An Action Packed--and Contemplative--Memorial Day Weekend
If you want to live the dream, you have to figure out what the dream is first
The whole thing started with the Quakers. Specifically, the Pendle Hill congregation. About 2 years ago I signed up for one of their seminars and have stayed on their mailing list since. In their most recent mailing they listed an upcoming class: Transformation Stories: Altering Books and Awakening the Newest You - Pendle Hill - A Quaker study, retreat, and conference center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here’s the description:
“Step into the next chapter of your life with a newly recreated, interactive book to tell your transformation story! In this program, as we alter a book – from its physical structures to its narrative – we will contemplatively and creatively consider our life journeys, our next steps, and our spiritual leadings. “Transformation Stories” offers opportunities to draw, paint, collage, craft pop-ups and other architectural techniques, journal, and be creative in community.
“This course is especially relevant for those who wish to process a life change, honor an important memory, or seek vision. All are welcome – from those who are new to altering books to those with vast experience in the art form.”
Doesn’t that sound neat? Can I take it? I cannot, because I have regular Affordable Housing Trust meetings on the same night. But I thought maybe I could apply the principle of reflecting on one’s past and future, without the book altering because I truly don’t understand that part. So on Saturday morning, I sat down with my trusty notebook (used for meeting minutes, interview notes, reading/research notes, to do lists, etc) and made two lists: “Things I want in my second act” and “Things I want to lose.” Only one thing on either list really surprised me, and it was on the latter list: stuff. I have so much stuff. Probably just as well I can’t take that class because it would mean bringing another book into the house, and the door is only going to swing one way for books now—out.
I bagged up 30-year-old wool suits I’m never going to wear again. I briefly thought about saving them for the fabric but quickly came to my senses. I bagged up old shoes. I went through three envelopes of photos from 2002 and discarded most of them. Phil and I were so young! Those ones I kept. I haven’t really dug into the books yet but I’m gonna have a lot of empty shelf space when I’m done.
Along the lines of the “things I want” angle, I spent Sunday and Monday testing a new morning routine, one with yoga and writing/drawing in addition to the coffee. It’s all still a work in progress, but this morning I made a very, very bad digital drawing of some trees, meditated for five minutes, did a quick yoga flow with 30 sec plank at the end, and felt very pleased with myself.
I also finished the bodice of the dress I’m sewing:
And yesterday before we went to the symphony, my friend Marlene and I stopped in at a terrific print store, where I bought this deeply odd print.
Is it some sort of commentary on the apple and Eve and Jesus fish? Are they water nymphs looking up at a red sun? I think there are turtles and birds in there, too. Did someone drop an apple into a pond?
And yes, I know I brought something else into my house, but I decided I’m going with William Morris on this one: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”