Saying goodbye to the summer…
Books + Beats
I’m reflecting on two quotations this month.
The first is from Percival Everrett’s novel James, a reinterpretation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. The story is reimagined through the voice of Jim, an enslaved man who decides to run away rather than being sold down the river. He teams up with Huck, who is also trying to escape. Together they experience a series of “adventures” and different versions of luck. In the novel, James notes, “Folks be funny lak dat. Dey takes the lies dey want and throws away the truths dat scares ‘em.”
How often do we try to avoid reality, even when it’s staring us in the face? Why do we do that? It’s part of the human condition, I suppose, and so prevalent that even Fleetwood Mac sings about it in Little Lies, which is this month’s beat.
The idea of disguising the truth is reflected in the second quotation as well. The interpretation is a line from Psalm 62 as translated by Rabbi Brielle Rassler. It reads, “Keep your strength away from empty promises and your heart away from artificial inflation.” Again, the pattern of leaning into what is false.
And so, this month let us embark on our renewal journey by pursuing truth, regardless of how scary it might be.
Barbells
Barbells:
Speaking of scary, when was the last time you checked your balance, movement, and coordination? This wall squat is a great way to see where you’re weak. Mine is not particularly graceful, but it’s also not terrible. I get below parallel without scratching my face up. Give it a try.
- Start by standing 6 inches from the wall and squat to parallel (or just below 90 degrees).
- Move progressively closer to the wall as you increase your flexibility, balance, mobility, and strength.
How’d you do?
Peace and love,
Kit
Find the balance. 