"The universal entry point to learning is the imagination," writes Scott Forrester, The Aware Athlete, page 226.
"Imagination has a power in childhood that it lacks in older years" writes Esme Weijun Wang in The Collected Schizophrenias, a collection of essays I am finding fascinating. She shares her experiences with imagination which are quite unusual.
What do you believe about imagination? I think I've always been afraid of my imagination, afraid it might somehow get me in trouble.
Seriously, what comes to mind when you think imagination?
I want you to tell me your very first thought!
Please reply to this email or go to website and leave a comment. And let me know if you don't hear from me after a couple of days because if I haven't gotten back to you, I haven't received your message and I need to talk to tech again! I'm trying to make it easy to reply and my tech genius is certain the bugs are fixed.
I am attending a FREE summit for writers:
http://www.villagewritingschool.com/agentsummit/ . Join me if you are a writer.
Thank you for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
CLUE: Many cold remedies are best taken the moment you think you are not feeling well. Do you have a supply of what works for you? Next time you are shopping, buy what you need so you will be prepared.
Image from 2016 proves we don't have as many geese this year.
Last post I asked a question: Does it make sense to set a goal and push yourself until you make it? Scott Forrester, The Aware Athlete, doesn't think so.
Two comments in the comment section will satisfy if you are curious about the subject and don't own this recommended book. I would love to hear more about how you stay fit.
See also comment section regarding my sore tooth.
Last week I made a plan with my dentist to have two crowns installed in my mouth on May 2. I use the word install to indicate the art installation aspect of this purchase. Buying fine art might not be as expensive. Luckily the teeth are side by side so the numbing shot will work for both. Wish me patience to make it through the ordeal. I am lucky there was no infection.
This week we have been entertaining family which has been a joy. Nothing like an almost two year old and an almost seven year old to bring life to your home. I'm thinking that I am almost seventy-four, but it feels a little different to say that!
CLUE: Tell someone how old you are and see how it feels.
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
Image is of a mosaic in Ephesus received several years ago.
Creating this post I remembered Sara Jisho, Zen priest who led a recent half-day meditation retreat I was privileged to attend, telling us: "I choose the subjects of my Dharma talks because they are what I need to learn."
I keep reading and writing posts about The Aware Athlete for the same reason: I need to be aware of my body and how I move.
Author Scott Forrester suggests that setting goals and then pushing as hard as we can to reach them is not the most efficient way to approach improving our fitness level.
Instead of telling you what he suggests does work, I'm going to ask you - what on earth is he talking about? Isn't that the way we were taught to get fit - set a goal and push yourself until you make it? Does this make sense to you? What other ways are there? How do you get fit? Please reply to this email or go to comments section.
CLUE: Buy or pick a flower. Put it where you can see it. Enjoy the beauty!
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
Image: I love these heart shaped leaves. Picture from last year.
I called the dentist. My default position for life (which I'm trying to modify): Let's get this settled and decided!
The dentist was on vacation but his partner could work me in. They would take X-rays and see what was going on. This wasn't ideal but fit with my default position, my need to know.
After multiple texts and emails from the office reminding me of the appointment, I show up. The X-rays polished off (pun intended), I begin the wait for the unknown dentist. And I wait.
I leave! This actually felt like a victory! I didn't have to have it settled and decided by knowing. I made an appointment for when my kind perfectionist dentist is back. It helped, of course, that my tooth wasn't hurting.
At home, I emailed Scott Forrester inquiring if he was the author of the poem found on Page 185 in The Aware Athlete. He promptly replied that he was. The poem is entitled: Not Knowing.
My favorite line: Knowing is an illusion, shutting doors. I really want to think about this line. Does it make sense to you? Do you ever rush to get things done and wish you would have taken more time weighing the options? How did you slow down enough to do this? Please help my process by letting me know!
CLUE: Do you know what you eat every day for breakfast? I bet you do! If it is always the same thing, eat something different for the next two days. Pretend like you are my dentist and on vacation! Let me know what you chow down on!
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
Image: Bangkok Buddha
