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Jamie Leigh's avatar

Saw you on Mickey Z. The name of your sub reminded me of a book I have and love called The School Of Jesus Crucified, so I thought, hey that can’t be coincidence that I noticed your SS. So, I began reading the Kraken. Oh no, she is telling us to use AI for positive thinking! At best, how maudlin; and at worst how nihilistic that AI advice is. Doesn’t she know that? Talk about needing to “Call off thoughts awhile”. Whether thinking cynically, ruminating worriedly, or presuming rashly to judge, calling off thoughts is indeed simple yet sage advice. It affords one the opportunity to view reality and call on wisdom to assist in interpretation rather than allowing emotion and habit to create a false phantasm. Anyway, will keep you and your family in prayer. PS-Hopkins is my favorite poet. When I am feeling sorry for myself I call to mind Pied Beauty. Kind of like God's response to Job (which apparently I am obsessed with), Pied Beauty just reminds you to get off yourself-seek the glory of God.

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Regina's avatar

Thank you Jamie. I am so glad you wandered over here and commented too.

I looooove Pied Beauty as well. Years ago my small writing group decided to publish our own lit magazine.

We used a line from Hopkins to decide what the magazine would be like, i.e. what submissions we would publish. The line became our motto and guiding principle: "all things counter, original, spare and strange"

It is still, to me, the best way to describe the kind of writing I always want to read.

And amen to all you say about thoughts--half of them are rubbish and should be tossed!

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KB's avatar

Stop nailing it though! Thank you Regina for telling us what the true teacher teaches.

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Regina's avatar

Thank you KB!

As per Ben Franklin, "pain instructs".

Luckily we have other teachers just as wise but more gentle.

I don't know that I've successfully nailed anything, but I have stuck the landing here and there.

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Bird's Brain's avatar

Loved this one! Suffering school teaches yet another lesson that's ours for life.

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Regina's avatar

Why thank you Bird's Brain! So happy to have you as a reader : )

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