Musings and Contributions
December 2009
I’ve been so fortunate. My reviews have appeared in The Internet Review of Books and The Feminist Review. But for now I’m too busy writing other projects to review books. I hope to get back to it in April.
Book Reviews
I’m so excited! I’ve been a reader my whole life, love books. Why didn’t I think about becoming a book reviewer before? So I’ve found a couple of sites that provide books to review, signed up, and I’m waiting for the books I chose to arrive in the mail. A new experience for me, with no long-term commitment. If I don’t have time, I just don’t ask for any books to be sent to me. We’ll see how it goes.
Celebrations
Collecting memories you want to hold close takes an active effort. Most times it’s easier to remember the pain than the pleasure, so it’s important to create the positive, making the most of life’s celebrations. Think about the memories you have stashed away; maybe the warmth of a fire on the beach, holding a child’s hand, playing tag with your golden retriever, tasting handmade Belgian chocolates, staying in bed on a cold and rainy day, or making a dream come true.
Some of my favorite memories are about the senses. On a recent cruise to Europe, I loved the time with no television, no cell phone reception, no email. The time without graphic news reports or hassles of daily living is an oasis of calm. I love the memory of being upstairs in our old farmhouse in Virginia, sitting by the window reading a well-written book and listening to the rain on the tin roof. Cuddling under a soft blanket, watching a mystery movie and falling asleep with someone you love warms the soul.
Do you have stories about your favorite memories? I’d like to hear them.
Sixty Words About Learning
I am constantly amazed at what happens when you take a step out, take a chance and set an action in motion. One step leads to another and another.
This year I’ve been working on beginner’s mind, being willing to do what I know nothing about and expect to be devastatingly awful at, maybe not even able to learn. As a child, I tried for six years to learn to play the piano. Even my mother gave up. In January I started guitar lessons, telling my teacher I might be hopeless. I am giddy that I am learning, slowly, but I am learning. I took an art class and passable paintings of mine hang in my home now. And If you want to converse in Spanish, give me about six months.
The only way to learn something new is to be willing to not know. I’m so glad I did. What will you learn this year? What are your ideas about beginner’s mind? Try saying it in sixty words.
Share your musings and send them to karynhall@karynhall.com.
