The Bridge #80
in which we take pleasure in who we are... because why not?
Hello
& Welcome to The Bridge!
November 1st in France (and for Catholics in America) is a day to commemorate the people who have come before us. The ghosts of our past — rather than haunting us— may they be honored and remembered. May the legacy they have left us be turned toward good.
Something Fun
A caterpillar living in a small town watching TV all the time knew she was gaining weight. People didn't need to say it. She knew.
& Who knows? Maybe if she hadn't had a mirror, hadn't had a TV, hadn't had that one terrible boyfriend, her story would've ended differently, but... One day she learned of a way to become truly beautiful.
It wasn't just plastic surgery. Her whole self would need to become mush and she might even forget her own name. The doctors said after initial operation, she'd stay in the chrysalis for up to two weeks. Once started, no going back.
Feeling desperate, she decided to do it.
Sure enough, she emerged as an exquisite, charming, light-as-a-feather butterfly -- and was almost immediately contracted for a brand new film in a starring role! High-end fashion brands asked her to be seen holding their products.
Maybe she forgot who she was, but who cares? Now she was beautiful, and she lived well in the big city.
An ugly cricket came across her one day and admired her beauty. “You know,” he said, “You’re really something!”
Something about the sing-song sincerity with which he spoke… the caterpillar-turned-butterfly looked the cricket in the eyes and thanked him. He said, “I wish I were you.”
"Let me tell you something: Once upon a time, I was in your shoes, looking at others, envious, and feeling ignored. Now today I have the glamour, and it’s great! but I’ll admit sometimes I wish for peace and quiet; it’s hard to come by. & I feel it strongly, people want to tear me down. The secret is, just be you. No one can take that away.”
The cricket heard her and understood. & That is why the cricket sings so sweet!
Something Serious
On Humor by George Saunders
Right now I'm reading (slowly) the book A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, in which are contained seven short stories by Russian authors of the 19th century with essays written by George Saunders that respond to the original texts and help explain each story’s mechanics and dynamics. The book was so successful, Saunders started a substack that sorta extends that idea while creating a live audience that can respond to the text before he adds the commentary, which is like a classroom without walls. It's very generous his teaching in this way.
The writing advice Saunders offers is often quite caringly delivered. He’s an honest guy and funny. Here in his essay “On Humor” he reflects on the ways that we might intentionally or spontaneously try to be funny, in life and in writing.
It's been rather cloudy (and rainy) here in Paris, so I'm grateful for George Saunders' funny way of writing and teaching, which reflects most likely (most definitely) his funny way of being. ☀️🌧️An illuminating read.
Something to Listen To
Discovered this song some years ago via the algorithms. (Thanks to Spotify for the recommendation!)
Recommending this song to you today was the first time I saw the faces of the band. What I really love are the lyrics. They describe so well with such specificity the vague ways we might suspect someone we’re crushing on will be a great match for us hypothetically. & we plan it all out, and our imagination runs wild, and we’re still not quite sure, but we suspect that maybe… obviously (maybe) something is going on that is good. Surely, right?
Something to Practice
Tell someone you love them today. Don’t plan it. Feel your way into it, and say it even if it’s not exactly for sure the right timing. At least then you’ve said it.
I love you.
I just thought maybe you should know /
I’ve been playing out a lot of hypotheticals in my mind /
I’ve been writing your name down next to mine /
Been imagining all the things you and I could do oo oo /
I’ve seen all the possibilities in my dreams /
And you should really be singing right next to me,
JPC 🎤🎶😎