Some Advice I Once Gave Myself

I’ve been journaling for decades. Sometimes paragraphs. Sometimes sentences. Sometimes a light word salad.

I’ve now been prosing much of that journaling over the last ten years. I like seeing it take shape. I like the invitation to find brevity and commonness.

Here’s a recent insight (which is to say, a familiar insight that keeps coming round — a bit like a dog faithfully retrieving the tennis ball tossed in the field).

Think of it as game plan. Maybe for the day, because, well, it’s today. Maybe for the week, some lingering. Maybe for each time the joyful dog that is Life returns with wagging tail and spitty drool to retrieve one more toss).

The basics,
they come ‘round, pretty often,
to give needed advice.

Most often, gentle.
Sometimes a slap.

“Trust your gut.”
“Be kind.”
“Stay clear, simple.”
Sometimes, “Fuck it.”

I suppose I oughta listen better.