"Yes, I hold a Ph.D. in religion and literature, and I’ve tried to make it talk intelligibly about our polarizing culture and politics—important things! But my tired, tired heart is elsewhere… On the beach, with my son. In the sky with the literal dozens of bird species that live in my suburb. With avante garde heavy metal music and the sense that I’m finally figuring out why I love horror movies so much."
I don't have a Ph.D. but yeah that's where I am intellectually at this point.
I was feeling really guilty about not studying for the last few months but, honestly, it's been kind of great... I've developed a lot more faith in my own judgment and discernment. I could probably go back to studying now and be a lot better at it.
Lyle, your prose is both lyrical and and easy to read--a rare gift! I really enjoyed this. It's a great reminder that finding joy in our everyday lives is purpose enough.
This was great. I particularly liked the final section on the lesson of the adequacy of desire.
'We tell people to “follow their passions” for our own sake, because they are the most fun people to follow.' I have never thought about this framed quite this way, but I am going to ponder on this for a while. Thanks.
Thank you for reading, Timothy. Yeah, I was thinking recently about how half the reason I follow anyone's work anymore isn't because of their expertise, but because of their excitement, their "overwhelming question". There aren't enough of those lately.
So much joy and honesty here, with the mastery of the moment, at play on a beach, that's a kind of truth, especially with the young and the young part of ourselves.
"Yes, I hold a Ph.D. in religion and literature, and I’ve tried to make it talk intelligibly about our polarizing culture and politics—important things! But my tired, tired heart is elsewhere… On the beach, with my son. In the sky with the literal dozens of bird species that live in my suburb. With avante garde heavy metal music and the sense that I’m finally figuring out why I love horror movies so much."
I don't have a Ph.D. but yeah that's where I am intellectually at this point.
I was feeling really guilty about not studying for the last few months but, honestly, it's been kind of great... I've developed a lot more faith in my own judgment and discernment. I could probably go back to studying now and be a lot better at it.
Lyle, your prose is both lyrical and and easy to read--a rare gift! I really enjoyed this. It's a great reminder that finding joy in our everyday lives is purpose enough.
Sam, thank you! That means so much coming from you!!
I'll figure out the best way to bookmark this because it's something I ought to read in the future too. And then read it again.
Wonderfully writ.
Thank you, David, that's really kind of you, and I'm glad you found it worth hanging on to :)
It was a great joy to read, thank you! As many mentioned, your prose is wonderful.
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And “They’re seagulls, but whatever” ❤️
Thank you Vanya! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And I definitely get a lot of delight over how Rowan calls every bird a duck.
This was great. I particularly liked the final section on the lesson of the adequacy of desire.
'We tell people to “follow their passions” for our own sake, because they are the most fun people to follow.' I have never thought about this framed quite this way, but I am going to ponder on this for a while. Thanks.
Thank you for reading, Timothy. Yeah, I was thinking recently about how half the reason I follow anyone's work anymore isn't because of their expertise, but because of their excitement, their "overwhelming question". There aren't enough of those lately.
So much joy and honesty here, with the mastery of the moment, at play on a beach, that's a kind of truth, especially with the young and the young part of ourselves.
Thank you, Edward! Writing from a place of joy is new for me, and kind of hard... It means a lot to hear you say that.