THINK AND DO
by Rob Padgett, from You Never Know © Coffee House Press, 2001.
I always have to be doing something, accomplishing some-
thing, fixing something, going somewhere, feeling purposeful,
useful, competent - even coughing, as I just did, gives me the
satisfaction of having "just cleared something up." The phone
bill arrives and minutes later I've written the check. The world
starts to go to war and I shout, "Hey, wait a second, let's think
about this!" and they lay down their arms and ruminate. Now
they are frozen in postures of thought, like Rodin's statue, the
one outside Philosophy Hall at Columbia. His accomplish-
ments are muscular. How could a guy with such big muscles be
thinking so much? It gives you the idea that he's worked all his
life to get those muscles, and now he has no use for them. It
makes him pensive, sober, even depressed sometimes, and
because his range of motion is nil, he cannot leap down from
the pedestal and attend classes in Philosophy Hall. I am so
lucky to be elastic! I am so happy to be able to think of the
word elastic! I am so happy to be able to think of the
word elastic, and have it snap me back to underwear, which
reminds me: I have to do the laundry soon.
God gives every bird his worm,
but He does not throw it into the nest. P. D. James
Follow your enthusiasm.
It's something I've always believed in.
Find those parts of your life you enjoy the most.
Do what you enjoy doing. Jim Henson
Soul doesn't pour into life automatically.
It requires our skill and attention. Thomas Moore
The soul should always stand ajar,
ready to welcome the ecstatic experience. Emily Dickenson
Tour Kyoto gardens - read translations of Rumi - manage investments - add to our granddaughter's life - keep a web journal - photograph for fun - meditate in the mornings - learn something new everyday - live in the now - love this universe - plant purple - quote cowgirls and Buddha - go on a road trip - imagine a new world community - contribute to peace - elect a woman - laugh every day - set up rainwater collection - cook veggie repasts - listen to meanings - cheer a friend - plan a date - relax the rules - grow in depth - exercise a bit - dance in the rain - ignore d'feet - smile and say "yes" - build on friendships - cherish a love - create a water feature - slow down - paint a mural - shout for joy - question men in skirts - volunteer for Taniguchi Garden - tend the garden - get a voice coach - collect votive stones - take back America - organize closet - walk in a park - sing Twinkle, Twinkle - design some space - visit family - do a scrapbook - sew some fabric - lunch with son - teach a class - count my blessings - live in Ireland - never complain again - live simply - trust my intuition - bake some cookies - dance in the rain - sleep better - talk to smart women - backup hard drive - get a new passport - be centered/quiet - make smaller ecological footprint - do 64 things in Austin - oh, and...
There are only two things in life you really want to do.
One is to be useful. The other is to make a difference. Doug Hall
If you hear a voice within you say, 'You are not a painter,'
then by all means paint
and that voice will be silenced. Vincent Van Gogh
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground. Rumi
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
Live the life you have imagined. Henry David Thoreau
Life is for most of us one long postponement. Henry Miller
The most important thing one woman can do for another is
to illuminate and expand her sense of actual possibilities.
Adrienne Rich
64 Things at 64
...to do besides lie down and listen to the crabgrass grow
Tell me,
tell me if anything
got finished.
Leonardo da Vinci
Archives
