What would it be like, I wondered, to live with that heightened sensitivity to the lives given for ours? To consider the tree in the Kleenex, the algae in the toothpaste, the oaks in the floor, the grapes in the wine; to follow back the thread of life in everything and pay it respect? Once you start, it’s hard to stop, and you begin to feel yourself awash in gifts.
— Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and The Teachings of Plants (Milkweed Editions, September 16, 2013) (via acti-veg)
wow, incredibly thought-provoking
Agree!
Dizzying circles of guilt and gratitude..
Mimi, beautifully expressed! In my case though no guilt, just thankfulness!
Good for you, Kiki!! You have arrived at a place, where many would love to be (Me included)…
Mimi, just you wait to be my age and it comes naturally (or you‘ll be dead already! Lol)
It’s just a number – granted, an impressive one, but in my head I’m still in my late 30’s/40’s and when looking in the mirror, I’m reminded that I’m 68!!
Wow. You’ve described me to a T Mimi.
Fraternal twins separated at birth (figuratively speaking)…
Yes! I could be so lucky!
Awww – thank you!❤️
So true! And add distress and you have trifecta.
Dave, meaning? You had me at trifecta, looked it up but didn’t find anything helpful. Are you just mocking me? I no longer have any trigger points, just to let you know. I‘m so bloody cool, the next stage is freeze….
Trifectca means you win a horse race on three bets. Distress is related to political environment here. 😔
I understand (fully). Even I get distressed with YOUR political environment. I don‘t know how anybody can handle that…. I have Stephen Colbert and had Trevor Noah to inform me, now Trev has left the circus and Steve is not always available on YT, so maybe I shall be calmer in the future. Although I doubt it somehow.
Me too….
Right there with ya…
When I harvest some veggies I say a little thank you! It is truly awesome when we take the time…..
What a great little sutra Carolyn!
❤️
What a beautiful way of thinking. Just this morning I said: Thank you dishwasher for your work, although I admit that‘s not the same as thanking our food etc for what they are for and to us…. 🙂
I love Mimi‘s words – that is what it is: Dizzying with the amount of gratitude we are being offered…. A special thank you to the grapes which I will go shopping for right now (in form of lush Italian Red…) and all the rest of it 😉
Thank you Dishwasher for your work. Still Laughing!
Mimi is magic with comfort words and painting environments you can feel!
She is indeed. Oh how I love the English words…
Lovely, lovely musing(s).
Isn’t it though!?!?!
Yes — hers and your commenters’ and yours.
Wonderful commentary…how wondrous life can be midst the chaos. Love Kiki’s thanks to the dishwasher…and the grapes metamorphosed into red wine! Laughter is the best medicine…gratitude for whatever inspires it!
Right!
Love. Love. Love this book and this woman. Her words are gifts and remembrances to who we were and who who could be again.
So much wisdom and profound stories to remind us what we have misplaced along the way of “civilization”.
A wonderful wake up call my friend 💖
The book is on my list Val. And based on your recommendation, I need to move it up the list. Thank you. Dave
As if I needed another reason to pick this book up…
Maybe a 2023 goal? Keep me accountable.
New Year’s Resolution!!?!?
Right!
A wonderful collection, loved this book and all the wisdom and knowledge it shares.
Thanks Claire. I need to get this book. So many recommendations. Happy Holidays!
I remember I read it in a readalong in Dec 2021, reading 3 or 4 of the chapter/essays a week, it is a book that is best read over a longer period of time, though Dec not necessarily the best month!
OK! Thanks again!
Love the way this passage made me stop and think. Have heard from several people that it’s worth reading, albeit in digestible bites.
Yes. Same. On my list.