Commonplace books — sometimes simply called commonplaces — are books that compile information from different sources. Usually handwritten throughout but also not a journal, some of you with restless hands may find a commonplace book as a good way to begin a journalling or simply mindful rhythm of going through information.
These books usually contain quotes, poems, excerpts from texts; even prayers, word meanings, copied descriptions of things or places — anything that might inspire, or that you want to remember.
This is the first entry into our own commonplace book, and we’re sharing some things that have inspired us or caught our attention the past week.
This image of the planet Jupiter captured by the Webb Telescope. Their description of its appearance is delightfully detailed: “The planet is striated with swirling horizontal stripes of neon turquoise, periwinkle, light pink, and cream. The stripes interact and mix at their edges like cream in coffee. Along both of the poles, the planet glows in turquoise. Bright orange auroras glow just above the planet’s surface at both poles.”
“So often, when we feel lost, adrift in our lives, our first instinct is to look out into the distance to find the nearest shore. But that shore, that solid ground, is within us. The anchor we are searching for is connection, and it is internal. To form meaningful connections with others, we must first connect with ourselves, but to do either, we must first establish a common understanding of the language of emotion and human experience.” (Brené Brown, Atlas of the Heart)
What if we considered “creation as finding new knowledge” ? (Quote from Ange Viceral, at a discussion forum on ethnography and arts-based research orgnanized by the Benilde School of Arts, Culture, and Performance)
The album Marginalia III by Masakatsu Takagi. Something for calm focused work, meditation, yoga, or any other mindfully-focused activity.
This article about inner absencing by Eva Pomeroy that talks about our selves as the primary instrument of societal and systems transformation.
“And I am aware of my heart: it opens and closes. Its bowl of red blooms out of sheer love of me.” (Sylvia Plath, Tulips) Taken from a collection of words on the human heart compiled by poet Trivarna Hariharan.
If you’re into math rock instrumentals, or would like something energizing yet grounded, try listening to Covet’s Falkor.
This reel of a mesmerizing sunset from the coast of La Union. Take a moment to bask in the warm hues of the day’s afterglow.
What’s moved you to be inspired, be curious, or feel cradled this week? We’d love for you to share it with us in the comments.