The Campfire - Page 10

Mary Anne in TX · 02-14-2009, 05:13 AM

I do think that cancer seeks to dwell at the center of our being. I have been reading Rachel Remen's Kitchen Table Wisdom and loving how it makes be stop and think and feel. It's about the best thing I've read in so long. I too had found myself staying way to long in that place where cancer was the purpose and guidance for all. I am reading this book so differently than I do most. As an ol' librarian who used to read a book fast and furiously so I could get it on the shelf, this is a wonderful turtle's pace! I read a few pages and spend the day taking in Rachel's wisdom and latest story. Having lived with a therapist for so long, I had shied away from "advice" books during the past 3 years, but find this one marvelous.
I love coming to the campfire to visit. It takes me to another place in time and space. We've had very warm weather of late and it seems our winter was only 3 days this year. And I love nothing better than a fire with friends.
Add another marshmellow, will ya?

ElaineM · 02-14-2009, 01:04 PM

Thanks for sharing the book with us at the campfire.

ElaineM · 02-15-2009, 04:14 PM

Just dropping by to warm up and throw a log onto the fire to keep it going. Does anyone else have good books with wisdom to share with us?

Bill · 02-15-2009, 08:18 PM

Hi Gang! How's everyone doing tonight? Lemme poke the fire a bit.....Elaine, and all, it might not be quite what you were thinking, but one of my favorites has always been, "The Prophet", by Kahlil Gibran. It's one of two books I carry in my survival pack.

ElaineM · 02-15-2009, 08:33 PM

Hey Bill,
I read that when I was a student at the University of Hawaii. Please share your reflections of the book.

Jackie07 · 02-15-2009, 11:04 PM

Yah, Big Brother Bill, please share your view with us. I read it in college also - the translated copy (in Chinese)was very popular among college students there back then.

I wonder if it is still popular now.

ps. Just curious. What's the other book that you carry in your survival pack?

ElaineM · 02-16-2009, 04:00 PM

I'm curious too. Maybe Bill would like to read one or two of his very favorite parts to us around the campfire.

vickie h · 02-16-2009, 07:16 PM

Ahhh, c'mon Bill, Read us a story (and make it snappy). Love, Vickie

hutchibk · 02-17-2009, 12:59 AM

Bill - I LOVE Kahlil Gibran... more beautiful words have never been written. I turn to his writings for wisdom and comfort constantly.

Sigh - The Prophet and sparkling embers from the campfire. Beautiful.

freyja · 02-17-2009, 02:58 PM

I stoke the fire and put some Maple wood on it. Here's some inspiration for you. As a dancer, my hero is Hanya Holm:

"What you are capable of is so marvelous that it is almost impossible to imagine what you could do if you achieved it. Don't say you can never get there. Get as far as you can with a full heart and with full conviction, then try to drive on a little further. To achieve something takes strength. You are not born with that strength, you have to gain it. Don't look at your exercises as something to make your muscles hurt, but as something that will help you to improve yourself. Know that you are a human being, that you are able to take life as it is. Life is not an escape. It is not an excuse. It is not idle cowardliness. You must think, "I can do more this year than I did last year because I have grown meanwhile." Don't dull yourself with copying something or someone, remember that sometimes you absorb much more through your pores than through your head."

vickie h · 02-17-2009, 05:37 PM

Very beautifully said. Thank you, Celeste for you inspiring posts.
Love, Vickie ooohhhh, and I love maple wood!

hutchibk · 02-17-2009, 07:23 PM

Can I add some piñon to the fire?

ElaineM · 02-17-2009, 08:08 PM

Beautiful inspirations everybody. You can add anything to our campfire, except things that cause explosions.
Smile.
We all have something good to share with each other.

Bill · 02-17-2009, 09:30 PM

Beautiful words, Celeste. Jackie, the other Book I carry in my pack is one of my Bibles. A few years ago, I began carrying some bird seed with me whenever I go out on one of my solo outdoor excursions, (just to see what I could attract and observe, ok, I'm a bird-nerd, all right?) and I considered carrying a Peterson field guide, but I didn't want to turn my survival pack into a book bag, so I drew the line at that one. Luckily, the only birds I observed on that trip were ones that I knew. On day one I had a pesky American bald eagle swooping the front of my kayak while I was trying to nail a gar that kept "sniffing" at one of my lures, and on day two, an osprey kept diving for breakfast right off of my campsite during my "quiet" time at sunrise. That was a pretty cool trip, actually.

harrie · 02-17-2009, 11:36 PM

If I was to break out a book from my pack at the campfire, it would be The Art Of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace by Jack Kornfield

hutchibk · 02-18-2009, 12:37 AM

Laying by the fire in my sleeping bag on my luxurious air mattress with my tempurpedic pillow and cabana boys feeding me grapes, I would choose to read Born Free, Living Free and Forever Free, my favorite tear-jerking true stories of all time.

ElaineM · 02-18-2009, 09:29 PM

I can read "Chocolate for a Woman's Soul: 77 Stories to Feed Your Spirit and Warm Your Heart" again and again whenever I feel comfortable in my blanket at night or relaxing in in a lawn chair. I always carry a Reader's Digest in my bag. I do so much reading for my health, but I like inspirational and inspiring works when I have time to relax with a cup of tea.

freyja · 02-18-2009, 10:44 PM

Here's some logs for Believe51 and Ed. Anxious to hear from you two.

Believe51 · 02-19-2009, 01:56 PM

Here I am, Here I am! Thanks for the log, seems the only thing I am burning lately is the midnight oil....Uggh! Do not think that I have not been visiting the campfire, I have. I must make sure you are all behaving, or as I say....being have. Kind of a cute use of improper English I have been saying since I was a small tike. Sometimes I have bouts of sadness that I do not like to share at the fire and I know that is why the fire exists. There are days that I am not as positive as I usually am and do not want that to be contagious. Hope you understand.

Life is good but busy. Last night was a late night and I did think of you all here. The stars were bright in the sky as I went outside to get some air. I made wishes for all of us upon those vibrant stars. The fog rolled in and was thick and heavy, I actually watched it disappear. When it did, I envisioned that it was all the cancer that we are suffering from.

Marie is back to her old self, I have thown in the fears that I have right into that fire. It feels so comforting to come here and feel embraced and secure. I am breathing and awaiting some very important test results. And as mentioned before, I will not hyperventilate again (hahaha).

I brought some homemade pretzels and made some of my special marmarlade for us all. Tonight I will be making fresh bread and rolls. If I need help with baking do you think you could give me a hand?? Even if you are not a top notch baker I could sprinkle some water on your face and splash a bit of flour so it would stick. No one would know the difference! Be our secret. Sshhhh! Love you all>>Believe51

ElaineM · 02-19-2009, 05:41 PM

I will help with the baking !! Nothing like hot fresh bread out of the oven. I can smell it already. I promise I won't eat much. I will save some for everybody else.
We can go to the campire after baking and throw our fears into the fire,so they can burn. Then our fears will go with smoke from the fire to heaven where they will disappear.