Ideas that inspire
I continue to be a bubbling mass of words and thoughts that don’t want to coalesce into anything worth sharing. I’m okay with that. This is a time of major change in my life and I can let it move through me how it must. Instead of my words today, then, I’d like to share a few quotes that I’ve collected over the past year. I’ve returned to these words again and again, and I think perhaps you’ll find something worthwhile here as well:
“I am awake. I will spend my life taking off this armor.” - Pema Chodron
“The old world is dying and the new world struggles to be born. Now is the time of monsters.” - Antonio Gramsci
“You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” - the Talmud
“Know what you really know, feel what you really feel, say what you really mean, and do what you really want.” - Martha Beck
And finally, a song lyric that has always struck me as perfect, but which resonates exactly with how I’m feeling today:
“She is a heavy sack of flour, sifted. Her burden lifted.” - Ani Difranco
Have a beautiful week.
xo
Shannon
Upcoming Shows
June 22, 3-5pm - Song and Spoken Word Circle
We’re back at Dwellissimo (Walton St., Port Hope) with another song/poetry/story/spoken word circle. Last time a dozen of us enjoyed a cozy, candlelit afternoon during an ice storm, but there’s certainly room for more folks to join the fun. Completely unplugged, bring your guitar, djembe, chapbook or whatever you need to join in. There’s also plenty of space and comfy chairs for folks who just want to watch. I’d love to know if you’re planning to come!
July 16 from 3-6pm
Come find me making music at the Cobourg Public Library Book and Bake Sale. Then buy some goodies to support our local library!
July 19
I am hosting a Campfire Songcircle at Westben. It’s a free event prior to Matt Andersen’s show. For details and to RSVP click here.
Featured Playlist - Joy Just Because
I just discovered that I haven’t updated the Joy Just Because playlist since our Plainville United show in February. The list is full of many of the songs we performed at that show, and it was a delightful little discovery for me! So, I suggest you go have a listen to brighten your day, and I’ll plan to update the list in the next few weeks.
LOVE this. I recently discovered the concept of a zibaldono, or a commonplace book. Found it in a book called “The Notebook: A history of thinking on paper”. I feel like you shared a page of yours.
Honesty, connection, and empowering quotations (and music!)--exactly what I needed. Thank you for sharing!