I want to talk about happiness and well-being, about those rare, unexpected moments when the voice in your head goes silent and you feel at one with the world. I want to talk about the early June weather, about harmony and blissful repose, about robins and yellow finches and bluebirds darting past the green leaves of trees.
I want to talk about the benefits of sleep, about the pleasures of food and alcohol, about what happens to your mind when you step into the light of the two o’clock sun and feel the warm embrace of air around your body.
— Paul Auster, (1947-2024) from “The Brooklyn Follies“
Notes:
- Thursday Posts inspired by Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.
- Portrait: The Guardian
Paul Auster sounds like the guy I‘d like to have a chat with. Or possibly have that chat over a meal together. I also thought he was English or possibly French…. Life is an ongoing education!
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div dir=”ltr”>Yes. Me too Kiki. Unfortunately he died
I know. But one of the ‚always‘ questions is ‚with whom, dead or alive‘ would you like to have dinner with…. I read the Guardians (UK US AU) but miss naturally a lot. So you help me always to be informed ‚up to a point‘! Thanks
🙂 Yes!
Love the post. Also love the portrait.
These words resonate with me more than I would care to admit. But here I am, admitting it.
Thanks, David
Then I go back and read the quote that is always at the bottom of your posts:
Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.”
I love this quote, and then I wonder…
Why am I not more skilled at taking things lightly? After all, I have been trying to master this skill for about 35 years. I suspect I will be trying to master it for the rest of my life.
Well… It’s a good goal!
Many many years ago, I heard the quote. (can’t remember where): “unachievable goals make good guidelines.”
PS: Dave… It occurs to me that you must have the ability to read at the speed of light… If not faster! 🙃
“Why am I not more skilled at taking things lightly?” me too Paul. Me too!
Me too, Paul. Me too.
We love Paul Auster’s texts, especially ‘Moonshine Palace’.
Thanks for choosing this quote
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Oooh. Added to my wish list!
☺️
I must admit, I’d rather be quiet and be with these things rather than talk about them.
Thanks for saying this Val. I agree 100%. For me, “maximum peace of mind“ happens while I am meditating.
yes, me too. this sounds like such a lovely thing to do/way to be.
He was an incredibly gifted writer – and this quote reflects that talent…good choice
Agree with you Mimi.
Having a positive attitude is harder all the time when I look at our world situation, but sometimes, just for a while, it’s good to turn off the TV and look out my window at my backyard birds and my garden (weeds and all). This Paul fellow had the right idea.
Totally agree Anneli. Turn the tube off leads to a better frame of mind.
It does. Sometimes I can’t sleep for thinking of the mess the world is in, and turning off the TV really helps get my head on straight again.
Can we just sit in silence and watch the world go by?
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div dir=”ltr”>Oh yes, the pleasure of th
Yes!