“To live deliberately on the edges of things, in active resistance to a world that places all its value on speed and productivity…It is a reminder that more than ever we need people willing to pause and listen, to open their hearts to what is uncomfortable, and to hold space and attention until the new thing emerges…Perhaps…if we keep practicing…we will hear whispers of a new beginning.”
~ Christine Valters Paintner, from “Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist”
Quote Source via Make Believe Boutique. Photo by Laura Malucchi titled Pause.
Live & Learn 
Beautiful 🙏🏻💚
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I love this and deep amidst this process right now, as I sold my home and all of the ‘busy work’ that goes with it, soon to buy a simpler, easier place to live. a block from the river, and a short walk to town. i plan to spend my extra time in ways that make me happy, and sometimes that is doing nothing and sometimes that is doing everything.
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Down shifting to less. Sounds wonderful Beth. Enjoy.
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“…to hold space and attention until the new thing emerges…Perhaps…if we keep practicing…we will hear whispers of a new beginning.” This….
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“This….” Right.
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Lori, Dale, Beth and others: This is a post we can all agree to wholeheartedly!!! 🙂
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Perhaps … if we keep practicing…we will hear whispers of a new beginning.” … and more. ~Christine Valters Paintner, from “Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist” …
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Yes to the whole quote you shared.
So much so.
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2 Thumbs up to you.
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If I am n ear an edge I will tumble over
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Ha!
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Part of this practice, unspoken in the quote, is acceptance and no judgment. To wait and be uncomfortable generates Stories that we must ignore. Listening for the whispers can get lost in the din.
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Great post 🙂
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…if we keep practicing…we will hear whispers of a new beginning – if only. THAT would be a great thing to happen.
I’ve never lived deliberately on the edges of things, no, I often wish I could live a bit less on those edges…. but I HAVE learned to listen (from time to time) to my inner voice, reminding me to go in slow(er) motion, to stand still and enjoy the moment and I even feel I’m doing a rather good job of it by now. It did however take a long time to develop into something ‘useful’, probably hovering for too long on the brink of total extinction (of myself). Also, there is a learning curve for everybody who has overdone ‘living’ – you either adapt to a slower and much more mindful life or you go over the edge. I’m very thankful for the new friends I find here who have been doing great ‘jobs’ of learning all of the above.
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Right here, here, this: “you either adapt to a slower and much more mindful life or you go over the edge.”
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