borrowed words.

February 4, 2020

From Ross Gay’s interview with Bim Adewunmi on this week’s episode of This American Life, a reminder for this week and always:

Bim Adewunmi:One of the things he discovered is the mechanics of how to find delight every day as a discipline. Because delight doesn’t just arrive, you need to actively go looking for it.”

Ross Gay: “Being in a state of trying to train your curiosity, and trying to train this sense of not knowing. Delight and curiosity are really tied up. You have to be OK with not knowing things. You have to be actually invested and happy about not knowing things.

Listen: This American Life, Episode 692: The Show of Delights.

Read: The Book of Delights by Ross Gay

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9 Comments

  • Reply Hannah February 4, 2020 at 3:43 pm

    Ross Gay’s On Being episode is also incredible. Hard recommend.

    1
    • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 4, 2020 at 5:24 pm

      Oh, I bet. Adding to my list.

      0
  • Reply Meghan February 4, 2020 at 5:17 pm

    I felt so good after listening to this week’s episode of This American Life! It was just what we need right now.

    1
    • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 4, 2020 at 5:25 pm

      Agreed!

      1
  • Reply Lark February 4, 2020 at 11:08 pm

    His book is the perfect companion for a Mama nursing a newborn. A book to remind you of the goodness that is on people and in the world, so important to give you hope for the little one on your arms. Embracing the unknown is certainly what is needed when bringing a new life into the world!
    (Not to mention that the short essayettes are ideal for tired mama brains. )
    So grateful for this book.

    1
  • Reply Lark February 4, 2020 at 11:10 pm

    *goodness in people, that is… (speaking of tired mama brains…)

    1
  • Reply Mary February 5, 2020 at 7:33 pm

    Thank you so much for linking to Bookshop! <3 My indie bookseller heart is so happy.

    1
  • Reply Carrie Lynn February 7, 2020 at 9:39 am

    Thank you for reminding the world about thus. At this time and in this way. Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.
    The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.
    Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species — man — acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world. Rachel Carson XX

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  • Reply steph February 24, 2020 at 11:25 am

    happy you + babe are back home and well! (my niece’s middle name is also ruth 🙂 cant wait to read this book. i’ve been saying/thinking/living it for years now and woah am I so much happier than i ever was. i think working in education it’s hard not to feel delight when you see it so much with/in the perspective of children. nature, curiosity, resilience, kindness… this is what inspires me.
    ps. what brought me delight in september (i’m very very behind on my blogging): https://tps-steph.blogspot.com/2020/02/0055-september-favorites.html

    1
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