Somehow, I read/listened to that book three times last year, and still the truth of that one quote tries to elude me. Thanks for capturing it again. Every time I share some of the same laments with the smartest people I know, they tell me that instead of pining for a bigger audience, I need to get more specific about who it is that I serve and how I serve them. I'm grateful to have wise people like you constantly reminding me of such things!
Your words--and that quote!--are so insightful and relevant for me, too. Thank you! My word for 2024 is Cherish, and that also invites me to cherish the day for what it is, to stop basing its worth on productivity or achievement. Thank you, as always.
I received Rubin's book as a gift and have been reading it as a sort of creative devotional- bite sized portions to chew on instead of stuffing myself and missing something. Good advice for creatives at any stage.
"Patience, to me, is an active engagement with what I have in my hands right now. What’s in front of me to do, right now. It’s not a passive thing, but an active acceptance and surrender to reality, engaging in my place in it." I've always thought of myself as a patient person, but I'm recently seeing that what I call patience is really checking out. I really like your definition - active engagement, active acceptance, active surrender to reality. You challenge me to look deeper ~ thank you.
Not as a writer but as a creator and artist, I am constantly exploring ways to enter this space of deep awareness and presence to what is now.
Gene Key 5 pinged me as I was reading your share and I am sharing that with you in case you would like to check Richard Rudd's contemplation on it. It's been very insightful for me and if you enjoy R. Rubin's book, you might like this as well.
Shawn thank you for taking the time to share this with the world. I want to acknowledge you for the time and effort it takes to share from an open and vulnerable space on a regular basis. I enjoyed this read. I recently read Rick’s book too. Brilliant. To me the concept of arguing with reality is really about resisting the present moment. As Ram Das often said “Be Here Now”. What other moment is there to be in? There is only the now. To be totally and utterly surrendered to the present, is peace. 🙏🏽
Vipul, I love how you phrase that. It makes a lot of sense, and helps me to think about patience in a different way--remaining in this moment even when other things are tugging at me. Thanks for your kind words.
My husband is full of pithy sayings, one of which is, "Fast is slow and slow is fast." He said this to me (with a smile) when I backed out of the driveway too quickly one day, running the bumper of the car into the corner of the landscaping. Oops. But I think of it often when I'm in a hurry now.
For what it’s worth, I - an aspiring writer in the desert who is just a stranger - read this while my husband worked in the kitchen. I then turned around and read it again, out loud, to him. Because he is about to leave a horrible job and we both feel the pain of feeling like we’re behind in life and know all too well the sting of impatience. Your words hit deep for both of us this evening, so thank you.
Let me just say this, Danielle . . . when Maile and I walked away from that business, when things seemed like they were at their very worst, Maile heard the closest thing to an audible voice from God, and that voice said, "This is a gift." And Maile replied, "Well, it's a pretty shitty gift."
But within a few years we could begin to see what an incredible gift that hard time was turning into. I don't know your exact circumstances, but I'd imagine that what you're going through will also turn out to be a gift. Keep hanging in there.
"Pushing the rock up the hill . . ." Why is it that that's exactly what it feels like? But not in a bad way anymore, just in a "time to make the donuts" kind of way.
It’s like my metaphor of running. We don’t win the race until we realize there isn’t any finish line and we’re just running for the fun of it, or because we don’t have any other choice. It’s all hard work. If we knew just how much, we never would have started. But you just keep running. Eventually, once you no longer care, someone will throw a medal around your neck. That’s the irony of success.
Somehow, I read/listened to that book three times last year, and still the truth of that one quote tries to elude me. Thanks for capturing it again. Every time I share some of the same laments with the smartest people I know, they tell me that instead of pining for a bigger audience, I need to get more specific about who it is that I serve and how I serve them. I'm grateful to have wise people like you constantly reminding me of such things!
I need the reminder, too, nearly every day.
Your words--and that quote!--are so insightful and relevant for me, too. Thank you! My word for 2024 is Cherish, and that also invites me to cherish the day for what it is, to stop basing its worth on productivity or achievement. Thank you, as always.
Oh, I like that word.
I received Rubin's book as a gift and have been reading it as a sort of creative devotional- bite sized portions to chew on instead of stuffing myself and missing something. Good advice for creatives at any stage.
Yes! Definitely best ingested in small pieces. I've been listening to the audio book (and his wonderfully soothing voice).
I'll have to check that out!
"Patience, to me, is an active engagement with what I have in my hands right now. What’s in front of me to do, right now. It’s not a passive thing, but an active acceptance and surrender to reality, engaging in my place in it." I've always thought of myself as a patient person, but I'm recently seeing that what I call patience is really checking out. I really like your definition - active engagement, active acceptance, active surrender to reality. You challenge me to look deeper ~ thank you.
Needed this today, thank you.
Not as a writer but as a creator and artist, I am constantly exploring ways to enter this space of deep awareness and presence to what is now.
Gene Key 5 pinged me as I was reading your share and I am sharing that with you in case you would like to check Richard Rudd's contemplation on it. It's been very insightful for me and if you enjoy R. Rubin's book, you might like this as well.
Thanks, Klara!
Shawn thank you for taking the time to share this with the world. I want to acknowledge you for the time and effort it takes to share from an open and vulnerable space on a regular basis. I enjoyed this read. I recently read Rick’s book too. Brilliant. To me the concept of arguing with reality is really about resisting the present moment. As Ram Das often said “Be Here Now”. What other moment is there to be in? There is only the now. To be totally and utterly surrendered to the present, is peace. 🙏🏽
Vipul, I love how you phrase that. It makes a lot of sense, and helps me to think about patience in a different way--remaining in this moment even when other things are tugging at me. Thanks for your kind words.
Thank you. This helps.
My husband is full of pithy sayings, one of which is, "Fast is slow and slow is fast." He said this to me (with a smile) when I backed out of the driveway too quickly one day, running the bumper of the car into the corner of the landscaping. Oops. But I think of it often when I'm in a hurry now.
Nice. I like that.
As a kid lit author who chases more, I feel the impatience in my bones, Thanks for sharing
For what it’s worth, I - an aspiring writer in the desert who is just a stranger - read this while my husband worked in the kitchen. I then turned around and read it again, out loud, to him. Because he is about to leave a horrible job and we both feel the pain of feeling like we’re behind in life and know all too well the sting of impatience. Your words hit deep for both of us this evening, so thank you.
Let me just say this, Danielle . . . when Maile and I walked away from that business, when things seemed like they were at their very worst, Maile heard the closest thing to an audible voice from God, and that voice said, "This is a gift." And Maile replied, "Well, it's a pretty shitty gift."
But within a few years we could begin to see what an incredible gift that hard time was turning into. I don't know your exact circumstances, but I'd imagine that what you're going through will also turn out to be a gift. Keep hanging in there.
YES -thank you. So appreciate the encouragement and, as always, your words.
I often see myself in your writing. It’s a comfortable place to be, even when it’s uncomfortable. Keep pushing the rock up the hill.
"Pushing the rock up the hill . . ." Why is it that that's exactly what it feels like? But not in a bad way anymore, just in a "time to make the donuts" kind of way.
It’s like my metaphor of running. We don’t win the race until we realize there isn’t any finish line and we’re just running for the fun of it, or because we don’t have any other choice. It’s all hard work. If we knew just how much, we never would have started. But you just keep running. Eventually, once you no longer care, someone will throw a medal around your neck. That’s the irony of success.
I love that. And it feels true to me.
Re-read “Jonathon Livingston Seagull.” Be the bird Shawn. :)