Caretake This Motherf*cking Moment
For today, an offering: a poem from almost a couple thousand years ago to help us all find stillness on this swiftly moving planet.
I have too many topics to write about, and my thinking is muddy today. I needed to go walking today, and I needed to think more before I hit “publish” on any one of my scattered and rambling drafts.
I want to write about power circles, writing practices, journaling, recipes, the magic of the mail, podcasts, the digital divide, kids, storytelling, freelance writing for douchebags, cynicism, social media, figuring out your best time of day for creativity, unpaid brain rent, doing family history/archives work, digital preservation, daylight savings time, the importance of poetry, and mindfulness.
Ooooh, that last one, that is what I need today. I need to find stillness. And so, for today’s post, I’m going to leave with you with a poem I was introduced to while being introduced to a magical experience called MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.) You can read more about my experience here.
This poem, read aloud to a group of us by a tiny, wonderful lady-wizard, has been my grounding point when I need it. It’s written by a Stoic philosopher named Epictetus. I encourage you to read more about this fascinating character if you’re interested. https://www.ancient.eu/Epictetus/
As for me, after I read this poem again, for the umpteenth time, I’m going to go meditate. And, if you would like to let me know if anything in that list piques your interest enough to have a chat about, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Caretake This Moment
Caretake this moment.
Immerse yourself in its particulars.
Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed.
Quit the evasions.
Stop giving yourself needless trouble.
It is time to really live; to fully inhabit the situation you happen to be in now.
You are not some disinterested bystander.
Exert yourself.
When your doors are shut and your room is dark you are not alone.
The will of nature is within you as your natural genius is within.
Listen to its importunings.
Follow its directives.
As concerns the art of living, the material is your own life.
No great thing is created suddenly.
There must be time.
Give your best and always be kind.
by Epictetus 50 -135 CE
Are you caring for kids? Check out my resource guide on mindfulness for them.
