What’s love got to do with it?
MINDFUL MOMENTS # 146
Bringing this late-night edition to you straight from the sofa. I’ve eschewed the desk for something altogether comfier.
Often, I find myself getting annoyed at various Instagram posts. I’ve been spending more time on there; who knows why, really, other than habit and a lack of intention (all fuelled by the algorithm’s joyous discovery of my love of cats and bad (dad) jokes).
We’ve spoken before on here about our perceived “negative” emotions (anger, jealousy, frustration etc.) as being indicators of where we place value and desire: we feel jealous of that which we want most; we feel angry when we feel injustice.
I feel impatient with many of the poetry accounts on Instagram. (Alongside dad jokes and a healthy feline following, poetry accounts are my next favourite poison on social media.)
I was raised on a healthy diet of English Literature at school, spending hours poring over euphemism and metaphor and the rhythm of writing. Seeking meaning from poetry became something I enjoyed, albeit sometimes through gritted teeth - akin to the tackling of a cryptic crossword. (Thanks, lockdown, for that one.)
I feel annoyed at the seeming simplicity of others’ writing; annoyed at their lack of deeper meaning or lack of intention towards structure, syntax, even symmetry.
But, then I hear the words of Brene Brown reminding me that “If you’re not in the arena also getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.”
That is to say: if you’re not out there creating, you’re in no place to criticise.
And so I swallow my words, and eat humble pie.
A friend also told me this week about a book called A Void, an impressive piece of French literature which completely avoids the letter ‘e’ - almost unimaginable! So it really can’t be as hard as that.
So, I’m gonna enter the arena and get my ass kicked for trying to write a poem (and I used the letter ‘e’ a lot, mostly because it was really hard not to):
Getting my ass kicked for trying
You say single words;
Your heart beats in double time.
You look at me with double eyes and
double down - in double-bedded duvet-down.
And I was thinking of you, when I wrote this
(entirely unprompted, of course)
and although I aim for romance,
I don’t always succeed.
You’re romantic when it matters
(in bed when you say nice things)
Mindful moment: Are you criticising without creating? Are you afraid to put yourself out there? What are you following, that you would rather be leading?
P.S. Poetry always works best when you say it out loud.
P.P.S. Poetry doesn’t always need to completely make sense to you for it to make you feel something. If you don’t like it (or you do), do you know why?
P.P.P.S. My favourite poetry accounts to follow are @poetryisnotaluxury and @grieftolight.
YOGA
Mindful Movement
Join us every Saturday from 11am-12.15 at the Cornerstone Community Centre in Hove for an all-levels vinyasa yoga flow class, meditation and mindfulness (mats provided or bring your own). £6 per class or £24 for 5.
Upcoming classes: February 3rd, 10th.
Please note: I am then away travelling through to the end of March (lucky me, I know!).
Classes will resume April 6th.
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Welcome to the Community.
I'm Laura, a yoga teacher and NHS doctor. With this weekly newsletter I aim to help you incorporate mindful moments into your week. I want you to feel inspired, empowered and creative. I promise to always be authentic; to only include content that speaks to me and which, therefore, I hope will do the same for you.
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