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failed faces

 

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some times,  just takes a lot of looking.  Storm sky has moved UP to where it belongs

 

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i wanted to take her totally away.  But that would not be Right.  I wanted then to cover her UP,  but no,  that would not be right.

all day.

then,  just some simple lines.  This is Good.  yes.  ok.

Brain Pickings,  Maria Popova   Google it

Grace Paley on Aging

Paley writes:

My father had decided to teach me to grow old.  I said OK.

My father wanted to begin as soon as possible.  […]

Please sit down, he said.  Be patient.

The main thing is this….when you get up in the morning, you must take your heart in your two hands.  You must do this every morning.

This is a metaphor, right?

Metaphor? NO, no, you can do this.  In the morning do a few little exercises for the joints, not too much.  Then put your hands like a cup over and under the heart.  Under the breast.  He said tactfully,  it's probably easier if you are a man.  Then talk softly, don't yell.  Under your ribs, push a little.  When you wake up you must do this massage.  I mean pat,  stroke a little,  don't be ashamed.  Very likely no one will be watching.  Then you must talk to your heart.

Talk?  What?

Say anything,  but be respectful.  Say…maybe say,  Heart,  little Heart,  beat softly but never forget your job,  the blood.  You can whisper, also,  Remember, remember"

 

 

 

 

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16 responses to “Heart”

  1. Mo Crow Avatar

    the eyes looking out from the shelter is just right & I really like seeing the stories in your “failed faces”!
    oh Paley’s writing on aging is so beautiful, I will start doing this quiet holding of my heart every morning in the shower as I wake up before the first coffee

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  2. Nancy Krampf Avatar
    Nancy Krampf

    your magnificent faces are filled with understanding
    the hidden one in shrouds takes my breath away.
    namaste, and may the force be with you 🙂

    Like

  3. .cynthia Avatar
    .cynthia

    oh to se her there, observant, sheltered
    gentle day grace

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  4. jude Avatar

    i like the top failed one

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  5. beth Avatar

    little heart…

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  6. saskia Avatar

    shelter is really very much okay, sheltering
    re the heart-to-heart (haha) i immediately wanted to try this out and not wait till tomorrow morning: the cup was difficult (not that my breasts are large or anything, just ‘in the way’), however i just clasped my hands together, only to discover i was praying…..so hey, here we go, pray each morning or meditate i guess
    excellent advice, so thank you

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  7. grace Avatar

    that a father would want to pass this to his daughter…how
    so tender and elegant, i love the words of it…plain
    and so filled with Light

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  8. grace Avatar

    yes, Nancy…may the force be with Us All

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  9. grace Avatar

    yes…
    observant, watching.
    yes.
    such a gentle day back to you, to Us

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  10. grace Avatar

    i do too. a lot.

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  11. grace Avatar

    isn’t that the BEST?….
    little heart
    these words could not have been more perfect
    little heart

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  12. grace Avatar

    try again…
    the cupping, it’s really for the little heart
    that must work so hard
    try again. i think it’s different than prayer or meditation,
    just some kind of communication with the body self, with the
    little heart that beats, that pulses

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  13. dee Avatar

    i learned this way: place two hands over the heart center (which is slightly more centered than the heart itself) and open to the warmth there, sometimes saying, “I give myself unconditional love. For healing, heightening, and nurturance.” Definitely a holding. Thanks for reminding me (yet again) of a practice!

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  14. grace Avatar

    this was her father speaking….i have a feeling that it was
    a practice that he came upon himself, from Inside himself…

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  15. dee Avatar

    I see now. I forget who came up with the one I was taught. Maybe Richard Moss? It doesn’t really matter. Except if it was a man, he probably trademarked it (ha!).

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