Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.

Mary Oliver

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Countdown 62: Take a Trip to Planet Sark

 If you came to my house, you should be prepared for cat hair.  Along with the five humans, there are four cats that claim residence in our home, and even allow us to sleep on their beds, use their furniture and of course, attend to all their other needs. 

Among those needs is one of a particularly "discreet" nature.  This evening, after completing the task, I walked out the front door to deliver the package to the garbage, without turning on any lights.  There is an automatic light and I trusted that it would turn on...still, I thought to myself as I confidently strode through the darkness--"To boldly go..." (once a Trekkie, always a Trekkie)

I'd like to think that the light of future will still shine for us, although it may be dark now; that we can boldly go where America has not gone before, and survive the phaser fire, the Klingon attacks, the Romulan skirmishes and the encounters with other hostile alien lifeforms (you know who I'm talking about) and emerge as peace seekers and peace makers from a planet that is highly advanced and globally unified.  I won't live long enough to experience that planet, but I hope my descendants can.

Until then, I think I'll take a trip to Planet Sark, the home of the endlessly exuberant artist, Susan Kennedy, or as she has renamed herself: Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy--SARK for short.  

She's been writing, drawing and speaking for 40 years and hasn't lost her sparkle.  I discovered her years ago and was especially taken with one of her pieces, called "How to Be an Artist." I tried to check off everything on the list.  

Our ongoing mission is a challenging one and some days we'll need a little R &. R. The crew of the Enterprise went to Risa (what happens on Risa stays on Risa), but me, I think I'll go to Planet SARK!

STEP 12:

  • Make little signs that say "Yes!" and post them all around your house
  • Take moonbaths
  • Have wild imaginings, transformative dreams and perfect calm
  • Open up, dive in, be free
  • Drive away fear
  • Get wet
  • Hug trees!


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