7 Things @ 7 #017

Taylor Swift, notebooks, Rembrandt, Wendell Berry, pens, celebrity, and much more

Hello humans — I’m Ryan J. Pelton, a writer, teacher, podcaster, and believe the whole thing runs on grace. Here’s a little explanation of why my newsletter/blog is called The Art of Paying Attention. 

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Hello, my friends! 

It’s Monday, and 7 PM… you know what that means?

Before we jump into the “7 Things,” can I ask a question:

Where are you stuck?  

Do you have a project you’re working on that isn’t seeming to come together? Are you working on a new idea and not sure of the next steps? Stuck spiritually, emotionally, or physically? 

***Simply hit “reply” on your email and let me know. I’d love to hear from you. 

Okay, on with the show of The Seven…

Grace for the Weary

1. In my office, I have a painting of Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son. Not a day goes by when I don’t take a gaze, sometimes a long gaze, to remember the whole thing runs on grace. I’m not sure where you get your spiritual nourishment, but if you have any capacity for a couple powerful and short reads, I recommend: Prodigal God by Dr. Timothy Keller, and The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen. Whatever your conception of God or the Divine might be, these books are a welcome conversation starter.

The Kentucky Farmer-Activist

2. I’m a late-comer to all things Wendell Berry. He’s a farmer, novelist, poet, and activist from Kentucky. Berry wrote a collection of essays called “What Are People For?” In this work, Berry wrestles with themes of race, the land, faith, economics, and the benefits of the “old ways” of doing things. What has punched me in the soul is everything we do in America comes back to economics. Every decision we make about people, issues, and even the land often comes back to money. Berry is helpful in naming the destructive results of what happens when everything becomes primarily economic decisions. 

Here is a documentary about Wendell Berry, and one of my favorite poems about writing poems.

Swifty’s in KC

3. Can we talk about Taylor Swift? Last week the pop star Taylor Swift and her army of Swifty’s descended on Chief’s Stadium in our city. Swift is known for 3-4 hour concerts, special guests, and never plays the same set list twice. I’m not a fan of her music, and neither are my boys. It appears Swift appeals to primarily women and younger girls. Not a problem. But I spoke to a woman who attended the concert with a friend on Saturday, and she shared her thoughts. She was disheartened by the amount of Taylor Swift “worship” as she called it, among the girls and many adults at the concert. Tears, singing, and what appeared to be a religious experience were going down at the stadium. My friend also mentioned how much Taylor Swift loved the worship aimed at the Rock-Goddess, maybe a little too much. I’m not sure how we balance the enjoyment of music and entertainment, while not getting sucked into the vortex of idolatry and “human-worship.” I’m sure Taylor Swift is a great person, but what happens when we realize our heroes are just ordinary, weak, insecure, fearful, and, dare I say, sinful people needing grace like every human? Celebrity is fleeting and humans aren’t built for it. 

Here is what Brad Pitt said about it years ago in a Rolling Stone magazine interview:

“Pitt: Man, I know all these things are supposed to seem important to us—the car, the condo, our version of success—but if that’s the case, why is the general feeling out there reflecting more impotence and isolation and desperation and loneliness? If you ask me, I say toss all this—we gotta find something else. Because all I know is that at this point in time, we are heading for a dead end, a numbing of the soul, a complete atrophy of the spiritual being. And I don’t want that.

Rolling Stone: So if we’re heading toward this kind of existential dead end in society, what do you think should happen?

Pitt: Hey, man, I don’t have those answers yet. The emphasis now is on success and personal gain. I’m sitting in it, and I’m telling you, that’s not it. I’m the guy who’s got everything. I know. But I’m telling you, once you’ve got everything, then you’re just left with yourself. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it doesn’t help you sleep any better, and you don’t wake up any better because of it.”

My Gear

4. Okay, a little lighter fare. Can we talk about notebooks? I’m an analog guy, and love pens, paper, and all things notebooks. There is something prayerful, meditative, and calming with using ink and paper. I journal regularly in notebooks, organize calendars and tasks in paper journals, and do all my early research for teachings, books, blogs, ideas, pretty much everything in a journal. 

Here is my research, journaling, and idea making journal. It’s a Moleskine Cashier’s Journal. They come in packs of three. Nothing fancy and holds ink well. I do my calendar, daily tasks, and project keeping in a Moleskine Bullet Journal. Has table of contents and page numbers which helps you find stuff later. I’m also a modified Bullet Journaler. It keeps an unorganized person like myself, somewhat grounded. I use this pen for making notes when reading, and this pen for everyday use. 

Listening Pleasure

5. Ear Candy: Jason Isbell is still on high rotation. My wife is also enjoying the soulful tunes of the 400 Unit. She’s been a slow adopter. I’ve also revisited Johnny Cash’s last albums, which are iconic. This song will make you cry. If you like varieties of music, you might also like the Broken Record Podcast. A thorough analysis into the artistry and making of music from many musical genres. 

Viewing Pleasure

6. Eye Candy: not much here of late in film or TV. Only one, this YouTube channel of a guy who does Horse Training and smokes cigars. It’s calming, helpful, and a joy to my soul. Not sure why… I don’t own a horse, or ride them?

A Quote to Ponder

7. Let me close our week of 7 with a quote from Wendell Berry in What Are People For?

“True solitude is found in the wild places, where one is without human obligation. One’s inner voices become audible… In consequence, one responds more clearly to other lives.”

Quick Hits:

• Want to support the Substack? I opened up paid options to keep this thing going. I appreciate all who have already signed up. More insider goodies coming soon!

• Latest podcast episode- and more coming this week. 

• Buy a shirt- one of our most popular shirts is perfect for any C. S. Lewis fans in your life. 

Question(s) for the Week:

A last question I’ve been pondering:

What is my responsibility to others? What do I owe them? 

Grace + Peace,

Ryan