Weekly Zephyr #32: Serenity Now

January 03, 2018

Weekly Zephyr #32: January 4th, 2018

Elaine Jones, 3 Tundra, 2016

Current year: 2018

Current state (of the proprietor of the W.Z.):

earlier I had "bright and clear" here, which was true (and is true), but I just got word that a very dear person* passed away today,

so

bright and clear and somber

*Here's to Jack Freimann, who for decades was the heart and soul of Harper Joy Theater at Whitman College. He was my advisor and teacher and advocate and hilarious pal and just the best person, beloved by every damn person who ever met him.

   W.Z. #32: Stop 1

serenity prayer bones/muscles minus God and extra: serenity to accept things we cannot change courage to change things we can wisdom to know the difference

Classic for a reason. Things that work, even if they sound boring: water + sleep + nutrition + exercise + meditation + stopping to breathe properly DON'T KNOCK THESE THINGS OR OVERLOOK THEM OR RUN PAST THEM ON YOUR WAY TO FREAK OUT ABOUT OTHER THINGS // NOT THAT FREAKING OUT ABOUT OTHER THINGS ISN'T OKAY; IT'S OKAY // BUT WORRY & FEAR DON'T HANDLE ANYTHING

Above all and forever, I do not want needless suffering for us. The regular amount will be fine. So let's do the things that eliminate needless suffering this year.

Take the action that fits into today re: the thing you're freaking out about And then put it down. PUT IT DOWN. Do those basic self-care things DO THEM DO THEM GODDAMN IT

W.Z. #32: Stop 2

                  

You don't need to be an actor to enjoy reading this book.

-Tina, why do you put so many things in this newsletter that are related to acting? Most of us aren't actors. -It's where I came from, can't help it.
Also: acting training is good for becoming an alert, responsive human being in your own body. Also the lessons of all the arts are transferable. Everything everywhere is transferable. That's how metaphors came to live with us.

I can't find my copy/the exact passage, but this concept burned itself into my brain:  If you're watching another actor perform and they seem to be about on your level, skill-wise, they're actually more skilled than you are. If they seem to be not quite as skilled as you are, that's probably about where you are, skill-wise. If they seem more skilled than you are, they are immeasurably more skilled.

d'oh! applicable to writers, chefs, chiropractors (?) i don't know, maybe everyone

  THIS SEEMS UNFORTUNATE BUT IT'S REALLY JUST YOSHI OIDA'S WAY OF SAYING STOP WORRYING ABOUT YOUR EGO AND GET TO WORK.

TRY THIS EXERCISE to feel your place in nature/your orientation to the earth and sky and to get into your body and out of your head:

This is the bit:

But if you're like TINA OVER MY DEAD BODY AM I GOING TO MOVE UP AND DOWN PRETENDING I'M A BAG OF WATER then do this:

             Do them every day. 40 a side.

W.Z. #32: Stop 3

W.Z. #32 Stop 4

sure a bomb cyclone blizzard is coming to the east coast and mount st. helens is thinking about blowing up again on the west coast and we've got a couple of lunatics talking about their special apocalypse buttons but try this ginger & turmeric honey bomb it's real weird/fun to make/great-if-strong-tasting/only causes a HEALTH EXPLOSION and if you want whatever turmeric has to offer YOU WILL GET IT

    In closing: Let's take 'er easy and take care like this thoughtful, squatting fellow Be easy with our minds, take care of the bodies. This thing is a marathon. We need each other. We're trying to last.