Wednesday, January 5, 2011

It is there.

Resolution: More of this., January 2011

I saw something yesterday. It was simple. A soft painterly image of a bird in flight accompanied by a few well chosen words. I have saved in my memory, the bird, and the specific words Time lost and found, shared as a much-needed read. The author tells us how the smallest adjustment can yield big change. She is clear. She is concise. Don't save it for later. Read it now. It's not long. It will make you feel good.

Thanks, Sheri.
Posted by Denise | Chez Danisse at 7:08 AM
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23 comments:

  1. CharJanuary 5, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    and i will...

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  2. kateJanuary 5, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    A great article. I fight myself and the world around me for those precious moments. Once you have them, you are so loathe to give them up, no matter who judges you.

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    i found an hour today:) did you?

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  4. mosey (kim)January 5, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    I read it (yesterday). Love it. (Love Anne Lamott too...) I'm carving out time for myself everyday, even if it's just a few minutes. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  5. Michele | Cooking At HomeJanuary 5, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    I have been trying very hard lately to carve out this quiet time. Reading your post today may be the inspiration I need to commit.

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  6. MiseJanuary 5, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    It's the great luxury: time, and time alone. Once it wasn't, but family life changed everything. I should have banked some of the long Sundays to fill. She's right.

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  7. Magnolia HandspunJanuary 5, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Nothing like a little time to rest and rejuvinate. I sit and knit in bed a half an hour before I fall a sleep at nite.

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  8. Denise | Chez DanisseJanuary 5, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    I hope you all found a little time for yourselves today. I haven't watched a sunset in a while. Today is the day (5:04pm). Enjoy your time.

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  9. Stacy G.January 5, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    Um... that was an awesome. I need to check that chick's other works out.

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  10. Through My Kitchen WindowJanuary 6, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    I chose to go to a funeral this morning. People that I think should have been there, didnt go. Too busy I guess. No time. She was 58. She was a devoted mother. Her house wasn't immaculate. She wouldnt have won any trophies for housecleaning. Today I listened to her children stand up with such pain and recount what a marvellous mother she was. She was always there for her kids. And for those in need. Her children will always remember her and I am certain that their kids will know what a marvellous grandmother they had. Although I hadn't seen her in years, I'm so glad I took the time to go. And my daughter came too. That's how I spent my morning and it was time very well spent indeed.

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  11. JoytiJanuary 6, 2011 at 3:19 AM

    Sounds like an interesting read.
    And the photograph, just amazing.

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  12. BethanyJanuary 6, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    Loved the article. Inspires me to take an English class just so that I can have a teacher just like her.

    I loved her journal idea... writing what brings you wonder. Usually I use my journal to vent about things I don't want anyone else to hear. This year, I think I'll try something new.

    Thanks for your thoughts and for sharing them with us.

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  13. Amelia PSJanuary 6, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Denise: wonderful inspiration. My favorite lines from the article:

    "creative expression, whether that means writing, dancing, bird-watching, or cooking, can give a person almost everything that he or she has been searching for: enlivenment, peace, meaning, and the incalculable wealth of time spent quietly in beauty."

    "Time is not free—that’s why it’s so precious and worth fighting for."

    "What fills us is real, sweet, dopey, funny life."

    Oh and I am so glad you directed me to two blogs I did not know of! Such treasures.

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  14. JanisJanuary 6, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    I trust your recommendation and I will read this. And yes, the blue heron has such presence. Mysterious, magical... Wishing you more sightings in 2011 -xo

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  15. ShaeJanuary 6, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    I have read this article by Anne Lamott and was happy to see it again. Did you know we live on the same street? Yep, me and Anne . . . sometimes she says hi while she's out walking her dogs. In the time since she moved to our street, I have tried especially hard not to geek when I see her. Once I almost ran over her with my cart at The Container Store. That would have been bad.

    Also, I just discovered that there is an amazing old and almost falling down horse stables within walking distance of my house. You never know what you will find when you choose a new street for your daily walk.

    Nice photo you took there. You know I like it. :-)

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  16. nadine paduartJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    there. i've just read it. it highly amused me, and confirms my belief that time really is out there, for the grabbing.
    i might have to dive into lamott now...
    cheers for the link.

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  17. Rachael LevyJanuary 8, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    Thank you for reminding me of that article; it's a good one, echoing some of Rilke's advice to a young poet ... "to build your life according to this necessity."

    I'm trying, but I worry sometimes that everything will come tumbling down if I place writing on top of my teetering tower of blocks. I have to keep reminding myself that lives are not breakable and everything and everyone will carry on if they're destined to, whether I write or not.

    (Rilke's entire quote can be found here: http://theslowcookedsentence.blogspot.com/2011/01/resolution.html)

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  18. RitvaJanuary 8, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    what a veiw!

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  19. Maria | Vintage SimpleJanuary 10, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    Yes: "the incalculable wealth of time spent quietly in beauty."

    Thank you. A good reminder.

    xoox,
    -maria

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  20. Anne MarieJanuary 13, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    I should have read this every day the last two weeks. Better late than never :-)

    Thank you for sharing!

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  21. RachelJanuary 13, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Thanks for sharing a brilliant read. So many things to consider, to implement in this life that is way too busy. And that one paragraph made Harry Chapin's 'Cat's in the Cradle' run through my head...

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  22. allisonJanuary 19, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    Wonderful, thank you for sharing this!

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  23. Elsa MayJanuary 21, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    ah... such a wise article and how very true...

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