Missing Paris... and some good news

This photo was taken at the Musee Marmottan in Paris

and seemed appropriate as a small tribute to the city 

and its many angels. 

What a week, there and all over the planet.

But little pieces of good news keep popping up in unexpected places.

A friend in Amsterdam came out to her bicycle

to find a hand-knitted scarf wrapped in plastic in her basket with a note: 

"For whoever finds this, open me, I'm a present!

 I'm not lost, but something someone took pleasure making and placing here for you.

 Just doing something nice for someone else." 

And right here at a local grocery,

a friend's husband posted that the gentleman behind him

paid for his family's groceries.

Everywhere angels remind us

that good will persevere

even in the face of so much treacherous hate. 

**************

And in my own backyard,

a little good news on the writing front.

My very first piece of short fiction to be published

 won second prize in Gemini Magazine

which you can find here.

*************

Let's keep spreading more good news... 

and random acts of sparkling sweetness. 

***

Musee Marmottan

2, rue Louis Boilly

75016 Paris

33.1.44.96.50.33

Open Tues-Sun 10am-6pm

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Teaser Tuesdays~ Liz Gilbert's Big Magic

Hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm.

Here's how to play:

*Grab your current read

*Open to a  page

*Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

*Please no spoilers!

*Share the title and author.

Have not done one of these in a long time but I have so enjoyed Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic, I had to share.
In her latest book, Gilbert talks about fear and creativity, how to relegate one to the back seat and how to seduce the other. There are so many great passages in this book, I couldn't even begin to describe the many ways I love it. But let's just say she has given me a whole new way to look at, invite, talk to and interact with Creativity. And here is one way to deal with Fear. Since Gilbert believes Fear should not necessarily be completely abolished as it does have its place in our lives, whenever starting a new project (or doing anything interesting), she has a talk with Fear...and it goes like this:

"Dearest Fear,
Creativity and I are going on a road trip together. I understand you'll be joining us... because you always do. I acknowledge that you believe you have an important job to do in my life and that you take your job seriously. Apparently your job is to induce complete panic whenever I'm about to do anything interesting. And may I say you are superb at your job. So by all means, keep doing your job if you feel you must. But I will also be doing my job on this road trip which is to work hard and stay focused. And Creativity will be doing its job which is to remain stimulating and inspiring. There's plenty of room in the vehicle for all of us so make yourself at home but understand this:

Creativity and I are the only ones who will be making any decisions along the way. I recognize and respect that you are a part of this family so I will never exclude you from our activities. But still, your suggestions will never be followed. You're allowed to have a seat and you're allowed to have a voice but you are not allowed to have a vote. You're not allowed to touch the road maps. You're not allowed to suggest detours. You're not allowed to fiddle with the temperature. Dude, you are not even allowed to touch the radio. But above all else, my dear old familiar friend, you are absolutely forbidden to drive."