Category: misc/personal

ruskin on the highest reward for a [wo]man’s toil

The highest reward for a man’s toil is not what he gets for it but what he becomes by it. (John Ruskin)
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love this. quite a bit of a paradigm shift. rather than think of success in terms of how our work is perceived by the world (how much recognition we get for it or what material rewards it produces), we should perhaps focus on who we have become (or r becoming) by virtue of what we do. that’s a much better gauge of “success.”

John Steinbeck on Falling in Love: A 1958 Letter

First — if you are in love — that’s a good thing — that’s about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don’t let anyone make it small or light to you.

Second — There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you — of kindness and consideration and respect — not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had. More here.

happy 2012!

i would like to wish my dear family, friends and compadres a delightful new year! may all ur wishes come true in 2012.
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“I Got Kin” by Hafiz (translated by Daniel Ladinsky)

Plant
So that your own heart
Will grow.

Love
So God will think,
“Ahhhhhh,
I got kin in that body!
I should start inviting that soul over
For coffee and
Rolls.”

Sing
Because this is a food
Our starving world
Needs.

Laugh
Because that is the purest
Sound.
…

Amaya Bar & Grill – Southeast Quadrant, Rochester

last week had lunch at amaya’s with my husband. had lamb kebabs, with a vegetable bhaji, samosas and yummy naans. for dessert had tiny chocolate samosas filled with coconut, served with ice cream. delish! the restaurant belongs to two dear friends – brilliant doctors who wanted to bring some sophisticated indian/pakistani/bengali fusion cuisine to rochester. pls check it out. open for dinner and lunch.

more here.

ADELE – Hometown Glory

so my son has been making these cds for me, for years. they’re full of music he’s into at that moment, from the beatles to adele to bands i have never heard of. i listen to the cds in my car, on my long drives around ny, and my head is filled with music he likes. it’s not easy to speak about emotions to 16 year old boys but i’ll take a risk anyway. i love u. thank u.