"When the tangle of the daily has us forget how precious life is, we tend to keep what matters from what needs to be done. Somewhere in the press of our day, in the press of a conflict that we won't let go of, in the press of a fear that makes us forget the deeper order of things - suddenly there's this shift and we make what matters a reward for getting to the end of trouble. But trouble never ends. It comes and goes like clouds. That is why what matters needs to come first." (Nepo)
I wonder if Mark Nepo knows how often he slaps me in the head with his words. Recently, I've begun to reverse the priority of things. What matters comes first. The "tangle of the daily" comes after. You might be wondering what this looks like....an often empty refrigerator, a pile of ironing waiting for attention, a hike before working, a snuggle before errands, chowder with my sister before art deadlines, a long phone call with a dear one instead of sleep, painting past meal times, porch sitting in the sun. You get the idea. The resulting mind shift is flabbergasting. True, I don't get as much stuff done. The old stuff, that is. Instead, I get this other stuff, the stuff that matters, fully completed and stuffed in my joy pockets until the task list isn't even on my mind. For you, dear reader, this might be easy and done every day. For me, the one who always focused on "getting to the end of trouble" before sitting in the preciousness of life, this is monumental. I'll stay here awhile. You know where to find me. :)
11 Comments
Carl Stoveland
11/7/2019 10:54:18 am
That there is the key lesson. It takes a long time to master, but it’s a biggie if you want to spend your time happy.
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jen
11/7/2019 10:57:53 am
Carl! I am so focused on this. I greatly desire it to become second nature. It sounds like you may have some experience with this?
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Carl Stoveland
11/7/2019 05:43:59 pm
Yes indeedy. Life’s too short to put off the things you value. So watch that sunset have that ice cream. The other stuff will get done when it needs to.
Christopher R.
11/7/2019 11:30:17 am
Rest easy little ones, Santa will bring you all of the things.
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jen
11/7/2019 01:28:51 pm
Christopher!!!!! It is delightful to "see" you here. :) Thank you muchly for your kind comments and respect. Another gem for the joy pocket.
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11/7/2019 04:50:12 pm
Jen, you've outJenned yourself with your wild painting pivot in tandem your penetrating resonant reflections. I have just LOVED the gift of your parsing out the nuggets offered up by Nepo. They could not be taken in except with tremendous space and time between offerings. I am so grateful that you can honor that need for spaciousness; if I were to pick up The One Life without you as my guide, my own book gobbling nature might have me miss what my heart knows and needs to know front and center when it forgets.
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jen
11/7/2019 05:47:52 pm
Dotty! OutJenned! ha ha! Love that. And knowing you are also a book gobbler. Thank you for your encouragement and support, and for understanding the space and time needed fo Nepo offerings. xo
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Carolyn Laudati
11/7/2019 08:35:23 pm
Not only are these paintings delightful and fun, you have smacked me up side the head (again). The wisdom of Nepo is truly remarkable, and your words, mixed with his, has me pining for that sense of peace and longing for what matters most.... xoxo my friend!
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jen
11/8/2019 10:45:18 am
Carolyn! I've been thinking about you as I look at photos of Ireland. :) That Nepo and his head smacking is a catalyst for our pursuit of the things that matter. Whoa.
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11/9/2019 04:03:17 am
Oh how I wish I was a book gobbler! Reader has been on the back burner. Wish my copy was hard copy and not on my kindle. Have to learn to highlight. I have printed out the quote and also pasted it on desktop. So much on my "plate". Have to just put it aside for my important stuff. get the paints out! The "plate" isn't going anywhere.
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jen
11/9/2019 10:30:33 am
Carol! Get the paints out!!!! YES! The plate will wait. Delighted that you enjoyed the quote...and wishing you magical highlighting mojo on your Kindle!
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