“What I'm ____________” Wednesday, The First
What you can expect from what I write on Wednesdays...for now...with special thanks to the 15 of you who signed up on day 1 to get these via email!
Ok, so this is the third in an introductory week-long (I think?) series as I explore some different constructs for keeping content delivery fresh. I know I could just do what I have been doing on Facebook, amped up a little, and maybe I’ll go back to that…but for now I want to try to have a different framework for talking about whatever it is, depending on the day of the week.
So the “What I’m ____________” Wednesday will be (at least for now), me talking about what I’m thinking, reading, watching , listening to, wearing, or whatever. It’s just a different kind of catch-all for what was often called “Midweek Musings” on Facebook.
Anyhow, today is going to be a “What I’m Reading” Wednesday…at the beginning of the pandemic someone suggested I read Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday. It did not disappoint as it was a very well-timed suggestion, giving me some insights into the value of and techniques for what I call “self-stilling”—definitely things that were of particular immediate value in a world seemingly gone mad. It led to me picking up Holiday’s The Daily Stoic, because even though I had no idea how long things would be upside down for, I did have the sneaking suspicion that a daily check in with stillness wouldn’t be a bad thing, couldn’t be a bad thing. So I read that regularly, but admittedly not 7 days a week. I keep the book on my home office desk, and that’s a room I tend not to venture into on weekends. Plus my mind is pretty still and I feel pretty grounded as a rule on weekends. So I’ll start each Monday off reading three entries, which leaves me feeling super-powered for the week.
I’m really down with the wisdom of the stoics. Maybe it’s a genetic predisposition; my late amazing grandmother Springy was a strong Lithuanian and a self-proclaimed stoic. Who knows? But in any case I really like the idea of everything I need being contained within me, though there are those inevitable times when I’m at the mercy of the Universe and it feels like the world is giving me a beating. And while I’m not looking for praise or accolades, I occasionally grow weary of being the sole source of affirmation. But I soldier on, happier more days than not, satisfied most days, and grateful all days. So there’s that. Stillness is key for me, because it allows me to center myself in gratitude.
Today’s entry is an especially interesting one to read in a time of isolation and insulation, conditions that have been thrust upon us, that we would probably never choose, and likely could never have imagined 8 months ago. But what I have learned from these books is it’s all about my response…I can respond with anger…frustration…self-pity…or I can focus on fueling my inner social animals, digging deep, and finding meaningful ways to feel good and stay connected—for friendship, fellowship, self-preservation…
What this means for me today is this…busting out a martini glass and making myself a new bourbon cocktail for a late afternoon virtual happy hour and then rolling into a drive-by from a friend from out of town who is here to visit her elderly parents…when I’ll be heading out back wrapped up in that XL outdoor blanket from LL Bean that I treated myself to for precisely these moments—outdoors, cold, dark, socially distant—yet together, connected.
I highly recommend both books if you’re looking for something to center you and leave you feeling a bit more in control in a society that’s running a bit, well, amok. (I also recommend the blanket!)
Have you read either of these books? If so what did you think? Got any good book recos for me? (I have plenty of space between the top of my stack of “to-read” books and the ceiling, so bring the titles on.) How are you feeding your inner social animal? I was thinking earlier this week that I’m buying so many books and other sundries from Amazon as well as beer from local breweries with regularity pretty much because it’s the only free will I’m able to exercise these days. And I’m perfectly ok with that…because what else can I do?
(Let me know what you think so far. Tweaks to approach/style? Topic requests? Let me know directly or by posting a comment below. Thanks!)
Just catching up...first thank you so much for sharing. I think this is great. I needed fresh reading material recommendations so I am looking forward to these books. Reading out of order, I very much connected with your "Tuesday: Transformation" and appreciate the reminder to get back to my daily journal. Cheers & Peace.
I was told yesterday that I’ve been miserable since March and I have soent some time thinking about that so today’s post is speaking to me. I have a hold on Stillness is the Key on Libby. Thanks Nicky!