7 Things @ 7 #018
Discover more from The Art of Paying Attention
7 Things @ 7 #018
Cheese, climate change, salvific-art, Malcolm Guite, diaries, and more.
Hello — I’m Ryan J. Pelton, a writer, teacher, podcaster, and believe the whole thing runs on grace. Here’s a little explanation (About page) of why my newsletter/blog is called The Art of Paying Attention.
Hello, my friends!
It’s 7 PM and you know what that means? Sorry about my forty-eight hour delay. My wife was out of town for five days, and I was on solo-kid-duty.
We consumed many foods involving cheese, swam a lot, experienced a power outage leading to an epic game of kickball in the front yard, and well, had a grand time.
I’m ecstatic my wife is home. Pelton Enterprises doesn’t run as smoothly without my saintly partner. Don’t tell her, but the kids might’ve not consumed any fruits or vegetables for the last five days.
Our little secret:)
Hope you are well, and are enjoying the long days of summer.
On to the Magnificent Seven (7 Things):
1. Is the world melting? I’m thinking so. I read an interesting article about a company trying to do something about the climate crisis (Charm). Did you know corn can make steel? Neither did I. These concepts are intriguing. You also might enjoy this book by Yoda-Seth-Godin. Much to consider in our current climate situation.
2. Will art save the world? Not entirely, but it’s a good start. I’ve been enjoying a challenging and profound theological work by poet Malcolm Guite. He argues because we are made in the image of God, and have the Divine Spark, imagination is the primary faculty of every living being. The implications are endless. You might also like his YouTube channel.
3. Speaking of poetry. Here is a beautiful ditty by Malcolm Guite called Benedict:
You sought to start a simple school of prayer,
A modest, gentle, moderate attempt,
With nothing made too harsh or hard to bear,
No treating or retreating with contempt,
A little rule, a small obedience
That sets aside, and tills the chosen ground,
Fruitful humility, chosen innocence,
A binding by which freedom might be found
You call us all to live, and see good days,
Centre in Christ and enter in his peace,
To seek his Way amidst our many ways,
Find blessedness in blessing, peace in praise,
To clear and keep for Love a sacred space
That we might be beginners in God’s grace.
“Beginners in God’s grace” is a rich line.
4. Will Smith punched Chris Rock in the face at the Oscars. Nobody is perfect. But Smith is a deeply spiritual human and reflects on the craft of acting in this podcast interview. I recommend the Tetragrammaton podcast, too. Super interesting interviews and people and ideas.
5. Considered keeping a journal or diary? Here is a compelling reason by Austin Kleon:
“I keep a diary for many reasons, but the main one is: It helps me pay attention to my life. By sitting down and writing about my life, I pay attention to it, I honor it, and when I’ve written about it long enough, I have a record of my days, and I can then go back and pay attention to what I pay attention to, discover my own patterns, and know myself better. It helps me fall in love with my life.”
Writing, journaling, and taking notes of your life is a way to “pay attention to what I pay attention to.” This can be terrifying, but also liberating, and helpful. Our proper and endless work…
6. Ear Candy: I’m not sure who came up with music tours around the anniversaries of albums... But I love the idea. One of the great bands of the early 2000s (and today) is Death Cab for Cutie. Interesting and heartfelt music. They are celebrating a ground breaking album, Transalanticism. First vinyl album I bought after the resurgence of vinyl.
7. A quote: Let’s marinate in a quote from Malcolm Guite:
“Most of us are under pressure, external and internal, to do everything, be good at everything, be accountable to everyone for everything! It is not so. In the divine economy each of us has a particular grace, gift and devotion. Finding out what that is, and learning how to be guilt-free about not doing everything else, may be part of what our Lenten journey is for.”
-Malcolm Guite, (from: The Word in the Wilderness)
Quick Hits:
The latest podcast episode.
Consider a paid subscription.
Is this where it’s all headed? (See image below)
Grace, peace, and more peace…
Ryan