I have just spent two weeks in Paris, in October. Match after match of tennis, supreme.
Martina Navratilova woke me up early, EARLY, with a familiar voice, and wisdom of a winner.
She looks at tennis like a science/math problem, it was fascinating to hear her describe each point.
Johnny Mack came in for the finals and brought us New York with a swag. The petulant young man, has aged with wit and perfection. Paris at any season tugs at my heart, I saw a bakery and smelled it through the telly. All the streets, and I think I saw my bench outside the Louve.
The color of clay courts, the rust of skill and practice, I can not explain, it is love. ( not the love =zero)
Keeping busy these days, with fear hovering. I hate thinking about this vile virus, and horrific hate simmering in this storm. My brother and I had to agree not to discuss politics, my left and his center, are very far apart. Me being the oldest,I still have to ability to choke him, but love wins!! I will love him, and maybe pinch him very hard!!!!
Iam reading this great book, How to Think Like a Monk, or is it Live Like A Monk, I will have to look it up. Wait a minute. It's Think Like A Monk, by Jay Shetty.
These times call for all kinds of reading, and this is a good one.
Years ago, Mother Mary and I went to meet and greet some Monks at St.John's Cathedral in Jacksonville, Florida. ( my home church) ( also First Methodist) ( Also Anderson Methodist) ( All home churches) Brother John, I think was his name, was very young and handsome, with his brown robe and rope belt!!! My mind may have been wandering, but I listened, and he spoke so calmly. He had a glow, honestly( and I may have had other ideas) ( I was young) ( maybe early twenties) ( Hormones)
I was already in love with The Dean, I think I have a thing for robes, and calmness!!
Well, that little story is why I am reading this book, mom, who is living with us now and I talk about everything under the sun and clouds. We were laughing about Brother John, and she reminded me of my question to him. I may have.....asked him, didn't he want to have a family and love interest?? He said he was married to Jesus, or some crazy thing, and I may have said, " Really??"
OK, back to the book, we need to hear Martina's voice, A monk's journey, and Jesus, to help us, through this 2020 year.
Here are some of the lines, I highlighted.
1. No matter what you think your values are, your actions tell the real story.
2. When we tune out the opinions, expectations, and obligations of the world around us, we begin to hear ourselves. LISTEN PEOPLE TO YOURSELF, last four words were mine.
3.What is the value in your choice?
4. There are always more ways to be pulled up than to be pulled down.
5. Comparing, Complaining, Criticizing, Cancers of the mind.
6.Do not give your attention to what others do or fail to do; give it to what you do or fail to do.
7. In my experience, nobody wakes up and thinks, How can I be mean today?( are you sure, Brother John) ( OK, this is not Brother John but I still have him on my mind!!)
8. Bad things do Happen.
9. Don't count the teeth in someone else's mouth!!
10. But Monks believe that when it comes to happiness and joy, there is a seat with your name on it.
I will end there.
I am thinking about candy corn right now, Brother John, Rafa, the color of clay, and all of you wonderful people.
Enjoy whatever you find, to bring you peace, happiness, and read this book.
Love in October
B
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