This Morning's Message from the Universe

Every day I get an email "from the Universe" (www.tut.com). This morning's was especially good:

[QoS], it's the way you think. That's your purpose. It's never been about what work you choose, what gifts you develop, or what niche you fill - let these be for your pleasure. But to think as only you can think, which will lead to feelings that only you can feel. From which connections will be made, lives will be changed, and worlds will come tumbling into existence.

This is why you're here.

Thanks,
The Universe

Mom-Stuff

A woman in my office is having a baby early next month, and has been catching a lot of teasing about how her life will change, especially where sleep is concerned. She keeps saying "I know!" and I smile quietly and think "My dear, you have no idea" -- because that's the nature of initiatory experiences: you really don't know, can't know, until you've experienced it.

But the primary point of this entry is that it doesn't stop once the child learns to sleep all night. Because there is no guarantee any child will sleep all night. One of the reasons it's difficult for me to get homework done is that putting my daughter to bed does not necessarily mean that I'm "done with her" for the evening. Because sometimes she wants another drink of water, or an extra hug, or wants to chat. . . and while I try to set a healthy balance (for both of us) between setting limits on bedtime and being flexible to meet her emotional need to have me respond (since we don't spend quite as much quality time together as I would like), I do feel the need to answer her in some way when she calls out. And even if I hardened my heart and didn't respond, her calling out would interrupt my train of thought.

Then there's the middle of the night, when she has a nightmare and either needs me to come over and just give her a hug or -- sometimes -- put her in bed with me.

Studying earlier in the evening is also tough. She wants to be near me, and even if I manage to get it into her nine year-old awareness that she needs to be quiet so Mom can study, she doesn't get that padding silently over to me and laying a fresh piece of art on top of the book I'm working from is also an interruption. And how I can be grouchy when she's presented me with a gift like that?

It's an emotionally complicated place right now: wanting to take my time for myself, to do what I need to do, and also to be present to her both physically and emotionally. . . and to get enough sleep, because I'm one of those people who really can't function without at least six or seven solid hours.

More Things In Heaven and Earth

Did you know that sometimes galaxies collide?
I didn't. That didn't stop me from using the idea as the basis for my personal myth saga.
When I found out, 20-some years later, that galaxies do collide, I was stunned.

But they do.
See ---









Are those within these star systems aware of the cosmic collision? Or are the distances involved so vast, and the dance so slow, that it will take generations for anyone to realize that the sky is changing, that the stars aren't where they used to be? Which societies are becoming neighbors as the heavens move? Will it make any difference to them? Will they ever know each other?

And if they do discover each other, because of unprecedented proximity, what will it mean to them?


Thanks to iswari for posting a photo of Saturn today, and lifting my thoughts to the stars.

Colliding galaxies photos from Astronomy Picture of the Day.

Diana and Joss

A movie version of Wonder Woman is in the works.
Joss Whedon is going to direct.
I am happy.

(Found the article here)


Paper.
Must finish paper.
It really complicates things when the work tool is also the greatest excuse for procrastination.
I need to turn off the wireless card, or something. . .