Turning fifty feels so monumental that I’ve put pressure on myself to come up with something profound to say about it. I suppose a list of life lessons would be apt. Or maybe a retrospective that sums up the totality of half a century with some pithy one-liners wrapped in a witty little bow. Neither of those things appeal to me right now, though.
Poetry
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[POEM] 1.19.24
Learning to love myself Is an act of reason. And now, I shall finally Live. Disentangled From my oppressor; Gloriously perfect In my imperfection. Heart open like a violet rose In a passionate kiss with a Midday pause. The only sound, A fat bumblebee In a drunken ecstasy. I sit…
Creativity
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On Building (and sustaining) Creative Momentum
I spent the month of December offline (a practice that always gives me room to think and grow) during which time it occurred to me that the missing ingredient for my creative success is momentum.
Feminism
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On Motherhood
The choice to become a mother is a sacred, inalienable right that every person capable of bearing a child deserves to exercise when, where, and how is best for them and the child.
Fiction
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The 15 Best Books I Read in 2023
My friend and fellow word nerd Sarah Orman likes to do an annual roundup of the books she reads, so I told her I’d try to take a stab at it this year myself. But first, a short story about rediscovering reading:
Humor
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The 2023 Festivus Airing of the Grievances
FESTIVUS MUBARAK, MOTHERFUCKERS.
It’s time once again for the Airing of the Grievances. In the immortal words of Mr. Costanza, “I got a lot of problems with you people, and now you’re gonna hear about it.”
This year tried to kill me. But guess what bitches? I’M STILL ALIVE AND KICKING AND IT’S TIME TO UNLOAD THAT WHICH OPPRESSES MY SPIRIT. So grab some cocoa or whatever shit you like to drink and buckle up. I’m not even trying to be nice right now.
Creativity
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Writing as an Embodied Practice
After several months of valiantly trying to turn out a consistent word count I realized I had jumped into the deep end of the pool before I knew how to swim. This is not unusual for me. I’m known for foolishly running headlong into impossible challenges. But this time, something was different. Writing a novel isn’t just a random creative impulse, it’s a lifelong dream. I was crestfallen to discover that I sucked at it.
Interview with Rose Aslan on Rahma With Rose Podcast
Last month I had the immense pleasure of being interviewed by Dr. Rose Aslan, host of the Rahma With Rose podcast. I hope you’ll have a listen – especially if you are a person who has struggled with religious and/or spiritual abuse. Listen to the episode here.
Zen
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The Moon is in the Sky
We are all like Chiyono to some degree or another. Carrying around a rickety bucket, anxious that it will break at any moment, and convinced that we hold the moon in our hands. But of course, this is a lie. The moon is not in the bucket at all.
Mental Health
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Life is Good.
What I realized this year is that the purpose of life is simply to be alive. Fully. At all times, in all moments. To meet each living thing with respect and camaraderie, recognizing that we are all struggling in some way or another; offering relief without cost; receiving support without shame.