Author Archives: Paula Josa-Jones

Jan19

taxi wisdom

Posted on by

I was in New York City today for the third time this week.  It was cold and dark when I caught the 6:50 train.  I had brought some editing and got into a fabulous focus flow with my two seatmates who were both buried in their Kindles.

The train was delayed by 40 minutes, and I was walking fast when a taxi unloaded its passenger right in front of me, so I flagged him down.  He was a lovely Sikh gentleman, and because I have a long and deep relationship with India and Nepal, we began to talk.

He said what a beautiful day it was.  How many people do not notice the beauty of the day and the simple pleasures of the sun and just being alive.  He talked about people living in India who seem often so much happier even though they are poorer by far.   He talked about spirit and appreciation and happiness pretty much for the whole trip, which was not long, and I felt pretty blissful by the time we reached my destination.

As I got out of the taxi, I realized that I had just experienced a rampage of appreciation.   Have a listen.

SHARE & EMAIL
Jan19

on not figuring it out

Posted on by

Photo:  Claire Glover

Amadeo is my talented, complicated 17 year-old Andalusian gelding.  I have had him since he was 8, when I imported him from Spain.  He has never been an easy ride for me, and about six months ago, he made the decision that he did not want me to ride him.  To be more specific, he decided that only Brandi Rivera, his very talented trainer (and mine) should ride him.  We confirmed all of this with an animal communicator. She told us that he wanted to show off his skill and beauty, which includes the gorgeous flying changes, pirouettes and half passes that he is doing.

Brandi is now pregnant and not riding.  So Amadeo, this brilliant and opinionated horse, is unemployed.  And because he is not turned out with another horse because he can get rambunctious, he is both unemployed and lonely.

My happiest scenario for Amadeo is that someone would love him, like to lease him and enjoy riding and spending time with him. Deo loves to work – he enjoys that connection with himself and a rider – he is just very specific about how that looks and feels.  I love him, but I am not that rider – something that has taken me some time and some tears to accept.  If you are interested in meeting Deo, you can see him here, and follow that contact information.

My challenge in all of this is to not obsess about figuring out what will happen next for Deo.  To not focus on what is making me unhappy, but to feel my way toward a beautiful outcome for both of us.  And to keep all of that general, because getting specific creates more thinking, more working at it, more obstacles.

Jan18

improvisation life

Posted on by

Improvisation life is not just about following the muse or being an artist.  Or about spontaneity or creativity.

It is about our choices and how we make them.  About focus.  About cultivating a continuous, flexible thread of attention to what we love.  About deep listening (see Pauline Oliveros).  About waking up to what is here right now, in this moment.  About unexpected ways of dancing with what is.

Beginning Monday, I am teaching a five-week guided meditation on moving into an improvisational life.  This is some of what I will be including:

  • ways to nourish and embody your creative practice
  • suggestions for how to reduce the commute between art and life
  • playful, improvisational ways to deepen your work and relationships
  • specific improvisational practices for movement and writing (music, painting)

Registration closes on Friday.  You can sign up here. 

Questions?  Leave a comment and I will respond.

 

Jan17

can you help?

Posted on by

These are two ponies that need help.  They are currently kept in a hardscrabble coop in upstate New York.  They are both stallions, both 16 years old, and have been together nearly their whole lives, even though they are not related by blood.  They are gentle and can be handled.

The brown stallion is a bit of an escape artist, and the current owners have him tied by the neck 24/7.  His neck is obviously tender and his left knee is swollen from constantly circling on that side. Horses graze and wander, and these two have nothing to eat, except for some old straw.  Their water bucket was very low.

If you can help to find them a new home, please leave a comment, and I will connect with you.  Please share this post with anyone you know who may be able to help.  Thank you!