book really came through at the end, when she played on the four guiding principles of life by anthropologist Angeles Arrien:

1. Show up

2. Pay attention

3. Speak your truth

4. Don’t be attached to outcome

Bolen changed this a little bit, and it’s definitely a good reminder for me these days:

1. Show up

2. Pay attention

3. Speak your truth

4. Pray for best outcome

Her reasoning for changing the last one fits with my belief: we don’t know exactly what ours or anyone else’s journeys are. All we can do is live and love the best way possible. 

In the final part she added this question for living as well: I wonder what is going to happen next?

As I head into work today, and the week ahead I am taking this question with me. 

Only Mystery

 Today I ran across the quote by Federico Garcia-Lorca:

“Only mystery allows us to live, only mystery.”

I decided to use it for an acrostic poem. (I do this to find out what I’m really thinking.)

On this Sunday, since you are

Not rushing anywhere,

Listening deeply to the messages because

You know you are living a

Mystery you didn’t bargain for

Yet, what good would it do to have known?

Some days will always be better than others

Trust in the Universal Tone, your soul response.

Energize yourself to positive actions.

Remember in each and every moment

You will never be left without a way. 

Then I went looking for a mystery song, and recalled a favorite album from 1996 by Mickey Hart called Mystery Box.  I went on a search for a song with lyrics that fit and I found this chorus:

Depend on the wind

The distant drums

We’ll know the next step

When it comes

This week as chemotherapy begins, I need to remember…just take the next right step. 

Word Play

 This year I want to be more focused on WORDS -- vocabulary, roots, prefixes, suffixes, commonly confused words, and of course, parts of speech that elude so many of my learners.

Much to my surprise, without any prompting from me, my learners have taken on wordle type games. We are using a website called WordPlay that has unlimited wordle style games. It has become the favorite way to end the class periods, especially in the afternoon.

I doubt this would have been as successful if I had tried to impose this on them. As it is, they have a lot to learn about figuring out the puzzles. I gently prod them along, but sometimes leave it to them. All in all, most puzzles have been getting solved.

I am grateful for this technology which has made this simple thing possible -- a class builder and a learning opportunity disguised as fun.

2021 Wrap-Up (7 Lines/7 Days #85)

 

#108Weeks

 

December 26, 2021 - January 1, 2022
 

As I did last year, I'm including my musings on some favorites of the year, and my focus for the coming year.

I’ve had a wonderful final week of the year, full of time with friends and setting the best direction for myself. This time has been healing.

 

I’ve heard this quote a million times, but this week it hit me deep inside as a message I need to embrace: “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)

 

My favorite books published in 2021: The Lost Apothecary and Ground Zero

 

My favorite albums released in 2021: Blessings and Miracles by Santana; Wary + Strange by Amythyst Kiah; and Renewal by Billy Strings.

 

My word for 2022 is FAITH.  My guiding concept is WILD JOY. My question is WHO BENEFITS?

 

My motivational song for the new year is "Blow Away" by George Harrison

 

My Native American Medicine for 2022 is Dog which stands for Loyalty, Service, and Remaining True to My Personal Truth.

Perfect! 😊

 

 

 

Casting My Faith (7 Lines/7 Days #77)

 #108Weeks

 October 31-November 6, 2021

 

 The only thing I know is that I don't know

Obstacles will come like waves -- keep coming and coming -- you must learn to surf with unshakeable peace

The most beautiful form of courage is to be happy (Jeanne Lohmann)

Don't quit before the miracle

Beauty is the target -- spread joy or be destroyed

All my young readers are created in God's image, too. Little Godlings

I cast my faith forward as a light on my path

Illumination (7 Lines/7 Days #43)

 #108Weeks

March 7-13, 2021

With gratitude, optimism becomes sustainable.

Find a photo. Think of a song that goes with it. Share.

I've been teaching for 17 years and it has never been more clear to me that it's all about WORDS.

It has been a year since the whole world closed in on us.

Jim's headache got unbelievably bad and we spent 6 hours at the ER.

Being forced to finally take a day off, I discovered a sub who loves my classes. I've lined her up for two more days off. YIPPEE.

Spring break has begun!

(The opening quote is from Stephen Pollan, father-in-law of Michael J. Fox, 

found in his book No Time Like the Future.)