Terrell, Bird by Bird is truly one of my favorite books. I find myself opening it up at least once a week not only for her wisdom but for a laugh. I just think Anne's hilarious. Thank you for sharing this today. I resonated deeply with your words and Anne Helen Petersen. Hope your week is off to a great start.
"Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird." My brother and I use that quote on one another more often than should be allowed. It's a beautiful, remarkable book and what gave me the push to finally think it was okay to "try" writing for myself. As for as the Anne Petersen piece (thanks for putting that on my radar)--I signed up to do the Camino de Santiago--all 500 miles of it--on my own. Being in nature--whether it's running or walking 22 miles, day after day--that's how I tend my personal acre.
Thanks for this commentary, Terrell. Bird by Bird helped me get through my PhD dissertation 20-plus years ago and I had the pleasure of hearing Anne speak in Dallas. I’m getting pretty old now, and this reminder to take care of myself and go one step at a time is most welcome.
It sounds like a great read and I will look into it. As a pretty introverted introvert, I work on myself a lot. I stop on my way to work and park for about 30 min to pray. Then I take my lunch hour alone and read my Bible and pray more.
My wife and I are empty nesters as well. She goes to visit her dad, overnight, once a week. He only lives about 20 miles away, but it has been good for them both. So that is my evening alone. Then I have a men’s group another night so she gets her night to do what she wants - that usually means dinner with a friend because she is an extrovert.
I am really discouraged right now. I made it to Day 81 of my streak yesterday. But since I had a half on Sun, my knee has been acting up. So I will mostly likely have to end my streak if I cannot make it out after work. I have only been doing 1 mile runs this week, very slow. But I have some pain and a little swelling. I have never had knee issues before and have only been running regularly for a little over 7 years. So that part of my “me time” may get put on hold.
Thank you for your continued work in keeping us informed, encouraged and enlightened.
Absolutely love this, Terrell! Thanks, as ever, for sharing your reflections. I read Bird by Bird nearly four years ago, and it's stayed me ever since. I also really love her ted talk on life & writing, and keep returning to it every couple of months as a reminder to stay true to my writing and show up even when it feels too difficult. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X41iulkRqZU
Running's been going great! My first marathon is less than four weeks away... I'm equal parts anxious and excited, but trying to enjoy the journey and take it mile by mile.
A friend of mine who knew I wanted to write, gave me Bird by Bird as a gift. He brought to my desk at work and gave it to me amid all the other things that had nothing to do with writing. I needed a lot more practice at making choices and spending time with myself in order to be able to write but I've never forgotten that gift and how it seemed to communicate faith in me, and possibility. I still have that copy, marked up and reread for years now.
And thank you for linking to Anne Helen Petersen's essay. It's wonderful. I didn't know about her.
Beautiful. I'm always trying to find the right balance between tending to my own garden & ensuring those around me are tending to theirs. Running, eating right, sleeping enough, saying "no" are my methods for self care. Saying "yes", offering a helping hand, being there when someone need you are how I know to look after others. Life's about balance & I'm always trying to keep the scales even.
Terrell, this is fantastic reflection. Bird by bird is one of my favorite books, I picked it up late last year too and was instantly hooked with Lamott's analogies and images. This book is so comforting and yummy for neurotic writers like me
Bird by Bird. . . an interesting title. Had to look it up, though got fascinated by the artwork on the Christian Book you mentioned. . . If you've ever been at a gallery or an Art Museum that features Renaissance Art, you'd be fascinated. So much depth that doesn't come across in print. . . but I digress.
Found the take on the emotional acre new. In Hinduism, it is called--or at least what I learned---a Golden Bubble or Golden Egg of Protection. You create it around yourself every day, easiest to do while meditating.
I like the concept of a whole acre. . . that is a lot of land if you are familiar with open land! Mine would be filled with birds ,trees, trails to run, a view and a cozy home. I do like the idea of being able to throw people out--seems they always want to move in with crazy ideas. I am getting better at throwing! One day, that acre will be mine---that's all. That's what is call freedom and when I am happiest.
Rainy day. . . looks like spring, but the wind sure is cold! Rain/snow predicted. May or may not get out. I've procrastinated long enough that book work and cleaning are calling my name! :)
Can you define yourself in about a dozen words? The temptation is to do it in terms of what you do, not who you are. Then define who you want to be. Next, how will you will close the gap. That’s where you will find your acre.
Terrell this is great. I carve out that emotional acre by cross country skiing with my dog. Running alone or with my dog. Reading and streaming books daily. If I don’t tend to it, my noxious weeds creep into others’ yards. I have an awareness of when that happens and really, lack of sleep is a biggie. I say that as I’m on my phone late typing this in the night. I do need to focus on getting more sleep since it seems key to me in keeping my emotional acre well tended. I also think part of emotional tending is to just not do anything. That’s tough for me. I’m always doing something. Good reminders here. Thanks again for your amazing topic.
Terrell, Bird by Bird is truly one of my favorite books. I find myself opening it up at least once a week not only for her wisdom but for a laugh. I just think Anne's hilarious. Thank you for sharing this today. I resonated deeply with your words and Anne Helen Petersen. Hope your week is off to a great start.
"Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird." My brother and I use that quote on one another more often than should be allowed. It's a beautiful, remarkable book and what gave me the push to finally think it was okay to "try" writing for myself. As for as the Anne Petersen piece (thanks for putting that on my radar)--I signed up to do the Camino de Santiago--all 500 miles of it--on my own. Being in nature--whether it's running or walking 22 miles, day after day--that's how I tend my personal acre.
Thanks for this commentary, Terrell. Bird by Bird helped me get through my PhD dissertation 20-plus years ago and I had the pleasure of hearing Anne speak in Dallas. I’m getting pretty old now, and this reminder to take care of myself and go one step at a time is most welcome.
It sounds like a great read and I will look into it. As a pretty introverted introvert, I work on myself a lot. I stop on my way to work and park for about 30 min to pray. Then I take my lunch hour alone and read my Bible and pray more.
My wife and I are empty nesters as well. She goes to visit her dad, overnight, once a week. He only lives about 20 miles away, but it has been good for them both. So that is my evening alone. Then I have a men’s group another night so she gets her night to do what she wants - that usually means dinner with a friend because she is an extrovert.
I am really discouraged right now. I made it to Day 81 of my streak yesterday. But since I had a half on Sun, my knee has been acting up. So I will mostly likely have to end my streak if I cannot make it out after work. I have only been doing 1 mile runs this week, very slow. But I have some pain and a little swelling. I have never had knee issues before and have only been running regularly for a little over 7 years. So that part of my “me time” may get put on hold.
Thank you for your continued work in keeping us informed, encouraged and enlightened.
Absolutely love this, Terrell! Thanks, as ever, for sharing your reflections. I read Bird by Bird nearly four years ago, and it's stayed me ever since. I also really love her ted talk on life & writing, and keep returning to it every couple of months as a reminder to stay true to my writing and show up even when it feels too difficult. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X41iulkRqZU
Running's been going great! My first marathon is less than four weeks away... I'm equal parts anxious and excited, but trying to enjoy the journey and take it mile by mile.
A friend of mine who knew I wanted to write, gave me Bird by Bird as a gift. He brought to my desk at work and gave it to me amid all the other things that had nothing to do with writing. I needed a lot more practice at making choices and spending time with myself in order to be able to write but I've never forgotten that gift and how it seemed to communicate faith in me, and possibility. I still have that copy, marked up and reread for years now.
And thank you for linking to Anne Helen Petersen's essay. It's wonderful. I didn't know about her.
I meditate because I know if I don’t tend my inner acre, my outer one will control me.
How do I tend my own acre? I run of course!😃
Beautiful. I'm always trying to find the right balance between tending to my own garden & ensuring those around me are tending to theirs. Running, eating right, sleeping enough, saying "no" are my methods for self care. Saying "yes", offering a helping hand, being there when someone need you are how I know to look after others. Life's about balance & I'm always trying to keep the scales even.
Terrell, this is fantastic reflection. Bird by bird is one of my favorite books, I picked it up late last year too and was instantly hooked with Lamott's analogies and images. This book is so comforting and yummy for neurotic writers like me
I loved this piece today!
Enjoyed and related to "Your own emotional acre" story. Thanks, Terrell
Bird by Bird. . . an interesting title. Had to look it up, though got fascinated by the artwork on the Christian Book you mentioned. . . If you've ever been at a gallery or an Art Museum that features Renaissance Art, you'd be fascinated. So much depth that doesn't come across in print. . . but I digress.
Found the take on the emotional acre new. In Hinduism, it is called--or at least what I learned---a Golden Bubble or Golden Egg of Protection. You create it around yourself every day, easiest to do while meditating.
I like the concept of a whole acre. . . that is a lot of land if you are familiar with open land! Mine would be filled with birds ,trees, trails to run, a view and a cozy home. I do like the idea of being able to throw people out--seems they always want to move in with crazy ideas. I am getting better at throwing! One day, that acre will be mine---that's all. That's what is call freedom and when I am happiest.
Rainy day. . . looks like spring, but the wind sure is cold! Rain/snow predicted. May or may not get out. I've procrastinated long enough that book work and cleaning are calling my name! :)
Can you define yourself in about a dozen words? The temptation is to do it in terms of what you do, not who you are. Then define who you want to be. Next, how will you will close the gap. That’s where you will find your acre.
Terrell this is great. I carve out that emotional acre by cross country skiing with my dog. Running alone or with my dog. Reading and streaming books daily. If I don’t tend to it, my noxious weeds creep into others’ yards. I have an awareness of when that happens and really, lack of sleep is a biggie. I say that as I’m on my phone late typing this in the night. I do need to focus on getting more sleep since it seems key to me in keeping my emotional acre well tended. I also think part of emotional tending is to just not do anything. That’s tough for me. I’m always doing something. Good reminders here. Thanks again for your amazing topic.