Some fragmented thoughts on what it means to be quiet, a warming pot of short rib, Adele as a companion through grief, and the world's northernmost church
I enjoy all your stories about Fozzie Fozz. And that you talk to him whether or not he can hear you. Thanks for sharing your human story, Jeff. You have become my favorite writer. It feels like we are sitting around the kitchen table having a cup of tea.
I love all the things you’ve said about silence in this letter, thank you; for reminding me to actively stay still. I have been practicing silence especially as it relates to listening (consciously), listening with parts of my being that do not necessarily reside in the ear lobes - paying attention, yet, sometimes i get caught up in human-inform and forget. So I thank you for this reminder, and regards to fozzie!
Thank u Jeff for the beautiful words about silence- regrettably something I paid little attention to in the first half of life. Now (at 50) somehow any wisdom or humility that finds a way in seems to come through quiet and listening. Also news of sweet Fozzie and cooking are lovely and I appreciate the thoughtfulness of other readers in the comments😊
I love this. I've never done a word of the year before, but this year I felt so strongly drawn to really focus on "listen". These words have really inspired me as I contemplate the relationship between listening and silence.
I look forward to your emails so very much. I am a mother of 7, just started a PhD program, and tomorrow is (re)opening day for my coffeehouse that I’ve been trying to get off the ground for 5 years. Your words about silence resonated in a way that brought tears to my eyes. Intentional silence is something that I need but didn’t know it until you told me. Blessings.
There is a retreat center here on Long Island that offers cabins for those embracing silence for one day to two weeks. They accommodate silent ones with ways to navigate the cafeteria without speaking, etc. But they interview you kindly but deeply to ascertain if you can handle the silence. Some cannot and need to be intervened upon. It seems to me that silence en masse can be quite different than solo silence. Silence for me is potent, powerful, and seldom passive.
Do you know this poem by Craig Santos Perez: “when the tide of silence rises / say ocean / then with the paddle of your tongue/ rearrange the letters /to say canoe”
Jeff, each time I see one of your emails in my inbox I feel like I have a gift-wrapped box just waiting for me to open. I do not open it right away on purpose. I wait until I know that my mind and house are quiet enough to read through it slowly and thoughtfully, taking time to ponder and savor each sentence, each topic. There’s something about your writing that touches my heart deeply regardless of the subject matter. Thank you for sharing yourself with this world. We are richer for it.
PS….please be a guest prayer leader again for The Chapel soon 😊
I don't usually do a 'word of the year' or anything, but with everything that has come across my path in the last two weeks, I think it's silence. Or stillness or meditation or something related. At the very least, my current goal is to find silence and appreciate it, heal in it. Thank you for your words on it.
I enjoy all your stories about Fozzie Fozz. And that you talk to him whether or not he can hear you. Thanks for sharing your human story, Jeff. You have become my favorite writer. It feels like we are sitting around the kitchen table having a cup of tea.
I love all the things you’ve said about silence in this letter, thank you; for reminding me to actively stay still. I have been practicing silence especially as it relates to listening (consciously), listening with parts of my being that do not necessarily reside in the ear lobes - paying attention, yet, sometimes i get caught up in human-inform and forget. So I thank you for this reminder, and regards to fozzie!
Thank u Jeff for the beautiful words about silence- regrettably something I paid little attention to in the first half of life. Now (at 50) somehow any wisdom or humility that finds a way in seems to come through quiet and listening. Also news of sweet Fozzie and cooking are lovely and I appreciate the thoughtfulness of other readers in the comments😊
I love this. I've never done a word of the year before, but this year I felt so strongly drawn to really focus on "listen". These words have really inspired me as I contemplate the relationship between listening and silence.
Thank you.
I simply love your thoughtful insights into the world around you. Blessings to you and your ministry my friend.
I look forward to your emails so very much. I am a mother of 7, just started a PhD program, and tomorrow is (re)opening day for my coffeehouse that I’ve been trying to get off the ground for 5 years. Your words about silence resonated in a way that brought tears to my eyes. Intentional silence is something that I need but didn’t know it until you told me. Blessings.
That braised short rib 🤤
There is a retreat center here on Long Island that offers cabins for those embracing silence for one day to two weeks. They accommodate silent ones with ways to navigate the cafeteria without speaking, etc. But they interview you kindly but deeply to ascertain if you can handle the silence. Some cannot and need to be intervened upon. It seems to me that silence en masse can be quite different than solo silence. Silence for me is potent, powerful, and seldom passive.
Do you know this poem by Craig Santos Perez: “when the tide of silence rises / say ocean / then with the paddle of your tongue/ rearrange the letters /to say canoe”
Jeff, each time I see one of your emails in my inbox I feel like I have a gift-wrapped box just waiting for me to open. I do not open it right away on purpose. I wait until I know that my mind and house are quiet enough to read through it slowly and thoughtfully, taking time to ponder and savor each sentence, each topic. There’s something about your writing that touches my heart deeply regardless of the subject matter. Thank you for sharing yourself with this world. We are richer for it.
PS….please be a guest prayer leader again for The Chapel soon 😊
I don't usually do a 'word of the year' or anything, but with everything that has come across my path in the last two weeks, I think it's silence. Or stillness or meditation or something related. At the very least, my current goal is to find silence and appreciate it, heal in it. Thank you for your words on it.