HENRY’S (AND MY) COMMANDMENTS

I’m sorry I’ve been so MIA. My academic life is currently taking over (as per usual). I’ve stumbled across Henry Miller’s commandments and they’ve resonated eons with me.

{resting at the WWII memorial in Washington, DC over spring break}

Work Schedule 1932 – 1933: HENRY MILLER MISCELLANEA

COMMANDMENTS

1. Work on one thing at a time until finished.

2. Start no more new books, add no more new material to “Black Spring”

3. Don’t be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is at hand.

4. Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!

5. When you can’t create you can work.

6. Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.

7. Keep human! See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.

8. Don’t be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.

9. Discard the Program when you feel like it – but go back to it next day. Concentrate. Narrow down. Exclude.

10. Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing.

11. Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards.

[from Henry Miller on Writing (New Directions, 1964) p 161.]

Questions that free my mind, part 4

{part one, two, three / questions from here}

31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?

I know that where I am is where I’m mean to be and I’m alive so I’m thankful.

32. If not now, then when?

Never.

33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?

Everything I’ve worked for.

34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?

Unfortunately, only a few.

35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?

Because of man’s uncontrollable quest for power. They think they can act in the name of God without consequences.

36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?

Morally, yes. But there will always be some situations where the distinction is blurred.

37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?

No. I always need something to keep me busy.

38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?

More work. I’m the type of person that always needs to keep busy to be happy (even though I complain when I’m too busy).

39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?

Some days feel never-ending and some days I wish would never end.

40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?

It’s been awhile. But I’m hoping I’ll have more of that this summer.

Questions that free my mind, part 3

{part one & two/questions taken from here}

21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?

A joyful simpleton, of course. I’d rather be happy with what I have than worried about what I don’t.

22. Why are you, you?

Because no one else can be.

23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?

Currently, yes. But I’ll admit, looking back, I have made some bad decisions and I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize to all of my friends who I have hurt in some way or another in the past.

24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?

Losing touch is always the worst. I’ve unfortunately lost contact with some of my nearest and dearest after my move, but distance is always a big hurdle to overcome (especially when it’s an ocean)

25. What are you most grateful for?

Everything. Always.

26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?

This is tough… Neither if I could add my own choice! But if I had to pick, I’d rather be able to create new ones. I’m still young.

27. Is it possible to know the truth without challenging it first?

Thinking as a journalist, no. (Sources, sources, sources!)

28. Has your greatest fear ever come true?

No, thankfully.

29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?

Putting things into perspective, no.

30. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special?

I will always treasure every traveling adventure that I had with my family.

Goals for 2012

Here’s to 2012.

Another 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 52,600 minutes, 3,153,600 seconds of struggle, growth, progress, and experience.

I’ve read somewhere that you’re more likely to keep goals than resolutions, so this year, I decided to set some goals for myself.

This year, I’m serious about my goals, so I’m going to drop the conditions. You should too! Go directly to your goal. Be your goal! Why not just take charge and create the experience you are looking for?

Here are my goals for the year:

I decided to write them down and carry with me at all times as a constant reminder.

What are your goals for the year?

Happy New Year’s everyone!

p.s. If you haven’t seen this already, watch it now: It’s magical

Hibernation of Home

It’s a nice feeling going into a hibernation. Maybe it’s the comfort that is in the air here, maybe it’s being around my loved ones, maybe it’s me growing into the person I want to be. I’ve realized that you bring everything into your life that you want for yourself and you keep out what you don’t.

Hibernation of home.

I’ve been inhabiting this home so deeply and maybe it’s the winter, but this place feels so good when it’s warmer, and even better when it’s raining.

I’ve found that being welcomed into open arms opened me up to love that I didn’t realize was still there. I’m ready for what’s coming next.  I need another tree to climb. I want to show all my soul to the world.

All that matters to me

All that matters to me is the amount of wonder and beauty I am able to experience in my life.

Last night I had a dream that must have been so sad because I woke up in tears, but for some reason, in the dream I felt total comfort in what was happening. I was afraid, yet unafraid, and I was thankful to have been a part of something bigger than myself.

I should start a dream journal because I wish with all my heart that I could remember what was in the dream.

I, like most college students, have exams this week and I should be studying right now (ha!), but of course, here I am spilling my heart to the virtual world.

My roommate and I put this tree up for the holidays. It’s a cute little addition to our living room (note the cornhole boards behind the tree… oh, college). We also each had an ornament that has our picture in it and mine, of course, is in Santa’s belly. Ha!

These babies surprised me in the mail the other day! I was very excited to receive mail… to say the least. I had mentioned earlier about winning Corals + Cognacs giveaway that was sponsored by Elegantees. This is the shirt I picked out. Even though it’s a size too big, I thought it would probably shrink a bit after washing. It’s the perfect color to wear to my school’s football games next fall too.

Those are the ornaments my ornament exchange partner, Kim, sent me. They are so precious and brighten up my tree.

Well, it’s time to head to the library to accomplish some work.

Good luck on your exams, if you have any!

Questions that free my mind, part 2

{part 1 is here/website these questions are taken from is here}

{via}

11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do?

على فكرة، هي قربتي… (loosely translated: “oh, by the way, she’s my relative* Arab humor)

12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?

Change is the only constant.

13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?

Of course, I always sided with John Q, hello.

14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?

To me, they’re interconnected.

15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?

Live.

16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?

Because they’re not living my life.

17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back?

Do something magnificent. I haven’t figured out how I’m going to do it yet. Be patient.

18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?

Hmm… good question.

19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?

Anywhere. Seriously.

20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?

Not usually, but I will admit that when I’m in a rush I do push it more than once.