Hello Friends, This week, I'm thinking about scarcity and generosity and how those two things are often set up in opposition. That's partially true, of course. On the large scale, a lack of generosity creates scarcity, as wealth and resources are hoarded by a few. However, it is often those with the least who are the most generous of all. This is reflected in the old quip about poor people passing around the same twenty dollars. Sometimes one person's need is greater in the moment, and the other person has a bit more to spare. I'm thinking right now about my friends in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, dealing with hurricanes. I'm thinking about the people around the globe who don't have clean water, or ready access to food. I'm thinking about all of those impacted by missiles and bombs. You might be one of those people. I'm also thinking of the scores of people showing up to help, including some who barely have homes right now. You might be one of those people, too. The human impulse toward generosity is strong. Generosity is a form of deep caring. Generosity—sharing what we have—is a balm for heart and soul. Generosity connects us to the flow of creativity and life. When we unclench our hands and hearts, we connect. In my experience, that sense of connection always creates something worthwhile. The more centered I feel, the less anxious and in the grips of scarcity I feel. The more open I feel, the more generous I become. When I'm closed off from generosity, there is usually some underlying fear. How does that work in your life? What is your experience of tension and flow? What is your relationship to scarcity? What unlocks your generosity? And how does that make you feel? I'm talking the smallest acts of generosity: Holding a door for someone. Offering a listening ear. Buying someone lunch if you can afford it. Sharing skills or resources with neighbors and friends. This week, whether you are giving or receiving (or both!), I wish you some generosity, and a balm for your heart. Best wishes — Thorn News:For the month of October, 50% of proceeds from ThornCoyleBooks will go to hurricane relief. That includes my oracle deck and ebooks. Love cats in fiction? I'm part of a pay-what-you-can ebook bundle that starts at $5. A percentage goes to Best Friends Animal Society. There are ten books in this marvelous bundle: Cattitude StoryBundle
|
Hello Friends, Years ago, I used to boast that the only times I’d been to Las Vegas were while passing through en route to protest at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site. I can’t say that anymore. These days, I go to Vegas far more often than I ever wanted to, which was never. I don’t go to shows while there. I don’t gamble. And since my brain injury, I don’t even drink alcohol. Also, I’m an introvert who dislikes crowds and noise, cigarette smoke, and desert air. I know some people love it, but for...
Hello Friends, The day before the big US election, I went for a walk as usual. A flash caught my eye. It was a quartz crystal, resting on the sidewalk, autumn sun shining through it. The crystal cast a shadow that looked like a stretched out crescent moon. It was beautiful. After snapping a photo, I thanked the crystal—yes, I’m more than a bit of an animist—and settled it against a bit of moss, figuring it would be safer there. I keep thinking about that crystal. I keep thinking about how it...
Hello Friends, This newsletter is going out on Dia de los Muertes, just after Halloween and Samhain. I hope that however you honor this season you are well, and not feeling too overwhelmed. A lot of people are overwhelmed right now. I know that my own focus isn't the best, though I'm enjoying the rain that just arrived, and the novel I'm currently working on, as well as the two non-fiction projects currently on my desk. When I find my attention fracturing, or the doom scrolling beginning, I...