since it's tradition for me to find a song and post a corresponding blog each time it's my birthday, i suppose this year should be no exception. thankfully, this year, i didn't have to think too hard about it. the most appropriate song, unimaginative though it is to say this, is switchfoot's "twenty-four."
the thing is, this year, i had a birthday party with some good friends, a fantastic boyfriend, flatmates that i'm happy to be living with, enough money to get me through the night, mexican food, in prague, and not dreaming about how different my life could or will be once i make the necessary changes. i'm happy with my life and am pleased that all my choices, good and bad, have led me here.
i am far more fortunate than most.
me, superficially
- joyful.
- Traveler, teacher, wife, friend, football player, runner, expert wine metabolizer, crazy dog lady. Permanent expat.
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"...[the book] starts out with this peasant - the pilgrim - wanting to find out what it means in the bible when it says you should pray incessantly. you know. without stopping... and he meets this starets - this very advanced religious person... well, the starets tells him about the Jesus prayer first of all. 'Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.' i mean that's what it is. and he explains to him that those are the best words to use when you pray. especially the word 'mercy,' because it's such a really enormous word and can mean so many things. i mean it doesn't just have to mean mercy... the starets tells the pilgrim that if you keep saying that prayer over and over again - you only have to just do it with your lips at first - then eventually what happens, the prayer becomes self-active. something happens for a while. i don't know what, but something happens, and the words get synchronized with the person's heartbeats, and you're actually praying without ceasing."
-j.d. salinger, franny and zooey
2 comments:
!! So amazing to read someone write something in such manner these days :) not even necessary to wish happy b-day :) cheers
It sounds like things are looking up for you and you are fortunate! The only thing that could make your life better is if I could see you more often! Can't wait for Christmas when you come visit :)
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