Random Bookshelf Readings

[Anne Westlund]

Random Bookshelf Readings

(A Rainbow of Books by Dawn Endico, Flickr.com)

 

 

 

Rules:

1. Pick a book from your bookshelf

2. Close your eyes and ask a question.

3. Pick a passage at random.

4. Post passage.

5. Respond to your own or anyone else's reading, if you have the time.

 

Anyone can play!!

[Anne Westlund]

Here's my reading for today.

 

Random Bookshelf Reading 22

Question:  Today? (Tell me about today?)

Answer:  "Aphrodite

What happened to her at an early age to make this archetype dominate her personality?  Was she treated like the favored child and spoiled for her innocent alluring behavior?  Did she live in a culture where women were encouraged to be open and giving?  Was she sexually abused and is now acting out her abuse unconsciously by sleeping around and degrading herself?"(p.27)

From 45 Master Characters:  Mythic Models for Creating Original Characters by Victoria Lynn Schmidt.

Disclaimer:  Readings are for entertainment purposes only.  You (the person reading the Random Bookshelf Readings) are solely responsible for actions taken based on these readings; neither Anne Westlund or The Divine Life Google Group and its members are liable.  These readings are from my personal bookshelves (not sourced from the internet) and only one paragraph from each book will be posted, in rotating order (up to two times a year for some books).  Any questions or comments, please reply to this post. ~Anne Westlund

[F]

My "find' is: "The world your work describes is the world you promote."

 

The convergence here could be that the acts of parenting rather than the words of parenting are the world you create for and of your children.

[Anne Westlund]

In thinking about your find, Fritzie, applied to my own work, order, beauty and celebrating holidays and things I love are apparent in my stitching.  In my writing, an appreciation for different emotions and humor.  If that is what I'm promoting, it is apparent sometimes in my life, but not all the time.  Interesting concept!  Hmmm...

[F]

Promoting in this sense does not, I think, mean you want it to be true but rather that you believe it is true.  So you could authentically share a truth you percieve about something you thing is unjust.

[Nancy]

re: Fritzie's quote

Here I find the statement somewhat obvious yet somewhat obscure at the same time.

It stands to reason that the work you do (by choice) represents the world you believe in and therefor promote through the products and outcome of your work.

[Anne Westlund]

While I realize this is a small part of a complete character type description, it still bugs me.  When are we going to stop judging women by their behavior, clothing, conversation, even whether they are acting age-appropriately?  The Feminist in me is upset with this character sketch, but I still posted it.  Feminist, an old word, from the 60s, look it up if you don't know what it means.  :)

[F]

You had the context and I didn't. I thought it was talking about Aphrodite, a symbol tather than a real woman, and doing that in clinical terms..

[Nancy]

re:Anne's quote

Not knowing the context and from a purely phycological view point, I look at this passage as a study in behavioural responses based on a set of circumstances, all the while implying that 'she' had no choices in how she behaves as an adult/grown woman. It is a limited understanding of responsibility and a dated viewpoint of women in general, especially the reference to her sexual behaviors. None of that would be applied to a male raised in similar circumstances...even today.

[Anne Westlund]

Random Bookshelf Reading 23

Question: This Week? (Tell me about this week? Note:  I usually ask this question on Sundays, but forgot yesterday.)

Answer:  "Don't sit in traffic, for instance, and just rage.  Traffic is a fact of life today, and there's nothing more pointless and unproductive than being angry because of it.  Always travel with a tape recorder or notebook so you can record your thoughts as you wait.  You can also listen to books on tape, or tapes on writing that may help you work out problems you're dealing with, such as developing a plot and characters for a steamy romance novel, how to write a book proposal, approach an editor or find a literary agent." (p.176)

From Get Organized, Get Published! 255 Ways to Make Time for Success by Don Aslett and Carol Cartaino.


Disclaimer:  Readings are for entertainment purposes only.  You (the person reading the Random Bookshelf Readings) are solely responsible for actions taken based on these readings; neither Anne Westlund or The Divine Life Google Group and its members are liable.  These readings are from my personal bookshelves (not sourced from the internet) and only one paragraph from each book will be posted, in rotating order (up to two times a year for some books).  Any questions or comments, please reply to this post. ~Anne Westlund

[F]

Mine for today is: Style emerges; it is not a product of self-conscious selection.

 

The first association that comes to me is the raging debate going on among my students as to which personality traits and dispositions related to creative activity are inborn and which subject to development. It is well established that none is all one or all the other, but some traits are more genetically driven.

 

With slight adjustment one might ask whether people who get angry when other people's plans and activities interfere with their most pressing agenda may face that challenge with some inborn intolerance and egotism.

 

That said, life is easier when one learns to make lemonade from lemons, sees the cup half full rather than half empty and so forth.

[Nancy]

On midsummer's morn or at dawn of the spring equinox, the turf labyrinths would be walked or run or more probably danced to ensure a good crop. Barren women may have slept in the centre of these labyrinths at the full moon to ensure pregnancy, as they did with ancient chalk hill figures, such as the Cerne Abas Giant, near Dorset. It is probable that the Puritans from Elizabethan times on, classified them with Maypoles and mince pies as dangerous pagan superstition.

 from The Spirituality of Mazes and Labyrinths by Gailand MacQeen.

 

I have always marvelled at the concept of superstitions from both sides of the coin. Those who practice them for some hoped for results and those who fear them and try to control others use of them because they still believe they have the possibility of having specific powers. 

I just now, also wonder how many superstitions have taken root in out own lives without our conscious awareness of them?

And.....Does/can having a belief help to transfer a genuine power to an object or ritual?

[F]

In response to your last question, we know all manner of placebos work, so why not?