This was quietly beautiful—funny, grounded, and filled with that kind of wisdom that sneaks up on you. I especially loved the idea of “beginner’s mind” not as a hack for productivity, but as a spiritual posture. Your reflections on aging, authorship, and humility landed deeply. Also: the image of your short-legged “low rider” joyfully running beside you is going to stay with me—such a sweet metaphor for unlikely momentum. Thank you for this reminder to move, to soften, and to begin again.
This is great inspiration for me in so many ways! Thank you so very much. I work as a consultant and relate to the pressure to always be the expert. Two of my strengths are bringing fresh eyes and 30+ years of experience. As soon as I read the phrase "beginner's mindset" I could see immediate applicability to me work. I am nursing an age related back and leg injury and as I resume movement think this is a wise approach.
Hi Ruth. Love this. I, too, am "between projects." Not my fave place to be! What's been helping is Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Down the Bones." An old book but such a good one. Unsurprisingly, she's deeply influenced by her Zen practice. 💗💗
I have encountered all manner of new injuries in my early 50’s from doing v little that could warrant such injury… this has meant being unable to run since late 2023. Will be interested to see your experience returning again at this age.
This was quietly beautiful—funny, grounded, and filled with that kind of wisdom that sneaks up on you. I especially loved the idea of “beginner’s mind” not as a hack for productivity, but as a spiritual posture. Your reflections on aging, authorship, and humility landed deeply. Also: the image of your short-legged “low rider” joyfully running beside you is going to stay with me—such a sweet metaphor for unlikely momentum. Thank you for this reminder to move, to soften, and to begin again.
This is great inspiration for me in so many ways! Thank you so very much. I work as a consultant and relate to the pressure to always be the expert. Two of my strengths are bringing fresh eyes and 30+ years of experience. As soon as I read the phrase "beginner's mindset" I could see immediate applicability to me work. I am nursing an age related back and leg injury and as I resume movement think this is a wise approach.
Hi Ruth. Love this. I, too, am "between projects." Not my fave place to be! What's been helping is Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Down the Bones." An old book but such a good one. Unsurprisingly, she's deeply influenced by her Zen practice. 💗💗
Been reading Water for Elephants following your last post and it's excellent. Yay banned books!
Also, I feel like every time you start a new project you're a beginner. Maybe you have technique, but research wise, a total beginner! :D
Thank you for the beginner’s mind approach. I need that, as I am two years into a new phase and often feel unfocused. ❤️
Beautiful post. Say hello to Meg for me.
I have encountered all manner of new injuries in my early 50’s from doing v little that could warrant such injury… this has meant being unable to run since late 2023. Will be interested to see your experience returning again at this age.