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blogging101, Faith and Writing, Journaling, Quotes, Ranier Maria Rilke, Reflections, Uncategorized, Writing 101
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I’m constantly amazed at how books can fall into your hands at exactly the right time. To parrot Gandalf in the movie version of Fellowship of the Rings, “A book is never late! … Nor is it early, it arrives precisely when it needs to…” (And no, that quote is NOT found in the book!) That certainly seems to be the case for me with Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet as I’ve struggled through the changes happening in our family’s life right now.
Rilke is a big believer in letting life happen to you…
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What should I say about your tendency to doubt your struggle or to harmonize your inner and outer life? My wish is ever strong that you find enough patience within you and enough simplicity to have faith. May you gain more and more trust in what is challenging, and confidence in the solitude you bear. Let life happen to you. Believe me: life is in the right in any case. (Furnborg, Jonsered, Sweden, November 4, 1904)
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If they had included the young man’s letters in the book, I’d bet my sweet bippy he would have whined just like me!
I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to do exactly that: harmonize my inner and outer life. I keep wondering how in the world I’ve been “fortunate” enough to be that way. (That’s sarcasm, in case you missed it…) My sister ridicules me for being a “deep thinker.” But somewhere I’ve gotten the idea that our philosophy is SUPPOSED to gel with our actions. So I don’t figure my attitude is going to change any time soon.
I did find this paragraph encouraging if for no other reason than I realized I’m not the only one who wanders around their psyche, their heart cave, seeking to literally “pull themselves together.” And though I determined months ago that was an impossibility, here I am still on that same quest.
I love this book. It’s like sitting down talking to an old friend — a very HONEST old friend. Maybe a Gandalf sort! And I guess there are a lot worse ways I could be spending my time. I know one thing, right now his advice is resounding in my heart as our daughter and her family move home and we all adjust: Let life happen to you. Believe me: life is in the right in any case.
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Picture Source:
Book — www.hotdog.hu
Dandelion — RightsInfo
Life — Pinterest
Impromptu Promptlings 
You offer such great suggestions for books to read. I love Rilke too but never picked that book up. (And I call myself a poet!) I read a lovely poem this morning by Thich Nhat Hanh that sort of compliments your topic; well, it is at least quite uplifting: The Good News, http://www.ayearofbeinghere.com/2014/03/thich-nhat-hanh-good-news.html
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I will sally forth at once and have a look!!! Thank you! 😀
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Arms to hug your children… Especially my grandkids who are now moved to Utah. Lovely thoughts.
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Great thoughts as always my friend. Ill have to add this to the reading list
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Hey J! Good to see you. Loved your letter this month! I think you might find this book inspirational. You’re really intuitive and would totally get where he’s coming from. It’s very short. My copy has like 80 pages. BIG print. 😀
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“But somewhere I’ve gotten the idea that our philosophy is SUPPOSED to gel with our actions.”
Too right – but how many of us manage it, I wonder…
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None of us, truth be told. Though a lot of us do try awful hard, don’t we… 🙂
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Indeed, we do… sigh…
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1. Sorry to learn of your struggles. 2. Books – good medicine. They know stuff.
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I smiled at your comment. I LOVE NCIS: New Orleans. One thing NCIS agent Dwayne Pride always says on there is “GO! Learn things!” I can’t begin to understand why it tickles me so much, but it does. ALMOST as much as the character Rear Admiral Albert Jethro “A.J.” Chegwidden, JAGC, USN (Ret.) [played by John M. Jackson] from the TV series JAG [which was cancelled in 2005 after 12 seasons] turned up on NCIS: Los Angeles and APPEARS to be joining the cast as a replacement for Miguel Ferrer who just passed away. I was in love with Chegwidden for YEARS and am so tickled to see his character revived.
Yes, I know this has NOTHING TO DO with my post. I’m just so excited I NEEDED to say all that!!! 😀 😀 😀
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Speak on, sister!!
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LOL I’m a die-hard Navy supporter.
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Oh my – I adore this book! I found it in the library of the retreat centre I used to work at, but haven’t gotten around to sorting myself my own copy. I just love it, and like you, felt like Rilke was really speaking to me. Such wisdom transcends time…well, obviously, because otherwise advice written 100 years ago wouldn’t have the deep resonance that this book still has. Thanks for this lovely reminder 🙂 Blessings, Harula xxx
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I love Rilke’s writings. He can be kind of all over the place like me and I go, “Huh?” But when we connect, it’s like fireworks.
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