“The secret of life is right under our nose!”- Dan Brûlée
I’m so happy that you had the opportunity to unplug yourself from this madness. We all must take time pause , relax and breathe if we’re going to survive.
What a lovely and admirable essay. Few can so well articulate what we feel, and fewer still point out the basic madness of the relentless need to prove oneself worthy via the accumulation of more and more. When you helpfully suggested, Dr. Glaude, that we take a break, stop and smell the roses, I looked around the little front room I've been spring cleaning and generally spiffing up this week and had a sort of opening based on a sense of new possibilities. I think I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, and so I asked myself this paramount question: Who is it who did all that work and who is it that appreciates the resulting beauty, in an almost impersonal way? Surely not the person whose value lies in being a homeowner--no, not that person, who has withered away over the decades of a long life--and not the person fearful that someone might look askance at any dust bunnies lingering through April. Not her either. She is fading fast these days, too. So it's someone else, someone who loves beauty for beauty's sake, loves herself for helping to create a little of it, someone aware and appreciative of the ebb and the flow of life. A kissing cousin, maybe, to that Holy One. We need your reminders of who we are, what and why we most truly love. God bless.
I have gone to Paris for my birthday several times which is in the fall and always loved that season but have wondered what Spring is like. So happy you enjoyed the trip. France is my favorite country.
Spring finally here in Philadelphia. Just sitting in a park in the sunshine and noticing the first crocuses while reading this was such a great moment of stepping back and breathing. Thanks!
Ever since I read your book “Begin Again”, in which you described Baldwin’s concept of the need for an “Elsewhere” for those with the anvil on their chests, I have been haunted by the knowledge that Elsewhere is essential for so many I see engaged in the hard work. This essay brought that to mind. Every time I see someone shining light on truth, I whisper a prayer that they have their Elsewhere. Bless you, Dr Glaude, in this work. Thankful to hear of what you found in Paris.
I’m so glad that the Lord blessed you to get away from this heavy burden place to breathe deeply and be appreciated for some days. I see that you work hard to speak exalted language to people. You’re a good brother to do the hard work as you do ‘weekly’.
Oh, I have to borrow this line: "...the weight of a required witness..." that just hit hard. Yes. Forced witness? It's that part. Every. Day. No way to move away from it all. Yeah. Thanks for the reminder. If I could book a trip... I would. Instead, I'll listen to music today for bit or sit by the beach at lunch and try to take a break as best I can - Thank you.
Dr. Eddie,
“The secret of life is right under our nose!”- Dan Brûlée
I’m so happy that you had the opportunity to unplug yourself from this madness. We all must take time pause , relax and breathe if we’re going to survive.
What a lovely and admirable essay. Few can so well articulate what we feel, and fewer still point out the basic madness of the relentless need to prove oneself worthy via the accumulation of more and more. When you helpfully suggested, Dr. Glaude, that we take a break, stop and smell the roses, I looked around the little front room I've been spring cleaning and generally spiffing up this week and had a sort of opening based on a sense of new possibilities. I think I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, and so I asked myself this paramount question: Who is it who did all that work and who is it that appreciates the resulting beauty, in an almost impersonal way? Surely not the person whose value lies in being a homeowner--no, not that person, who has withered away over the decades of a long life--and not the person fearful that someone might look askance at any dust bunnies lingering through April. Not her either. She is fading fast these days, too. So it's someone else, someone who loves beauty for beauty's sake, loves herself for helping to create a little of it, someone aware and appreciative of the ebb and the flow of life. A kissing cousin, maybe, to that Holy One. We need your reminders of who we are, what and why we most truly love. God bless.
I have gone to Paris for my birthday several times which is in the fall and always loved that season but have wondered what Spring is like. So happy you enjoyed the trip. France is my favorite country.
Thanks for taking us along. Blessings.
Spring finally here in Philadelphia. Just sitting in a park in the sunshine and noticing the first crocuses while reading this was such a great moment of stepping back and breathing. Thanks!
Ever since I read your book “Begin Again”, in which you described Baldwin’s concept of the need for an “Elsewhere” for those with the anvil on their chests, I have been haunted by the knowledge that Elsewhere is essential for so many I see engaged in the hard work. This essay brought that to mind. Every time I see someone shining light on truth, I whisper a prayer that they have their Elsewhere. Bless you, Dr Glaude, in this work. Thankful to hear of what you found in Paris.
We go to France once or twice a year-just LOVE it!
I’m so glad that the Lord blessed you to get away from this heavy burden place to breathe deeply and be appreciated for some days. I see that you work hard to speak exalted language to people. You’re a good brother to do the hard work as you do ‘weekly’.
Oh, I have to borrow this line: "...the weight of a required witness..." that just hit hard. Yes. Forced witness? It's that part. Every. Day. No way to move away from it all. Yeah. Thanks for the reminder. If I could book a trip... I would. Instead, I'll listen to music today for bit or sit by the beach at lunch and try to take a break as best I can - Thank you.
"....that we simply don’t want to live like this anymore."
Amen, Eddie.
I’m heading back to Paris in August👍🏽. So looking forward to it.💯
Amen!