“We never sit anything out. We are cups constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is knowing how to tip ourselves over, and let the beautiful stuff out.” –Ray Bradbury
This morning I finished reading the book Theo of Golden–a beautifully written story of kindness and anonymous generosity. I bought it in paperback form after reading about the author, Allen Levi, through a story in the Washington Post shared by my friend, Suzanne Kingsbury. Levi is a fellow singer/songwriter, a few years older than me, living on family acreage in Georgia. This was his first book.
For the past couple of years, I have had this idea floating around in my head about writing a book. Just because. I’ve also had the good fortune to develop friendships with other writers who inspire me not only to write, but to write from my body, telling the stories that are oftentimes a revelation to me. Through My Sunday Best, I’ve been practicing doing just that.
“It is a wise writer who knows his own subconscious. And not only knows it but lets it speak as it and it alone has sensed it and shaped it to its own truth.”–Ray Bradbury
So, I know the first question that might be popping up now is, “What is the book about?” I don’t know, but I have some ideas. I think it’s a memoir woven with fragments of songs–time-traveling messengers that evoke memories, stir our emotions, and offer small invitations to dance and sing, while the music is still playing.
Pretty vague, I know, but not knowing is the best part.
Right now, I’m filling the sandbox, writing 1,000 words a day, in hopes of building a sandcastle–thank you, Ray Bradbury, for this timely advice. I’m also reading great books, which is like mixing bits of shiny mica into the sand.
In the big picture, my intent in writing a book is to tip myself over and let the beautiful stuff run out.
In the meantime, I’ll share the books and experiences that are inspiring me along the way. However, I probably won’t share the chapters or pages of the book, just a few postcards from the journey. And a song.
A few of my favorite quotes from Alan Levy’s, Theo of Golden
“for anything to be good, truly good, there must be love in it. I’m not even sure I know fully what that means, but the older I get, the more I believe it. There must be love for the gift itself, love for the subject being depicted or the story being told, and love for the audience. Whether the art is sculpture, farming, teaching, lawmaking, medicine, music, or raising a child, if love is not in it — at the very heart of it — it might be skillful, marketable, or popular but I doubt it is truly good. Nothing is what it’s supposed to be if love is not at the core.”
“It is another of life’s great mysteries that sadness and joy can coexist so compatibly with one another.”
“Motion is lotion.’ Old people need to move around, so they don’t get stiff. That’s why this will be good for you. Motion is lotion for your joints.”
“I wonder if, like newborn children, we go through our entire lives looking for a face, longing for a particular gaze that calms and fills us, that loves and welcomes us, that recognizes and runs to greet us
Fill My Cup song excerpt
Fill my cup to the top Right up to the brim With the beauty of this world I’m living in Taking time to listen With all of my attention I won’t be coming back this way again When we meet, I’ll offer you a drink Water from a silver cup That will fill you up with all that is good Fill My Cup song link
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