Do yourself a favor and go laugh at this thread. So many silly, clever answers!
One Percent Changes
A person I appreciate says this: If you want to make changes in your health, in your personal rhythms, in your structure, in your work, and in your life, start with one thing, and it can be small. She says, “Make 1% changes, and them it compound.”
When we make small shifts, we are likely to stick with them, and once they’ve become solid habits, we can add another “1% change.”
Most of our lives do not divide precisely into percentages, but I’ll share that three weeks ago, or so, I moved from 7 hours of sleep to 8 hours consistently. That was a 12.5% change nightly. That feels great, and it’s a very solid change to build upon.
Any 1% changes you want to make?
–Renee Roederer
Today in Nature
Baby Elephants Suck Their Trunks for Comfort
I just really want everyone to know this. What a cute, fun fact.
Boundaries as a Way to Love
I really appreciate this quote and framing of boundaries by Prentis Hemphill: “Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously.”
I think this is really helpful. And this framing is a good reflection point, allowing us to consider how our relationships are functioning. It also gives us empowerment to move that distance closer or farther based on the needs of the moment.
–Renee Roederer
Nothing Left For Me To Do But Dance
A lyric grabbed my attention. My music was playing on shuffle when Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat,” came on. I adore that song, and of course, I can’t listen without picturing Napoleon Dynamite dancing to it. (I adore that silly movie).
Have you ever had so many things go frustratingly wrong? Or lived through a cascade of dysfunction? Or watched things spiral into Murphy’s Law?
Is there really anything left to do but dance? 🙂 That’s what Jamiroquai says, or at least, what Napoleon Dynamite says with his dance moves after the campaign seems to crumble with Pedro.
So whatever it is in my world and in yours, let’s start cutting a rug.
Perfect Tense
We know about past, present, and future tenses, and we use them regularly in English. But some languages additionally use perfect tense. English uses this at times too, but I came to know about perfect tense when studying ancient Greek in seminary.
A perfect tense verb is an action that took place in the past that has continuing relevance for the present and future. I think this is a lovely thing to think about…
We who find ourselves in this present moment with its own gifts and challenges alike might imagine being in relationship with the perfect tense. After all, aren’t there some beautiful moments, loves, people, and whole communities who are a part of our past but continue to have relevance for the present and future?
And if this is the case, we can call these moments, loves, people, and whole communities to ourselves purposefully. We bring them to our memories, our emotions, and the physical sensations in our bodies. Though they are in the past, in a very real way, they can be experienced in the present too.
–Renee Roederer
People Who Delight in Your Delight
Several times this summer, I felt delight and I will even say, glee. Whether it was spinning around in the water of the Great Lakes and enjoying the crest of the waves, or feeling the breeze while riding a bike, or simply driving in my car to a good bop, there were a couple of times I thought, “If people could see what I’m doing, they’d be delighted to see it.” I was so readily enjoying myself.
That doesn’t mean that every moment this summer was puppies and rainbows. They weren’t.
But these moments were. And I felt people with me.
–Renee Roederer
Reconstitute the World
I am grateful for people who act and care in large ways and in small ways. I am grateful for people who live fully and freely as themselves and make the world better in ways that only they can.
It matters. You matter.
“…My heart is moved by all I cannot save:
so much has been destroyed
I have to cast my lot with those
who age after age, perversely,
with no extraordinary power,
reconstitute the world.”
-Adrienne Rich
*Thanks also to MaryAnn McKibben Dana who introduced me to this quote when she shared it in her newsletter, The Blue Room.
Smuggling Grace 