you
you [Music]
I’m going to make you a promise right
I’m going to make you a promise right here right now today you with my help
here right now today you with my help
here right now today you with my help are going to find your place in the
are going to find your place in the
are going to find your place in the world and today you are going to find it
world and today you are going to find it
world and today you are going to find it like a poet now this may sound like a
like a poet now this may sound like a
like a poet now this may sound like a grandiose promise but I assure you that
grandiose promise but I assure you that
grandiose promise but I assure you that it is not and it also may sound like I’m
it is not and it also may sound like I’m
it is not and it also may sound like I’m going to perform some magic trick and
going to perform some magic trick and
going to perform some magic trick and I’m going to ask you to close your eyes
I’m going to ask you to close your eyes
I’m going to ask you to close your eyes in a couple of seconds that’s not going
in a couple of seconds that’s not going
in a couple of seconds that’s not going to happen either okay in fact I’m going
to happen either okay in fact I’m going
to happen either okay in fact I’m going to require that you open your eyes up
to require that you open your eyes up
to require that you open your eyes up just a little bit wider so I can show
just a little bit wider so I can show
just a little bit wider so I can show you how every single day the ordinary
you how every single day the ordinary
you how every single day the ordinary trivial mundane overlooked details are
trivial mundane overlooked details are
trivial mundane overlooked details are making all the difference in how
making all the difference in how
making all the difference in how successful we are at interfacing with
successful we are at interfacing with
successful we are at interfacing with the world that’s right in front of us in
the world that’s right in front of us in
the world that’s right in front of us in the world that’s happening all around us
the world that’s happening all around us
the world that’s happening all around us this is going to require a slight a very
this is going to require a slight a very
this is going to require a slight a very modest bit of retuning on your part
modest bit of retuning on your part
modest bit of retuning on your part though in order to do it but if you
though in order to do it but if you
though in order to do it but if you commit to the principles of this
commit to the principles of this
commit to the principles of this exercise we are going to do you will be
exercise we are going to do you will be
exercise we are going to do you will be able to see that there is a broad
able to see that there is a broad
able to see that there is a broad applicability to everyday ordinary
applicability to everyday ordinary
applicability to everyday ordinary circumstances moments that pass by
circumstances moments that pass by
circumstances moments that pass by completely unnoticed I call them the
completely unnoticed I call them the
completely unnoticed I call them the unremarkable moments in life and the
unremarkable moments in life and the
unremarkable moments in life and the news here is that that makes up the vast
news here is that that makes up the vast
news here is that that makes up the vast majority of your time on this planet now
majority of your time on this planet now
majority of your time on this planet now these things are just zipping past us
these things are just zipping past us
these things are just zipping past us every day we’re brushing our teeth and
every day we’re brushing our teeth and
every day we’re brushing our teeth and then boom out into the ether we’ve
then boom out into the ether we’ve
then boom out into the ether we’ve already forgotten about it but the
already forgotten about it but the
already forgotten about it but the remarkable thing about these
remarkable thing about these
remarkable thing about these unremarkable moments is that it’s the
unremarkable moments is that it’s the
unremarkable moments is that it’s the one thing that everybody on this planet
one thing that everybody on this planet
one thing that everybody on this planet for sure has in common and if you commit
for sure has in common and if you commit
for sure has in common and if you commit to the principles of the exercise that
to the principles of the exercise that
to the principles of the exercise that we are going to do here today you will
we are going to do here today you will
we are going to do here today you will start to feel more fully invested more
start to feel more fully invested more
start to feel more fully invested more fully integrated into the places through
fully integrated into the places through
fully integrated into the places through which your past
which your past
which your past on a daily basis now this is an exercise
on a daily basis now this is an exercise
on a daily basis now this is an exercise so that is that means it’s going to
so that is that means it’s going to
so that is that means it’s going to require you to participate but before we
require you to participate but before we
require you to participate but before we can even begin this exercise I’m going
can even begin this exercise I’m going
can even begin this exercise I’m going to need you to select something to
to need you to select something to
to need you to select something to investigate something to put your full
investigate something to put your full
investigate something to put your full energy upon but for the purposes of
energy upon but for the purposes of
energy upon but for the purposes of today we are not going to choose
today we are not going to choose
today we are not going to choose something we are going to choose some
something we are going to choose some
something we are going to choose some body now i’m going to give you about
body now i’m going to give you about
body now i’m going to give you about five seconds here in a moment I’m going
five seconds here in a moment I’m going
five seconds here in a moment I’m going to say go and that’ll be your cue to
to say go and that’ll be your cue to
to say go and that’ll be your cue to find that person but you are going to
find that person but you are going to
find that person but you are going to choose someone it could be someone to
choose someone it could be someone to
choose someone it could be someone to your left that’s my left could someone
your left that’s my left could someone
your left that’s my left could someone to your right that’s my right it could
to your right that’s my right it could
to your right that’s my right it could be someone three rows down and for those
be someone three rows down and for those
be someone three rows down and for those of you who are starting to realize that
of you who are starting to realize that
of you who are starting to realize that I’m going to ask you to look perhaps
I’m going to ask you to look perhaps
I’m going to ask you to look perhaps deeply at another person if that makes
deeply at another person if that makes
deeply at another person if that makes you at all squeamish you’re
you at all squeamish you’re
you at all squeamish you’re uncomfortable feel free to leer at me I
uncomfortable feel free to leer at me I
uncomfortable feel free to leer at me I think you’re all doing it right now
think you’re all doing it right now
think you’re all doing it right now anyways it doesn’t really matter but
anyways it doesn’t really matter but
anyways it doesn’t really matter but that’s what we’re going to do and I’m
that’s what we’re going to do and I’m
that’s what we’re going to do and I’m going to give you five seconds to do it
going to give you five seconds to do it
going to give you five seconds to do it now what we’re going to do when I say go
now what we’re going to do when I say go
now what we’re going to do when I say go is choose some 15 silent seconds and
is choose some 15 silent seconds and
is choose some 15 silent seconds and that’s it all you’re going to do is
that’s it all you’re going to do is
that’s it all you’re going to do is select the person okay ready I want to
select the person okay ready I want to
select the person okay ready I want to hear this invisible pin drop by the way
hear this invisible pin drop by the way
hear this invisible pin drop by the way right here on this stage ready set go
okay stop it doesn’t make a difference
okay stop it doesn’t make a difference who you choose like most things in life
who you choose like most things in life
who you choose like most things in life the only important thing is that you
the only important thing is that you
the only important thing is that you make a choice and so you’ve already made
make a choice and so you’ve already made
make a choice and so you’ve already made that choice that’s great where we are
that choice that’s great where we are
that choice that’s great where we are going to look at another at another
going to look at another at another
going to look at another at another person yes but we are also we are also
person yes but we are also we are also
person yes but we are also we are also going to open ourselves up to the
going to open ourselves up to the
going to open ourselves up to the possibility in the probability that
possibility in the probability that
possibility in the probability that other people are going to be looking at
other people are going to be looking at
other people are going to be looking at you and we are going to find something
you and we are going to find something
you and we are going to find something unique in each other something we
unique in each other something we
unique in each other something we weren’t aware of before now and we’re
weren’t aware of before now and we’re
weren’t aware of before now and we’re going to tuck it away in the backs of
going to tuck it away in the backs of
going to tuck it away in the backs of our minds and save it for later okay now
our minds and save it for later okay now
our minds and save it for later okay now what we’re looking for is a feature this
what we’re looking for is a feature this
what we’re looking for is a feature this could be an item of clothing a
could be an item of clothing a
could be an item of clothing a particular component of that item of
particular component of that item of
particular component of that item of clothing a button a zipper it doesn’t
clothing a button a zipper it doesn’t
clothing a button a zipper it doesn’t matter if you’re within smelling
matter if you’re within smelling
matter if you’re within smelling distance of the person who chose right I
distance of the person who chose right I
distance of the person who chose right I could be a particular perfume or cologne
could be a particular perfume or cologne
could be a particular perfume or cologne if the person you selected has a three
if the person you selected has a three
if the person you selected has a three year old and a five year old at home
year old and a five year old at home
year old and a five year old at home like I do then maybe you can pick out a
like I do then maybe you can pick out a
like I do then maybe you can pick out a new strand of gray hair because I assure
new strand of gray hair because I assure
new strand of gray hair because I assure you that if they’re like me there’s got
you that if they’re like me there’s got
you that if they’re like me there’s got at least one that’s donning their quaff
at least one that’s donning their quaff
at least one that’s donning their quaff so when I say go I’m going to give you
so when I say go I’m going to give you
so when I say go I’m going to give you five seconds to do this five silent
five seconds to do this five silent
five seconds to do this five silent seconds to select something to put your
seconds to select something to put your
seconds to select something to put your full energy into somebody and what
full energy into somebody and what
full energy into somebody and what you’re going to get out of this very
you’re going to get out of this very
you’re going to get out of this very small it’s easy you know lower the
small it’s easy you know lower the
small it’s easy you know lower the expectations isn’t that the key to
expectations isn’t that the key to
expectations isn’t that the key to happiness what you’re going to get out
happiness what you’re going to get out
happiness what you’re going to get out of this later later tonight tomorrow
of this later later tonight tomorrow
of this later later tonight tomorrow maybe even 10 years from now you’ll be
maybe even 10 years from now you’ll be
maybe even 10 years from now you’ll be able to recall that detail with greater
able to recall that detail with greater
able to recall that detail with greater appreciation than you could possibly
appreciation than you could possibly
appreciation than you could possibly imagine and more than simply being able
imagine and more than simply being able
imagine and more than simply being able to recall the detail the emotional
to recall the detail the emotional
to recall the detail the emotional complexity of this moment here today
complexity of this moment here today
complexity of this moment here today we’ll be right there with it now when I
we’ll be right there with it now when I
we’ll be right there with it now when I say go I’m going to give you five silent
say go I’m going to give you five silent
say go I’m going to give you five silent seconds and I want you to put your
seconds and I want you to put your
seconds and I want you to put your energy on the person and I want you to
energy on the person and I want you to
energy on the person and I want you to select a detail and tuck it away in the
select a detail and tuck it away in the
select a detail and tuck it away in the back of your minds five silent seconds
back of your minds five silent seconds
back of your minds five silent seconds ready set go
okay stop good you’ve made a choice
okay stop good you’ve made a choice Bravo I mean that’s the first step we
Bravo I mean that’s the first step we
Bravo I mean that’s the first step we have just completed the first step of a
have just completed the first step of a
have just completed the first step of a three step process towards finding our
three step process towards finding our
three step process towards finding our place in this world like poets that
place in this world like poets that
place in this world like poets that first step is awareness now awareness is
first step is awareness now awareness is
first step is awareness now awareness is something that poets practice daily we
something that poets practice daily we
something that poets practice daily we are always on the lookout for new
are always on the lookout for new
are always on the lookout for new material but our material can range from
material but our material can range from
material but our material can range from an ordinary wooden cooking spoon to a a
an ordinary wooden cooking spoon to a a
an ordinary wooden cooking spoon to a a mode of dust on the wing of a
mode of dust on the wing of a
mode of dust on the wing of a death’s-head moth to that first warm
death’s-head moth to that first warm
death’s-head moth to that first warm smell of honeysuckle comes spring and
smell of honeysuckle comes spring and
smell of honeysuckle comes spring and like you and I and everyone else in this
like you and I and everyone else in this
like you and I and everyone else in this room just did together poets we take
room just did together poets we take
room just did together poets we take that piece of material and then we try
that piece of material and then we try
that piece of material and then we try and understand it within the framework
and understand it within the framework
and understand it within the framework of a much larger context take that
of a much larger context take that
of a much larger context take that ordinary wooden cooking spoon I
ordinary wooden cooking spoon I
ordinary wooden cooking spoon I mentioned just a few moments ago an
mentioned just a few moments ago an
mentioned just a few moments ago an ordinary simple device used to mix and
ordinary simple device used to mix and
ordinary simple device used to mix and stir and taste I mean you know if you’ve
stir and taste I mean you know if you’ve
stir and taste I mean you know if you’ve never seen one before you can imagine
never seen one before you can imagine
never seen one before you can imagine it’s a spoon about yay high and it’s in
it’s a spoon about yay high and it’s in
it’s a spoon about yay high and it’s in a lot of kitchens in America that’s what
a lot of kitchens in America that’s what
a lot of kitchens in America that’s what it is but that’s not all it is take that
it is but that’s not all it is take that
it is but that’s not all it is take that ordinary wooden cooking spoon and put in
ordinary wooden cooking spoon and put in
ordinary wooden cooking spoon and put in the hands of my grandmother who passed
the hands of my grandmother who passed
the hands of my grandmother who passed away almost 20 years ago and watch her
away almost 20 years ago and watch her
away almost 20 years ago and watch her start to stir sallow median cabbage come
start to stir sallow median cabbage come
start to stir sallow median cabbage come Christmas Eve maybe she sets it down on
Christmas Eve maybe she sets it down on
Christmas Eve maybe she sets it down on the counter for a second to rub her
the counter for a second to rub her
the counter for a second to rub her aching hands maybe the entire kitchen
aching hands maybe the entire kitchen
aching hands maybe the entire kitchen the entire house is starting to smell of
the entire house is starting to smell of
the entire house is starting to smell of sweet Italian sausage a peasant’s dish
sweet Italian sausage a peasant’s dish
sweet Italian sausage a peasant’s dish brought over from the old world maybe
brought over from the old world maybe
brought over from the old world maybe outside the kitchen window an iced-over
outside the kitchen window an iced-over
outside the kitchen window an iced-over tree branch snaps with a sudden warmth
tree branch snaps with a sudden warmth
tree branch snaps with a sudden warmth maybe take that ordinary wooden cooking
maybe take that ordinary wooden cooking
maybe take that ordinary wooden cooking spoon and put in the hands of someone
spoon and put in the hands of someone
spoon and put in the hands of someone you love or have loved and let them cook
you love or have loved and let them cook
you love or have loved and let them cook for you Ralph Waldo Emerson says in his
for you Ralph Waldo Emerson says in his
for you Ralph Waldo Emerson says in his essay nature that the poet’s job is to
essay nature that the poet’s job is to
essay nature that the poet’s job is to be the one who’s I can integrate all the
be the one who’s I can integrate all the
be the one who’s I can integrate all the parts can integrate all of the parts
parts can integrate all of the parts
parts can integrate all of the parts that’s yourself included it may sound
that’s yourself included it may sound
that’s yourself included it may sound great but integrating all the parts
great but integrating all the parts
great but integrating all the parts a lot easier said than done I’d argue to
a lot easier said than done I’d argue to
a lot easier said than done I’d argue to do it you have to slow yourself down and
do it you have to slow yourself down and
do it you have to slow yourself down and put yourself in a quiet vulnerable space
put yourself in a quiet vulnerable space
put yourself in a quiet vulnerable space and in this age of Twitter storms and
and in this age of Twitter storms and
and in this age of Twitter storms and the forthcoming fleet of Amazon drones
the forthcoming fleet of Amazon drones
the forthcoming fleet of Amazon drones delivering instant gratification to our
delivering instant gratification to our
delivering instant gratification to our doorsteps from the touch of a device we
doorsteps from the touch of a device we
doorsteps from the touch of a device we carry on our pockets 24 hours a day
carry on our pockets 24 hours a day
carry on our pockets 24 hours a day slowing ourselves down in putting
slowing ourselves down in putting
slowing ourselves down in putting ourselves into a vulnerable space it’s
ourselves into a vulnerable space it’s
ourselves into a vulnerable space it’s become a notoriously difficult step for
become a notoriously difficult step for
become a notoriously difficult step for us some say it’s impossible but I think
us some say it’s impossible but I think
us some say it’s impossible but I think I think that if we just simply start to
I think that if we just simply start to
I think that if we just simply start to recognize that each passing moment is
recognize that each passing moment is
recognize that each passing moment is something that is as rich and complex
something that is as rich and complex
something that is as rich and complex and elegant is a fine piece of chocolate
and elegant is a fine piece of chocolate
and elegant is a fine piece of chocolate or is a remarkably good glass of wine
or is a remarkably good glass of wine
or is a remarkably good glass of wine and then we can start we can just barely
and then we can start we can just barely
and then we can start we can just barely scratch the surface that’s starting to
scratch the surface that’s starting to
scratch the surface that’s starting to appreciate just how good we’ve all got
appreciate just how good we’ve all got
appreciate just how good we’ve all got it we take so much for granted every
it we take so much for granted every
it we take so much for granted every single person here takes everything so
single person here takes everything so
single person here takes everything so much for granted every single day but
much for granted every single day but
much for granted every single day but not today today I promise you you were
not today today I promise you you were
not today today I promise you you were going to find your place in this world
going to find your place in this world
going to find your place in this world like a poet so we are going to look at
like a poet so we are going to look at
like a poet so we are going to look at the person that we selected again and
the person that we selected again and
the person that we selected again and this time when you’re looking at them I
this time when you’re looking at them I
this time when you’re looking at them I want you to acknowledge that their body
want you to acknowledge that their body
want you to acknowledge that their body has known summers heat and winters cold
has known summers heat and winters cold
has known summers heat and winters cold and springs passion and autumns
and springs passion and autumns
and springs passion and autumns heartbreak and that the person looking
heartbreak and that the person looking
heartbreak and that the person looking out from inside has a history in a
out from inside has a history in a
out from inside has a history in a future in their present form that is
future in their present form that is
future in their present form that is absolutely finite and I want you when I
absolutely finite and I want you when I
absolutely finite and I want you when I say go to acknowledge them like this and
say go to acknowledge them like this and
say go to acknowledge them like this and be still with them and open yourself up
be still with them and open yourself up
be still with them and open yourself up to the possibility of being completely
to the possibility of being completely
to the possibility of being completely vulnerable in all of our present
vulnerable in all of our present
vulnerable in all of our present completeness ready set go
okay stop you’ve just completed the
okay stop you’ve just completed the second step towards finding your place
second step towards finding your place
second step towards finding your place in this world like a poet that second
in this world like a poet that second
in this world like a poet that second step is vulnerability vulnerability
step is vulnerability vulnerability
step is vulnerability vulnerability means that you have now accepted the
means that you have now accepted the
means that you have now accepted the world around you just as the world
world around you just as the world
world around you just as the world around you has accepted you in turn the
around you has accepted you in turn the
around you has accepted you in turn the world after all wants to accept us it
world after all wants to accept us it
world after all wants to accept us it wants us to put down roots and it helps
wants us to put down roots and it helps
wants us to put down roots and it helps our roots to take hold it’s the place
our roots to take hold it’s the place
our roots to take hold it’s the place where we love each other and hold each
where we love each other and hold each
where we love each other and hold each other in March and protests and bow to
other in March and protests and bow to
other in March and protests and bow to worship and learn customs and beg
worship and learn customs and beg
worship and learn customs and beg forgiveness our very existence in this
forgiveness our very existence in this
forgiveness our very existence in this room on this planet in this moment in
room on this planet in this moment in
room on this planet in this moment in time is a passionate affront to
time is a passionate affront to
time is a passionate affront to non-existence and as a poet no where is
non-existence and as a poet no where is
non-existence and as a poet no where is our passion exerted more fiercely I’d
our passion exerted more fiercely I’d
our passion exerted more fiercely I’d argue and more memorably as it is
argue and more memorably as it is
argue and more memorably as it is through the vehicle of language within
through the vehicle of language within
through the vehicle of language within the halls of poetry when asked for her
the halls of poetry when asked for her
the halls of poetry when asked for her personal definition of poetry poet and
personal definition of poetry poet and
personal definition of poetry poet and Carson responded if prose is a house if
Carson responded if prose is a house if
Carson responded if prose is a house if prose is a house then poetry is a man on
prose is a house then poetry is a man on
prose is a house then poetry is a man on fire running quite fast through it now
fire running quite fast through it now
fire running quite fast through it now what I want to do is I want to put you
what I want to do is I want to put you
what I want to do is I want to put you in a framework where you can understand
in a framework where you can understand
in a framework where you can understand a little bit about what I do with poetry
a little bit about what I do with poetry
a little bit about what I do with poetry and kind of what it means in the grand
and kind of what it means in the grand
and kind of what it means in the grand scheme of things try and recall
scheme of things try and recall
scheme of things try and recall everybody in here try and recall the
everybody in here try and recall the
everybody in here try and recall the first time that you ever told someone
first time that you ever told someone
first time that you ever told someone that you love them not your mommy not
that you love them not your mommy not
that you love them not your mommy not your daddy not your grandpa somebody
your daddy not your grandpa somebody
your daddy not your grandpa somebody outside of the Family Circle slight
outside of the Family Circle slight
outside of the Family Circle slight caveat when you didn’t know if they were
caveat when you didn’t know if they were
caveat when you didn’t know if they were going to say I love you back can you
going to say I love you back can you
going to say I love you back can you recall the space between the moment when
recall the space between the moment when
recall the space between the moment when the words escaped your mouth in the air
the words escaped your mouth in the air
the words escaped your mouth in the air into which they escaped that’s the place
into which they escaped that’s the place
into which they escaped that’s the place where poetry lips but poetry two lives
where poetry lips but poetry two lives
where poetry lips but poetry two lives in the place where in exertion of words
in the place where in exertion of words
in the place where in exertion of words impressive some force on a take it for
impressive some force on a take it for
impressive some force on a take it for granted social or cultural norm and then
granted social or cultural norm and then
granted social or cultural norm and then recoils at the slightest touch poems are
recoils at the slightest touch poems are
recoils at the slightest touch poems are themselves these kind of metaphors for
themselves these kind of metaphors for
themselves these kind of metaphors for both fragility and strength it’s why
both fragility and strength it’s why
both fragility and strength it’s why poets often read poems at funerals and
poets often read poems at funerals and
poets often read poems at funerals and at weddings
at weddings
at weddings the greek word for poem poema means made
the greek word for poem poema means made
the greek word for poem poema means made thing poems are made things that exist
thing poems are made things that exist
thing poems are made things that exist in spite of their transients like an end
in spite of their transients like an end
in spite of their transients like an end table or Ferrari or fat gold watch and
table or Ferrari or fat gold watch and
table or Ferrari or fat gold watch and poems take on the features of their
poems take on the features of their
poems take on the features of their makers and the customs of the time and
makers and the customs of the time and
makers and the customs of the time and place in which they were created in the
place in which they were created in the
place in which they were created in the way that big fat gold watch takes on the
way that big fat gold watch takes on the
way that big fat gold watch takes on the features of its maker and gives us a
features of its maker and gives us a
features of its maker and gives us a platform where from we can view the
platform where from we can view the
platform where from we can view the mechanics of time in space an item of
mechanics of time in space an item of
mechanics of time in space an item of clothing a piece of jewelry a particular
clothing a piece of jewelry a particular
clothing a piece of jewelry a particular perfume these are all things that
perfume these are all things that
perfume these are all things that possess a history and a life of their
possess a history and a life of their
possess a history and a life of their own that we hardly ever notice and we
own that we hardly ever notice and we
own that we hardly ever notice and we rarely fully inspect but today like
rarely fully inspect but today like
rarely fully inspect but today like poets we are taking none of that for
poets we are taking none of that for
poets we are taking none of that for granted I’m going to ask you to look at
granted I’m going to ask you to look at
granted I’m going to ask you to look at the person one more time that you
the person one more time that you
the person one more time that you selected and this time I want you to
selected and this time I want you to
selected and this time I want you to take out whatever detail that was no
take out whatever detail that was no
take out whatever detail that was no matter how small and seemingly
matter how small and seemingly
matter how small and seemingly insignificant and I want you to
insignificant and I want you to
insignificant and I want you to reexamine it in this moment now and I
reexamine it in this moment now and I
reexamine it in this moment now and I want you to acknowledge that that little
want you to acknowledge that that little
want you to acknowledge that that little detail contains an entire universe that
detail contains an entire universe that
detail contains an entire universe that is far far greater than its own little
is far far greater than its own little
is far far greater than its own little ordinary mundane overlooked existence
ordinary mundane overlooked existence
ordinary mundane overlooked existence when I say go five silent seconds put
when I say go five silent seconds put
when I say go five silent seconds put your energy into it and look at that
your energy into it and look at that
your energy into it and look at that detail ready set go
okay stop you just completed the final
okay stop you just completed the final step towards finding your place in this
step towards finding your place in this
step towards finding your place in this world like a poet that final step is
world like a poet that final step is
world like a poet that final step is passion passion is the light that we
passion passion is the light that we
passion passion is the light that we bring to the ordinary around us
bring to the ordinary around us
bring to the ordinary around us according to Thomas Martin each one of
according to Thomas Martin each one of
according to Thomas Martin each one of us possesses the light of a billion suns
us possesses the light of a billion suns
us possesses the light of a billion suns if he was even half right imagine just
if he was even half right imagine just
if he was even half right imagine just how bright we are in this room together
how bright we are in this room together
how bright we are in this room together right now all around us we feel we know
right now all around us we feel we know
right now all around us we feel we know that there is this coming sadness of
that there is this coming sadness of
that there is this coming sadness of death and yet we are inundated with a
death and yet we are inundated with a
death and yet we are inundated with a present in passionate joy of living in
present in passionate joy of living in
present in passionate joy of living in each of the items and components and
each of the items and components and
each of the items and components and features that we carry around with us
features that we carry around with us
features that we carry around with us through this journey called life they
through this journey called life they
through this journey called life they possess an energy that is as remarkable
possess an energy that is as remarkable
possess an energy that is as remarkable and relevant as the walls around us the
and relevant as the walls around us the
and relevant as the walls around us the chair beneath you or the stage under my
chair beneath you or the stage under my
chair beneath you or the stage under my feet the earth has been hurdling you
feet the earth has been hurdling you
feet the earth has been hurdling you through time and space for sixty suffer
through time and space for sixty suffer
through time and space for sixty suffer at 67,000 miles per hour for your entire
at 67,000 miles per hour for your entire
at 67,000 miles per hour for your entire life for your entire life think about
life for your entire life think about
life for your entire life think about that and yet here we are together in
that and yet here we are together in
that and yet here we are together in this present stillness each of us is now
this present stillness each of us is now
this present stillness each of us is now exerting the immense pressure of
exerting the immense pressure of
exerting the immense pressure of ourselves into this place where we have
ourselves into this place where we have
ourselves into this place where we have now been fully integrated through
now been fully integrated through
now been fully integrated through awareness and vulnerability and
awareness and vulnerability and
awareness and vulnerability and passionate intensity integrated like
passionate intensity integrated like
passionate intensity integrated like poets this is a place you now fully
poets this is a place you now fully
poets this is a place you now fully belong
you [Music]
I’m going to make you a promise right
I’m going to make you a promise right here right now today you with my help
here right now today you with my help
here right now today you with my help are going to find your place in the
are going to find your place in the
are going to find your place in the world and today you are going to find it
world and today you are going to find it
world and today you are going to find it like a poet now this may sound like a
like a poet now this may sound like a
like a poet now this may sound like a grandiose promise but I assure you that
grandiose promise but I assure you that
grandiose promise but I assure you that it is not and it also may sound like I’m
it is not and it also may sound like I’m
it is not and it also may sound like I’m going to perform some magic trick and
going to perform some magic trick and
going to perform some magic trick and I’m going to ask you to close your eyes
I’m going to ask you to close your eyes
I’m going to ask you to close your eyes in a couple of seconds that’s not going
in a couple of seconds that’s not going
in a couple of seconds that’s not going to happen either okay in fact I’m going
to happen either okay in fact I’m going
to happen either okay in fact I’m going to require that you open your eyes up
to require that you open your eyes up
to require that you open your eyes up just a little bit wider so I can show
just a little bit wider so I can show
just a little bit wider so I can show you how every single day the ordinary
you how every single day the ordinary
you how every single day the ordinary trivial mundane overlooked details are
trivial mundane overlooked details are
trivial mundane overlooked details are making all the difference in how
making all the difference in how
making all the difference in how successful we are at interfacing with
successful we are at interfacing with
successful we are at interfacing with the world that’s right in front of us in
the world that’s right in front of us in
the world that’s right in front of us in the world that’s happening all around us
the world that’s happening all around us
the world that’s happening all around us this is going to require a slight a very
this is going to require a slight a very
this is going to require a slight a very modest bit of retuning on your part
modest bit of retuning on your part
modest bit of retuning on your part though in order to do it but if you
though in order to do it but if you
though in order to do it but if you commit to the principles of this
commit to the principles of this
commit to the principles of this exercise we are going to do you will be
exercise we are going to do you will be
exercise we are going to do you will be able to see that there is a broad
able to see that there is a broad
able to see that there is a broad applicability to everyday ordinary
applicability to everyday ordinary
applicability to everyday ordinary circumstances moments that pass by
circumstances moments that pass by
circumstances moments that pass by completely unnoticed I call them the
completely unnoticed I call them the
completely unnoticed I call them the unremarkable moments in life and the
unremarkable moments in life and the
unremarkable moments in life and the news here is that that makes up the vast
news here is that that makes up the vast
news here is that that makes up the vast majority of your time on this planet now
majority of your time on this planet now
majority of your time on this planet now these things are just zipping past us
these things are just zipping past us
these things are just zipping past us every day we’re brushing our teeth and
every day we’re brushing our teeth and
every day we’re brushing our teeth and then boom out into the ether we’ve
then boom out into the ether we’ve
then boom out into the ether we’ve already forgotten about it but the
already forgotten about it but the
already forgotten about it but the remarkable thing about these
remarkable thing about these
remarkable thing about these unremarkable moments is that it’s the
unremarkable moments is that it’s the
unremarkable moments is that it’s the one thing that everybody on this planet
one thing that everybody on this planet
one thing that everybody on this planet for sure has in common and if you commit
for sure has in common and if you commit
for sure has in common and if you commit to the principles of the exercise that
to the principles of the exercise that
to the principles of the exercise that we are going to do here today you will
we are going to do here today you will
we are going to do here today you will start to feel more fully invested more
start to feel more fully invested more
start to feel more fully invested more fully integrated into the places through
fully integrated into the places through
fully integrated into the places through which your past
which your past
which your past on a daily basis now this is an exercise
on a daily basis now this is an exercise
on a daily basis now this is an exercise so that is that means it’s going to
so that is that means it’s going to
so that is that means it’s going to require you to participate but before we
require you to participate but before we
require you to participate but before we can even begin this exercise I’m going
can even begin this exercise I’m going
can even begin this exercise I’m going to need you to select something to
to need you to select something to
to need you to select something to investigate something to put your full
investigate something to put your full
investigate something to put your full energy upon but for the purposes of
energy upon but for the purposes of
energy upon but for the purposes of today we are not going to choose
today we are not going to choose
today we are not going to choose something we are going to choose some
something we are going to choose some
something we are going to choose some body now i’m going to give you about
body now i’m going to give you about
body now i’m going to give you about five seconds here in a moment I’m going
five seconds here in a moment I’m going
five seconds here in a moment I’m going to say go and that’ll be your cue to
to say go and that’ll be your cue to
to say go and that’ll be your cue to find that person but you are going to
find that person but you are going to
find that person but you are going to choose someone it could be someone to
choose someone it could be someone to
choose someone it could be someone to your left that’s my left could someone
your left that’s my left could someone
your left that’s my left could someone to your right that’s my right it could
to your right that’s my right it could
to your right that’s my right it could be someone three rows down and for those
be someone three rows down and for those
be someone three rows down and for those of you who are starting to realize that
of you who are starting to realize that
of you who are starting to realize that I’m going to ask you to look perhaps
I’m going to ask you to look perhaps
I’m going to ask you to look perhaps deeply at another person if that makes
deeply at another person if that makes
deeply at another person if that makes you at all squeamish you’re
you at all squeamish you’re
you at all squeamish you’re uncomfortable feel free to leer at me I
uncomfortable feel free to leer at me I
uncomfortable feel free to leer at me I think you’re all doing it right now
think you’re all doing it right now
think you’re all doing it right now anyways it doesn’t really matter but
anyways it doesn’t really matter but
anyways it doesn’t really matter but that’s what we’re going to do and I’m
that’s what we’re going to do and I’m
that’s what we’re going to do and I’m going to give you five seconds to do it
going to give you five seconds to do it
going to give you five seconds to do it now what we’re going to do when I say go
now what we’re going to do when I say go
now what we’re going to do when I say go is choose some 15 silent seconds and
is choose some 15 silent seconds and
is choose some 15 silent seconds and that’s it all you’re going to do is
that’s it all you’re going to do is
that’s it all you’re going to do is select the person okay ready I want to
select the person okay ready I want to
select the person okay ready I want to hear this invisible pin drop by the way
hear this invisible pin drop by the way
hear this invisible pin drop by the way right here on this stage ready set go
okay stop it doesn’t make a difference
okay stop it doesn’t make a difference who you choose like most things in life
who you choose like most things in life
who you choose like most things in life the only important thing is that you
the only important thing is that you
the only important thing is that you make a choice and so you’ve already made
make a choice and so you’ve already made
make a choice and so you’ve already made that choice that’s great where we are
that choice that’s great where we are
that choice that’s great where we are going to look at another at another
going to look at another at another
going to look at another at another person yes but we are also we are also
person yes but we are also we are also
person yes but we are also we are also going to open ourselves up to the
going to open ourselves up to the
going to open ourselves up to the possibility in the probability that
possibility in the probability that
possibility in the probability that other people are going to be looking at
other people are going to be looking at
other people are going to be looking at you and we are going to find something
you and we are going to find something
you and we are going to find something unique in each other something we
unique in each other something we
unique in each other something we weren’t aware of before now and we’re
weren’t aware of before now and we’re
weren’t aware of before now and we’re going to tuck it away in the backs of
going to tuck it away in the backs of
going to tuck it away in the backs of our minds and save it for later okay now
our minds and save it for later okay now
our minds and save it for later okay now what we’re looking for is a feature this
what we’re looking for is a feature this
what we’re looking for is a feature this could be an item of clothing a
could be an item of clothing a
could be an item of clothing a particular component of that item of
particular component of that item of
particular component of that item of clothing a button a zipper it doesn’t
clothing a button a zipper it doesn’t
clothing a button a zipper it doesn’t matter if you’re within smelling
matter if you’re within smelling
matter if you’re within smelling distance of the person who chose right I
distance of the person who chose right I
distance of the person who chose right I could be a particular perfume or cologne
could be a particular perfume or cologne
could be a particular perfume or cologne if the person you selected has a three
if the person you selected has a three
if the person you selected has a three year old and a five year old at home
year old and a five year old at home
year old and a five year old at home like I do then maybe you can pick out a
like I do then maybe you can pick out a
like I do then maybe you can pick out a new strand of gray hair because I assure
new strand of gray hair because I assure
new strand of gray hair because I assure you that if they’re like me there’s got
you that if they’re like me there’s got
you that if they’re like me there’s got at least one that’s donning their quaff
at least one that’s donning their quaff
at least one that’s donning their quaff so when I say go I’m going to give you
so when I say go I’m going to give you
so when I say go I’m going to give you five seconds to do this five silent
five seconds to do this five silent
five seconds to do this five silent seconds to select something to put your
seconds to select something to put your
seconds to select something to put your full energy into somebody and what
full energy into somebody and what
full energy into somebody and what you’re going to get out of this very
you’re going to get out of this very
you’re going to get out of this very small it’s easy you know lower the
small it’s easy you know lower the
small it’s easy you know lower the expectations isn’t that the key to
expectations isn’t that the key to
expectations isn’t that the key to happiness what you’re going to get out
happiness what you’re going to get out
happiness what you’re going to get out of this later later tonight tomorrow
of this later later tonight tomorrow
of this later later tonight tomorrow maybe even 10 years from now you’ll be
maybe even 10 years from now you’ll be
maybe even 10 years from now you’ll be able to recall that detail with greater
able to recall that detail with greater
able to recall that detail with greater appreciation than you could possibly
appreciation than you could possibly
appreciation than you could possibly imagine and more than simply being able
imagine and more than simply being able
imagine and more than simply being able to recall the detail the emotional
to recall the detail the emotional
to recall the detail the emotional complexity of this moment here today
complexity of this moment here today
complexity of this moment here today we’ll be right there with it now when I
we’ll be right there with it now when I
we’ll be right there with it now when I say go I’m going to give you five silent
say go I’m going to give you five silent
say go I’m going to give you five silent seconds and I want you to put your
seconds and I want you to put your
seconds and I want you to put your energy on the person and I want you to
energy on the person and I want you to
energy on the person and I want you to select a detail and tuck it away in the
select a detail and tuck it away in the
select a detail and tuck it away in the back of your minds five silent seconds
back of your minds five silent seconds
back of your minds five silent seconds ready set go
okay stop good you’ve made a choice
okay stop good you’ve made a choice Bravo I mean that’s the first step we
Bravo I mean that’s the first step we
Bravo I mean that’s the first step we have just completed the first step of a
have just completed the first step of a
have just completed the first step of a three step process towards finding our
three step process towards finding our
three step process towards finding our place in this world like poets that
place in this world like poets that
place in this world like poets that first step is awareness now awareness is
first step is awareness now awareness is
first step is awareness now awareness is something that poets practice daily we
something that poets practice daily we
something that poets practice daily we are always on the lookout for new
are always on the lookout for new
are always on the lookout for new material but our material can range from
material but our material can range from
material but our material can range from an ordinary wooden cooking spoon to a a
an ordinary wooden cooking spoon to a a
an ordinary wooden cooking spoon to a a mode of dust on the wing of a
mode of dust on the wing of a
mode of dust on the wing of a death’s-head moth to that first warm
death’s-head moth to that first warm
death’s-head moth to that first warm smell of honeysuckle comes spring and
smell of honeysuckle comes spring and
smell of honeysuckle comes spring and like you and I and everyone else in this
like you and I and everyone else in this
like you and I and everyone else in this room just did together poets we take
room just did together poets we take
room just did together poets we take that piece of material and then we try
that piece of material and then we try
that piece of material and then we try and understand it within the framework
and understand it within the framework
and understand it within the framework of a much larger context take that
of a much larger context take that
of a much larger context take that ordinary wooden cooking spoon I
ordinary wooden cooking spoon I
ordinary wooden cooking spoon I mentioned just a few moments ago an
mentioned just a few moments ago an
mentioned just a few moments ago an ordinary simple device used to mix and
ordinary simple device used to mix and
ordinary simple device used to mix and stir and taste I mean you know if you’ve
stir and taste I mean you know if you’ve
stir and taste I mean you know if you’ve never seen one before you can imagine
never seen one before you can imagine
never seen one before you can imagine it’s a spoon about yay high and it’s in
it’s a spoon about yay high and it’s in
it’s a spoon about yay high and it’s in a lot of kitchens in America that’s what
a lot of kitchens in America that’s what
a lot of kitchens in America that’s what it is but that’s not all it is take that
it is but that’s not all it is take that
it is but that’s not all it is take that ordinary wooden cooking spoon and put in
ordinary wooden cooking spoon and put in
ordinary wooden cooking spoon and put in the hands of my grandmother who passed
the hands of my grandmother who passed
the hands of my grandmother who passed away almost 20 years ago and watch her
away almost 20 years ago and watch her
away almost 20 years ago and watch her start to stir sallow median cabbage come
start to stir sallow median cabbage come
start to stir sallow median cabbage come Christmas Eve maybe she sets it down on
Christmas Eve maybe she sets it down on
Christmas Eve maybe she sets it down on the counter for a second to rub her
the counter for a second to rub her
the counter for a second to rub her aching hands maybe the entire kitchen
aching hands maybe the entire kitchen
aching hands maybe the entire kitchen the entire house is starting to smell of
the entire house is starting to smell of
the entire house is starting to smell of sweet Italian sausage a peasant’s dish
sweet Italian sausage a peasant’s dish
sweet Italian sausage a peasant’s dish brought over from the old world maybe
brought over from the old world maybe
brought over from the old world maybe outside the kitchen window an iced-over
outside the kitchen window an iced-over
outside the kitchen window an iced-over tree branch snaps with a sudden warmth
tree branch snaps with a sudden warmth
tree branch snaps with a sudden warmth maybe take that ordinary wooden cooking
maybe take that ordinary wooden cooking
maybe take that ordinary wooden cooking spoon and put in the hands of someone
spoon and put in the hands of someone
spoon and put in the hands of someone you love or have loved and let them cook
you love or have loved and let them cook
you love or have loved and let them cook for you Ralph Waldo Emerson says in his
for you Ralph Waldo Emerson says in his
for you Ralph Waldo Emerson says in his essay nature that the poet’s job is to
essay nature that the poet’s job is to
essay nature that the poet’s job is to be the one who’s I can integrate all the
be the one who’s I can integrate all the
be the one who’s I can integrate all the parts can integrate all of the parts
parts can integrate all of the parts
parts can integrate all of the parts that’s yourself included it may sound
that’s yourself included it may sound
that’s yourself included it may sound great but integrating all the parts
great but integrating all the parts
great but integrating all the parts a lot easier said than done I’d argue to
a lot easier said than done I’d argue to
a lot easier said than done I’d argue to do it you have to slow yourself down and
do it you have to slow yourself down and
do it you have to slow yourself down and put yourself in a quiet vulnerable space
put yourself in a quiet vulnerable space
put yourself in a quiet vulnerable space and in this age of Twitter storms and
and in this age of Twitter storms and
and in this age of Twitter storms and the forthcoming fleet of Amazon drones
the forthcoming fleet of Amazon drones
the forthcoming fleet of Amazon drones delivering instant gratification to our
delivering instant gratification to our
delivering instant gratification to our doorsteps from the touch of a device we
doorsteps from the touch of a device we
doorsteps from the touch of a device we carry on our pockets 24 hours a day
carry on our pockets 24 hours a day
carry on our pockets 24 hours a day slowing ourselves down in putting
slowing ourselves down in putting
slowing ourselves down in putting ourselves into a vulnerable space it’s
ourselves into a vulnerable space it’s
ourselves into a vulnerable space it’s become a notoriously difficult step for
become a notoriously difficult step for
become a notoriously difficult step for us some say it’s impossible but I think
us some say it’s impossible but I think
us some say it’s impossible but I think I think that if we just simply start to
I think that if we just simply start to
I think that if we just simply start to recognize that each passing moment is
recognize that each passing moment is
recognize that each passing moment is something that is as rich and complex
something that is as rich and complex
something that is as rich and complex and elegant is a fine piece of chocolate
and elegant is a fine piece of chocolate
and elegant is a fine piece of chocolate or is a remarkably good glass of wine
or is a remarkably good glass of wine
or is a remarkably good glass of wine and then we can start we can just barely
and then we can start we can just barely
and then we can start we can just barely scratch the surface that’s starting to
scratch the surface that’s starting to
scratch the surface that’s starting to appreciate just how good we’ve all got
appreciate just how good we’ve all got
appreciate just how good we’ve all got it we take so much for granted every
it we take so much for granted every
it we take so much for granted every single person here takes everything so
single person here takes everything so
single person here takes everything so much for granted every single day but
much for granted every single day but
much for granted every single day but not today today I promise you you were
not today today I promise you you were
not today today I promise you you were going to find your place in this world
going to find your place in this world
going to find your place in this world like a poet so we are going to look at
like a poet so we are going to look at
like a poet so we are going to look at the person that we selected again and
the person that we selected again and
the person that we selected again and this time when you’re looking at them I
this time when you’re looking at them I
this time when you’re looking at them I want you to acknowledge that their body
want you to acknowledge that their body
want you to acknowledge that their body has known summers heat and winters cold
has known summers heat and winters cold
has known summers heat and winters cold and springs passion and autumns
and springs passion and autumns
and springs passion and autumns heartbreak and that the person looking
heartbreak and that the person looking
heartbreak and that the person looking out from inside has a history in a
out from inside has a history in a
out from inside has a history in a future in their present form that is
future in their present form that is
future in their present form that is absolutely finite and I want you when I
absolutely finite and I want you when I
absolutely finite and I want you when I say go to acknowledge them like this and
say go to acknowledge them like this and
say go to acknowledge them like this and be still with them and open yourself up
be still with them and open yourself up
be still with them and open yourself up to the possibility of being completely
to the possibility of being completely
to the possibility of being completely vulnerable in all of our present
vulnerable in all of our present
vulnerable in all of our present completeness ready set go
okay stop you’ve just completed the
okay stop you’ve just completed the second step towards finding your place
second step towards finding your place
second step towards finding your place in this world like a poet that second
in this world like a poet that second
in this world like a poet that second step is vulnerability vulnerability
step is vulnerability vulnerability
step is vulnerability vulnerability means that you have now accepted the
means that you have now accepted the
means that you have now accepted the world around you just as the world
world around you just as the world
world around you just as the world around you has accepted you in turn the
around you has accepted you in turn the
around you has accepted you in turn the world after all wants to accept us it
world after all wants to accept us it
world after all wants to accept us it wants us to put down roots and it helps
wants us to put down roots and it helps
wants us to put down roots and it helps our roots to take hold it’s the place
our roots to take hold it’s the place
our roots to take hold it’s the place where we love each other and hold each
where we love each other and hold each
where we love each other and hold each other in March and protests and bow to
other in March and protests and bow to
other in March and protests and bow to worship and learn customs and beg
worship and learn customs and beg
worship and learn customs and beg forgiveness our very existence in this
forgiveness our very existence in this
forgiveness our very existence in this room on this planet in this moment in
room on this planet in this moment in
room on this planet in this moment in time is a passionate affront to
time is a passionate affront to
time is a passionate affront to non-existence and as a poet no where is
non-existence and as a poet no where is
non-existence and as a poet no where is our passion exerted more fiercely I’d
our passion exerted more fiercely I’d
our passion exerted more fiercely I’d argue and more memorably as it is
argue and more memorably as it is
argue and more memorably as it is through the vehicle of language within
through the vehicle of language within
through the vehicle of language within the halls of poetry when asked for her
the halls of poetry when asked for her
the halls of poetry when asked for her personal definition of poetry poet and
personal definition of poetry poet and
personal definition of poetry poet and Carson responded if prose is a house if
Carson responded if prose is a house if
Carson responded if prose is a house if prose is a house then poetry is a man on
prose is a house then poetry is a man on
prose is a house then poetry is a man on fire running quite fast through it now
fire running quite fast through it now
fire running quite fast through it now what I want to do is I want to put you
what I want to do is I want to put you
what I want to do is I want to put you in a framework where you can understand
in a framework where you can understand
in a framework where you can understand a little bit about what I do with poetry
a little bit about what I do with poetry
a little bit about what I do with poetry and kind of what it means in the grand
and kind of what it means in the grand
and kind of what it means in the grand scheme of things try and recall
scheme of things try and recall
scheme of things try and recall everybody in here try and recall the
everybody in here try and recall the
everybody in here try and recall the first time that you ever told someone
first time that you ever told someone
first time that you ever told someone that you love them not your mommy not
that you love them not your mommy not
that you love them not your mommy not your daddy not your grandpa somebody
your daddy not your grandpa somebody
your daddy not your grandpa somebody outside of the Family Circle slight
outside of the Family Circle slight
outside of the Family Circle slight caveat when you didn’t know if they were
caveat when you didn’t know if they were
caveat when you didn’t know if they were going to say I love you back can you
going to say I love you back can you
going to say I love you back can you recall the space between the moment when
recall the space between the moment when
recall the space between the moment when the words escaped your mouth in the air
the words escaped your mouth in the air
the words escaped your mouth in the air into which they escaped that’s the place
into which they escaped that’s the place
into which they escaped that’s the place where poetry lips but poetry two lives
where poetry lips but poetry two lives
where poetry lips but poetry two lives in the place where in exertion of words
in the place where in exertion of words
in the place where in exertion of words impressive some force on a take it for
impressive some force on a take it for
impressive some force on a take it for granted social or cultural norm and then
granted social or cultural norm and then
granted social or cultural norm and then recoils at the slightest touch poems are
recoils at the slightest touch poems are
recoils at the slightest touch poems are themselves these kind of metaphors for
themselves these kind of metaphors for
themselves these kind of metaphors for both fragility and strength it’s why
both fragility and strength it’s why
both fragility and strength it’s why poets often read poems at funerals and
poets often read poems at funerals and
poets often read poems at funerals and at weddings
at weddings
at weddings the greek word for poem poema means made
the greek word for poem poema means made
the greek word for poem poema means made thing poems are made things that exist
thing poems are made things that exist
thing poems are made things that exist in spite of their transients like an end
in spite of their transients like an end
in spite of their transients like an end table or Ferrari or fat gold watch and
table or Ferrari or fat gold watch and
table or Ferrari or fat gold watch and poems take on the features of their
poems take on the features of their
poems take on the features of their makers and the customs of the time and
makers and the customs of the time and
makers and the customs of the time and place in which they were created in the
place in which they were created in the
place in which they were created in the way that big fat gold watch takes on the
way that big fat gold watch takes on the
way that big fat gold watch takes on the features of its maker and gives us a
features of its maker and gives us a
features of its maker and gives us a platform where from we can view the
platform where from we can view the
platform where from we can view the mechanics of time in space an item of
mechanics of time in space an item of
mechanics of time in space an item of clothing a piece of jewelry a particular
clothing a piece of jewelry a particular
clothing a piece of jewelry a particular perfume these are all things that
perfume these are all things that
perfume these are all things that possess a history and a life of their
possess a history and a life of their
possess a history and a life of their own that we hardly ever notice and we
own that we hardly ever notice and we
own that we hardly ever notice and we rarely fully inspect but today like
rarely fully inspect but today like
rarely fully inspect but today like poets we are taking none of that for
poets we are taking none of that for
poets we are taking none of that for granted I’m going to ask you to look at
granted I’m going to ask you to look at
granted I’m going to ask you to look at the person one more time that you
the person one more time that you
the person one more time that you selected and this time I want you to
selected and this time I want you to
selected and this time I want you to take out whatever detail that was no
take out whatever detail that was no
take out whatever detail that was no matter how small and seemingly
matter how small and seemingly
matter how small and seemingly insignificant and I want you to
insignificant and I want you to
insignificant and I want you to reexamine it in this moment now and I
reexamine it in this moment now and I
reexamine it in this moment now and I want you to acknowledge that that little
want you to acknowledge that that little
want you to acknowledge that that little detail contains an entire universe that
detail contains an entire universe that
detail contains an entire universe that is far far greater than its own little
is far far greater than its own little
is far far greater than its own little ordinary mundane overlooked existence
ordinary mundane overlooked existence
ordinary mundane overlooked existence when I say go five silent seconds put
when I say go five silent seconds put
when I say go five silent seconds put your energy into it and look at that
your energy into it and look at that
your energy into it and look at that detail ready set go
okay stop you just completed the final
okay stop you just completed the final step towards finding your place in this
step towards finding your place in this
step towards finding your place in this world like a poet that final step is
world like a poet that final step is
world like a poet that final step is passion passion is the light that we
passion passion is the light that we
passion passion is the light that we bring to the ordinary around us
bring to the ordinary around us
bring to the ordinary around us according to Thomas Martin each one of
according to Thomas Martin each one of
according to Thomas Martin each one of us possesses the light of a billion suns
us possesses the light of a billion suns
us possesses the light of a billion suns if he was even half right imagine just
if he was even half right imagine just
if he was even half right imagine just how bright we are in this room together
how bright we are in this room together
how bright we are in this room together right now all around us we feel we know
right now all around us we feel we know
right now all around us we feel we know that there is this coming sadness of
that there is this coming sadness of
that there is this coming sadness of death and yet we are inundated with a
death and yet we are inundated with a
death and yet we are inundated with a present in passionate joy of living in
present in passionate joy of living in
present in passionate joy of living in each of the items and components and
each of the items and components and
each of the items and components and features that we carry around with us
features that we carry around with us
features that we carry around with us through this journey called life they
through this journey called life they
through this journey called life they possess an energy that is as remarkable
possess an energy that is as remarkable
possess an energy that is as remarkable and relevant as the walls around us the
and relevant as the walls around us the
and relevant as the walls around us the chair beneath you or the stage under my
chair beneath you or the stage under my
chair beneath you or the stage under my feet the earth has been hurdling you
feet the earth has been hurdling you
feet the earth has been hurdling you through time and space for sixty suffer
through time and space for sixty suffer
through time and space for sixty suffer at 67,000 miles per hour for your entire
at 67,000 miles per hour for your entire
at 67,000 miles per hour for your entire life for your entire life think about
life for your entire life think about
life for your entire life think about that and yet here we are together in
that and yet here we are together in
that and yet here we are together in this present stillness each of us is now
this present stillness each of us is now
this present stillness each of us is now exerting the immense pressure of
exerting the immense pressure of
exerting the immense pressure of ourselves into this place where we have
ourselves into this place where we have
ourselves into this place where we have now been fully integrated through
now been fully integrated through
now been fully integrated through awareness and vulnerability and
awareness and vulnerability and
awareness and vulnerability and passionate intensity integrated like
passionate intensity integrated like
passionate intensity integrated like poets this is a place you now fully
poets this is a place you now fully
poets this is a place you now fully belong
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