joy

Weekly newsletter 12.29.2020

Friends, 

It’s the end of 2020 (at least on the calendar). Some say, “finally.” Others wonder, “what’s next?” And still others are trying to remember what ideas like “days” and “weeks” mean. Instead of dwelling on the last 12 months or freaking out about its ripples in 2021 and beyond, I’m focusing on joy. 

Updates

If we’ve met, you’re probably aware of my love for The Golden Girls. Last week, I started watching the series for the 749th time. “Only 749?” you wonder. Well, it’s a rough estimate. And each episode beings me great joy. This time around, though, I’m documenting my observations, including my favorite moments, lines, and outfits in each episode, in a series on Medium, aptly titled “Watching The Golden Girls for the 749th Time.” If you’re interested in my take, from Coco the gay cook to that moment that one flew out of the cuckoo’s nest, follow along. 

Guided meditations via Zoom continue! Mondays at 4:00pm PST. The aim is to practice being present - to ourselves, to others, and to the world. If you or someone you know could use a 20-30 minute dose of peace and quiet on Mondays, visit the meditation page on my site to sign up. 

I’m still working out some details for symposia in 2021 - stay tuned!

Good Stuff

Listen
Need a pick-me-up? Something joyful that isn’t “Joy to the World”? Something to run, dance, or sing in the shower with? Kim English’s “Unspeakable Joy” is a masterpiece of pick-me-ups. “It’s very easy to be caught in circumstance, it’s even easier to break out in a dance.” Thank you, Kim English, for a mantra to start 2021 on a positive note.

If you stream music on Spotify, I’ve started a playlist called “Bill’s Good Stuff,” including music I’ve loved for a long time as well as things I’ve come across more recently. Feel free to add the playlist to your favorites! Bill’s Good Stuff Spotify Playlist

Read
In this week’s meditation, I used “Desire” by Alice Walker. I’ve come back to this poem over the last few years, but, I’m hearing it now, at the end of 2020, like a prayer for all of us for the new year. 

“Desire”
Alice Walker

My desire 
is always the same; wherever Life 
deposits me: 
I want to stick my toe
& soon my whole body
into the water. 
I want to shake out a fat broom
& sweep dried leaves
bruised blossoms
dead insects 
& dust. 
I want to grow
something. 
It seems impossible that desire 
can sometimes transform into devotion; 
but this has happened. 
And that is how I’ve survived:
how the hole 
I carefully tended
in the garden of my heart
grew a heart 
to fill it

Amen.