Monday Morning Musing

March 15, 2021

Columbus, Ohio

Dear Ones,

Many people are talking about the year that has just past; the year we pivoted quickly and shut down our lives, but not our hearts. Oh, our hearts. Weren't they put through their paces this year? We were concerned. We were disoriented. We were worried. We were angry. We were afraid. We were sad. So very sad.

And now, after this year, we feel glimmers of hope in our hearts. Hope that there is a solid way to survive this terrible scourge. Hope that we will get there and that we will get to see one another soon.

Some years ago I discovered the marvelous writing of J. Ruth Gendler. The first book I read, which I love, is called Notes on the Need for Beauty. The second book I read is a marvel, really, called The Book of Qualities. She takes a variety of traits or qualities and writes them into human form. She anthropomorphizes them. The work is deep and clever. As a side note, my copy of this book was purchased second hand and has a wish written on the cover page: "To Angelique and John: May you never miss each moment of bliss! Happy Unity! 7-24-04. Love and prayers, Jane Letosfky." How nice of Jane to offer this to Angelique and John. I hope they only gave it away because they already owned a copy.

Here's what J. Ruth Gendler writes about Worry, which is a quality I've long possessed, but has not served me even a little bit:

Worry

Worry has written the definitive work on nervous habits. She etches lines on people's foreheads when they are not paying attention. She makes lists of everything that could go wrong while she is waiting for the train. She is sure she left the stove on, and the house is going to explode in her absence. When she makes love, her mind is on the failure rates and health hazards of various methods of birth control. The drug companies want Worry to test their new tranquilizers but they don't understand what she knows too well: there is no drug that can ease her pain. She is terrified of the unknown.

Beloveds, I don't want to leave us here. We have been terrified of the unknown all year long. Here's one more delightful piece from this book. Enjoy.

Charm

Charm is very beautiful and she is not afraid to wear her beauty on the outside. She works the late shift at the crisis center. She is a good counselor because she experiences her feelings completely. She has a way of offering solace that is subtle and light; she does not judge other people's craziness at all.

When Charm walks into the room, I sometimes hear the whisper of a silver flute following her. She delights in pretty clothes, soft colors and bold textures and skirts that whirl around her ankles and beautiful rings. Even when she had to wear a grey uniform, it was as if she were surrounded by butterflies and lilacs. Charm loves the sexual dance and the shimmering, severing heat of erotic intensity but when she says goodbye, she takes all of herself with her.

Charm does not understand the separation between work and play. She is certainly not lazy, but she needs to sing. You must remember that she is inspiration's niece.