4 (or 5) Things in the Life
7.10.25
I hope you enjoy this week’s public journal.
What am I listening to…
This week: Paul Simon.
I hope you all realize that these artists I’m currently listening to are not the same ones I’ve listened to in my past. It’s more about trying to “catch up ball.” And, I think I really caught this one.
If you don’t know anything about Simon, he started with Art Garfunkel in the '60s, making folk-rock classics like "The Sound of Silence." After they split in 1970, he went solo with hits like "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" “You can Call Me Al” and the groundbreaking "Graceland" album. He's been consistently writing smart fusion music for decades now.
Honestly, while it may not be his biggest hit, this is my favorite.
What am I reading…
About Eldering
The book is titled: Decenter Everything: The Unconventional Approach to Eldering in an Age of Immaturity
Here is a journal entry from this morning after reading one of the chapters:
“So far in the book, the author talks about the stunted maturity of many people in Western culture. Many people in their 50s and 60s are still wrestling with the same questions that an 18 or 20-year-old might have. They’re still trying to be the hero of every story and missing out on the potential of an expansive life.
Here’s an excerpt: ‘To repeat, psycho-socio-spiritual developmental arrest seems to be so common that we should not be surprised when the masses mistake eldering as an eternal heroic life-building saga centered on a single (monomythic) character: ‘me’, ‘my big goals’, ‘my wonderful purpose’, ‘my endless success’, ‘my numerous holidays’, ‘my important place in the family`, ‘my sacrifice’, ‘my winning team’, ‘my expansive plans’, ‘my troubled existence’, ‘my faith’, ‘my great knowledge’, ‘my victimhood’, etc.’”1
Ouch - 😣
From the book, I found this lovely poem by Robert Bly describing the decentered life:
It is not our job to remain whole.
We came to lose our leaves
Like the trees, and be born again,
Drawing up from the great roots.
What am I celebrating…
Birthdays for days! Robi’s is today. I read this poem earlier today and couldn’t help but think of her.
You are both the question and the answer,
the seeking and the finding,
the steady flame that makes a house a home,
a life, a sanctuary.
Happy Birthday, my love!
Something I am looking forward to…
My friend Michael Lee from Encounter Church in Mercer Island will be speaking at Immanuel this weekend.
He is truly an inspiring person to me, and I greatly look forward to him sharing his heart and life with our community on Sunday.
Immanuel meets at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays at 5508 N. Alberta St. in NW Spokane. Come if you can!
Something I am Amazed about…
Tomorrow night, Robi and I will be attending the album release of my daughter's new recordings. She has been writing, producing, and recording music for over two decades. Read the article below to get her discography.
The details of the show are: Karli Fairbanks: Stay Radiant Album Release Show with Silver Torches • Fri, July 11 at 7 pm • $15 • All ages • Placeholder Studios • 104 W. Third Ave. • karli-fairbanks.square.site
I say all of that along with this: I just saw this in one of our city's magazines, periodicals.
You can read the article in its entirety here.
Karli has and always will amaze me!
July is the center of summer and the crescendo of my favorite weather here in Spokane. I love the heat, and it is here. I am purring.
Be Peace, my Friends,
r
Tensen, David. Decenter Everything: The Unconventional Approach to Eldering in an Age of Immaturity (p. 50). (Function). Kindle Edition.
Sounds like you have a very talented daughter. Im listening to her as I read my emails.
I love hearing your thoughts about the music you are listening to… I think you are very clever and I can see how you influenced our kids towards music❤️
Thank you for the birthday wish and sorry I missed it on the day of ☺️
I think I may have to read the “ Eldering” book. Thanks thanks for keeping life interesting.!