This week, from Joan Didion's 1975 commencement speech at UC Riverside: "I'm not telling you to make the world better, because I don't think that progress is necessarily part of the package. I'm just telling you to live in it. Not just to endure it, not just to suffer it, not just to pass through it, but to live in it. To look at it. To try to get the picture. To live recklessly. To take chances. To make your own work and take pride in it. To seize the moment. And if you ask me why you should bother to do that, I could tell you that the grave's a fine and private place, but none I think do there embrace. Nor do they sing there, or write, or argue, or see the tidal bore on the Amazon, or touch their children. And that's what there is to do and get it while you can and good luck at it."
A few more, just because:
-Wild deer and a Brazilian cockatiel named Jack.
-Honey bourbon apple cider.
-Words from Pema Chödrön: "Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know."
-And lastly, here's an interview I did for a blog called Happy and Heartworking, which is about "finding out who we are and doing it on purpose."
More recommended reading, here. Have a wonderful Monday! Photos by Max Wanger.
Shoko, thank you SO much for agreeing to be interviewed and then providing such thoughtful and honest answers to my questions. It is such a pleasure to know you a bit better. I look forward to more conversations in comment boxes. :) xx
ReplyDeleteReally great interview at Happy and Heartworking! And it was very inspiring to someone considering a full-time freelance writing life. I related to many of your answers. Thanks, Shoko!
ReplyDeleteReally great interview at Happy and Heartworking! And it was very inspiring to someone considering a full-time freelance writing life. I related to many of your answers. Thanks, Shoko!
ReplyDeleteneeded that. thanks, Shoko :)
ReplyDeleteJoan Didion = Spot On
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that I've found your blog and read the interview! It's really inspiring. I'm in my early twenties and always have anxiety about figuring all out my career, life..etc. But I gradually realize that thinking too much isn't necessary, there's still a bunch of things wait for me to experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
Loved these links!
ReplyDeleteHelen, thanks so much again for having me!
ReplyDeleteSylvie, so good to hear — thank you!
Joy, so glad it found you :)
Brianna, as always!
Alison, I'm so glad, too — and excited for you! Thank you for reading.
Ahh how perfect are the words from pema - a great interview too, I think I'd also love to swap job's with a florist at least for one fun (or scary!) day :)
ReplyDeletethat is a great message.. to live.. we are so busy planning, preparing that we forget about the now, the living.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful note to start the week!
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone!
ReplyDeleteThat Pema Chodron really knows her stuff. And so do you! Loved your interview at Happy and Heartworking :-)
ReplyDeleteOh man, that really hit home. Thanks for sharing, Shoko! I'm so glad you're back!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteChristie, I'm so glad to be back!