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Comforting Thought: Introverts mature more gracefully than extroverts

Some extraverted people can avoid being introverted and turning inwards, for years at a time. Later in life, self-reflection becomes important for everyone. In short, introverts may mature more gracefully. So you are in good company. Ignore the barbs about ‘lightening up’. Enjoy the levity of others and allow yourself your own specialty. If you’re not good at chit-chat, be proud of your silence. Equally important, when your mood changes and your extroverted self appears, let it be as clumsy and silly as it needs to be. We are all awkward doing our non-specialty. You possess one piece of the ‘good’. It would be arrogance to think any of us should have it all.
Dr Elaine Aron, “The Highly Sensitive Person’

Read my review: The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron

For some of you, reading this book may be like holding a mirror up to yourself and really seeing yourself for the first time. This was most definitely the case for me.

Publisher: Penguin

Genre: Non-Fiction, Psychology, Spirituality.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Book Review: The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Dr Elaine Aron

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Book Review: Unpolished Gem by Alice Pung

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Publisher: Black Inc Books

Genre: Non-fiction, autobiography, Australian history, SE Asia.

Review in one word: Witty

This is vivid story of a family of migrants who flee from the killing fields of Cambodia to the inner west of Melbourne to find sanctuary in the early 80’s. Told from the perspective of the narrator Alice Pung, this is a master work of modern Australian non-fiction.

There is a light-hearted, funny and amusing tone to the story at times. Although there is also a fair share of darkness as well as light, with the overhanging spectre of war and genocide never too far away in the family’s memory. This depiction of an intense, strong-minded, close-knit Chinese Cambodian family living in a multi-generational setting is witty, powerful and remarkable.

On arrival to Australia, Alice’s parents and grandparents experience shock, awe and wonder at the clean, orderly and lawful streets and suburbs of Australia in comparison to Cambodia. This is a lesson for people born here to realise how lucky they are.

There are darker undercurrents to this story as well. Alice as a child is used as a tool of emotional manipulation between her mother and grandmother. She needs to adapt and cope in a variety of ways. There is a heavy burden ever-present on Alice’s shoulders as she experiences severe depression as a 17 year old, as a result of intense family pressure and expectation of high academic achievement.

I could relate to the experience of ‘otherness’ in the book. In amidst the very white (and somewhat bland) narrative of Australian culture, being ‘othered’ can be a discombobulating and disorienting experience as a young person. Finding yourself can be made extra hard during this vulnerable time when you look different from the mainstream and come from a family that has a different language or different cultural traditions.

She recounts her debutante ball:

We were on the only fully “ethnically-enhanced” table. Neylan’s mother in her jibab, Natalia’s generous, gregarious Russian parents and Nina’s glamorous Vietnamese parents. These were parents who didn’t know much English, who drove taxis and sewed collars by the boxful to send their children to a school such as this and watch them mingle with the upper eschelons of society – the children of doctors, lawyers and professionals.
That night our parents realised something that probably shook them from their sleeping dream. They realised that their children were watchers, just as they were. We watched everyone else, as tonight we watched our classmates in their smart suits and sophisticated frocks climb onto the stage to pose for photographs.

There is a beautiful sadness to this book and at times a sweet and gentle humour to it as well. Even if you are not Asian or Australian, you will still able to relate to this story and it’s emotionally raw depiction of being a young person and the complex power dynamics of extended families. The vulnerable fumblings and sproutings of nascent self-confidence and self-belief are all here, along with a curiosity and hope for the future. This is a beautifully rendered coming-of-age tale. I would give it four stars.

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Comforting Thought: The blue of distance, the green of time

Terry-Watkinson-Dawn-at-Stillwater-Creek

The blue of distance – the green of time

Rebecca Solnit wrote of the ‘blue of distance’:

“The colour of hills that recede layer upon layer into the horizon. Well this is the green of time. The green that grows from nothing, anything if left for long enough.”

It comes at first as mildew and mould. A misting of green-grey, or mustard-green, the green of decay. But then it grows into a verdant palette of new life: leaf green, lime green, the green of fresh new shoots.

Over time, the place where no man could step without risk of arrest or bloody death, or international crises other life slowly takes hold. Cacti tumble from balconies, palms spring up in the middle of roads. Each one has a timer set ticking, a marker of time passed in a bloody stalemate.

Book Review: Islands of Abandonment: Life in the Post-Human Landscape by Cal Flynn

Extracted from: Islands of Abandonment

Read the review

“What happens when humans foresake and ruin landscapes? They are never truly abandoned. Instead they are engulfed by the non-human world and they become teeming with many other foresaken wild lifeforms. The weeds, plants, insects, birds and large mammals move in and populate these places. Pushed to the brink of extinction elsewhere by the ever-expanding need for human progress – these ugly, abandoned fringes of our world are the places where these animals can finally breathe a sigh of relief.” ~ Cal Flynn

Islands of Abandonment is a book-length poem and an ode to the places humans have used, abused and then rejected due to pollution, war, or physical danger.

Read the review

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10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #91

The Tower of Cambridge Colleges by Mathew Elwood

Noekken Som Hvit Hest by Theodor Severin Kittelsen

Nøkken som hvit hest, 1909 ‘The Nix as a white horse’ is a painting by Norwegian artist Theodor Severin Kittelsen (b. 1857 – d. 1914) He is well known in Norway but less so in other parts of the world for his nature and fantasy paintings depicting fairytales, trolls and mythical creatures. Kittelsen’s style had elements of Neo-Romantic and naïve painting and has been used as the album cover for folk metal and albums.

Read more: Wikiart

Noekken Som Hvit Hest by Theodor Severin Kittelsen, a beautiful and mythical white horse, fantasy art — Noekken Som Hvit Hest by Theodor Severin Kittelsen

Originally tweeted by Theodor Kittelsen (@ArtistKittelsen) on September 25, 2022.

France is going to be one of the first countries in the world to ban fossil fuel advertising

In August, France annouced that they will become the first European country to ban fossil fuels advertising! This includes ads for all energy products relating to fossil fuels and energy from the combustion of coal mining and hydrogen-containing carbons. Ads for natural gas are still allowed but may be phased out in the coming year. Companies caught advertising these environmentally disastrous products could face fines between €20,000 and €100,000.

Via The Happy Broadcast and Euronews Green

Medieval texting abbreviations

If you had a feather and a parchment you were still able to text in those days, but casting a spell or sending a scroll grasped in the talons of a harrier hawk was more effective and timely way to speak to others, if you were locked in an enchanted tower. Via ‘Wrong Hands’ by John Atkinson

Fantano does not rate Thriller as a 10

In my humble opinion Thriller is definitely a 10. However, I am always interested in hearing about what Anthony thinks about these classic albums. I was very surprised that he does not consider Michael Jackson’s Thriller to be a 10/10. Many of the songs on this album really defined the 80’s and also defined so many people’s lives, including my own childhood. On the other hand – ‘The Girl is Mine’ is not that great as a song, I agree.

Carrot and miso soup

This homely, comforting and healthy vegan soup looks so delicious and so I can’t wait to try it. I would not blend the soup at the end, I really don’t like soups that are smooth and without chunks. I prefer them hearty what about you?

Existence has its own reason for being

I prefer the time of insects to the time of stars.
I prefer to knock on wood.
I prefer not to ask how much longer and when.
I prefer keeping in mind even the possibility that existence has its own reason for being.
—Wisława Szymborska “Possibilities”

Soviet Electro 1984 Gymnastics

A bit weird, a bit quirky but definitely interesting and funky.

The Tower of Cambridge Colleges by Mathew Elwood

Wow I love the fun, top-heavy way this towers above the landscape, there is a real fantastical element to this painting that just does it for me, it is perfect. Via Mathew Elwood’s website

The Undeparted: an award winning documentary film about spirits, attachments, and people

Healing my inner child

“Healing my inner child – inside of my heart I still feel like a kid.” by Glorie Coeur.

Don’t we all love!

Originally tweeted by glorie (@gloriecoeur) on April 3, 2022.

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Comforting Thought: Viktor Frankl knew a lot about finding meaning even in the worst situations

Comforting Thought: Victor Frankl knew a lot about finding meaning even in the worst situations

Frankl was a Jewish psychiatrist who was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp. He was a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and in his famous book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ he describes how he was called upon to inspire his fellow prisoners, how he intuitively understood what they needed. He observed that under those awful circumstances, prisoners who could gain from others some kind of meaning in their lives survived better psychologically, and therefore physically as well:

Sensitive people who were used to a rich intellectual life may have suffered much pain (they were often of a delicate constitution), but the damage to their inner lives was less. They were able to retreat from their terrible surroundings to a life of inner riches and freedoms. Only in this way can one explain the apparent paradox that some prisoners of less hardy make-up often seemed to survive camp better than did those of a more robust nature.
Viktor Frankl – ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’.

Landscapes by Norwegian painter Even Ulving (1863–1952) — The incredible still life paintings of Victor Muller

The incredible still life paintings of Victor Muller

Read my review: The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron

For some of you, reading this book may be like holding a mirror up to yourself and really seeing yourself for the first time. This was most definitely the case for me.

Publisher: Penguin

Genre: Non-Fiction, Psychology, Spirituality.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Content Catnip

Ancient Word of the Day: Komorebi

This Japanese word has no direct translation to English but means ‘the sunlight filtering through the leaves of the trees’. It is made up of three Kanji characters:

木 means tree

漏 means ‘to leak’ or ‘to escape’

日 means sun

Komorebi 木漏日 ~ from Japanese. ‘Sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees

Ginkaku-Ji temple gardens, Kyoto © Content Catnip 2018 www.contentcatnip.co — Ginkaku-Ji temple gardens, Kyoto © Content Catnip 2018 http://www.contentcatnip.co

The word is also used for the interplay of leaves and light in the shadows on the ground beneath the trees. The closest equivalent in English probably ‘dappled sunlight’.

Komorebi is particularly beautiful when the sun is low or if there is an early mist or light fog. I never fail to feel restored and rejuvenated by this magical sight. And don’t we all feel cheered on a beautiful sunny day when the sun makes patterns on the pavement beneath a tree.

We should find a way to get away from artificial light from computer screens, phones and TVs and instead venture outdoors to experience Komorebi.

Old man playing jazz in Kyoto © Content Catnip 2018 www.contentcatnip.com

Old man playing jazz in Kyoto © Content Catnip 2018 http://www.contentcatnip.com

Extracted from Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing by Dr Qing Li

Read review

Book Review: Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing by Dr Qing Li

Read review

[Pictured: Ryoan-Ji zen garden in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Content Catnip 2018]

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https://artedeleo.bigcartel.com/product/it-ll-come

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #90

In edition #90, we take a gander at the threads worn by medieval maidens, wear plastic helmets in the hairdressers, understand female shamanism and sip some healthy drinks and much more. I hope you enjoy these…

The colours of medieval fashion were natural, warming and comforting

I love the deep marigolds and oranges here. They were sourced from plant based dyes.

Originally tweeted by ALWAYS LEARNING (@planetearthx2) on September 26, 2022.

However, Not all ancient colours came from plants. When I researched the names of months of the year in Polish I discovered that:

Czerwiec (June) takes its name from the humble worm czerw in Polish. Why? in ancient times, June was the month when these worms slithered out of the underworld and into the woods. Known as Polish cochineals Porphyrophora polonica, they were used to produce a red dye, which become a symbolic Polish colour of carmine, used in furniture, garments and even the Polish flag. The Polish word for red: czerwony also comes from the humble worm, the czerw.
Read more

EU Parliament votes in favour to phase out animal testing the EU

The EU Parliament has voted in favour of phasing out animal testing in the EU. An amazing result for animal rights advocates and animals in Europe.

The resolution for change was championed by HSI Europe and other animal rights groups and received overwhelming cross-party support. This shows that MEPs understand that growing dismay for how animals are treated. Animals used in research, testing and education are covered. This includes nearly 10 million animals used annually in European laboratories. The Parliament calls for deep, systemic changes, noting that phasing out animal experiments will require “preferential funding of non-animal methods across all EU research and innovation initiatives”.

EU Parliament votes in favour to phase out animal testing the EU

Via the Happy Broadcast & Humane Society International

Floating headgear for the modern 70’s girl

She’s living a futuristic Jetsons lifestyle with Braun. via American Vintage Ads on Twitter

The Air-Cushion Hood Dryer: At Home With a Braun Astronette Hair Dryer From the 1970s#1970s #retro pic.twitter.com/UKg3Bzm02u
— American Vintage Ads (@USA_Vintage_Ads) July 21, 2022

A starry night of mystery and wonder. Alex Ruiz’s Visual Alchemy

Female shamans and medicine women of history

Arith Hargar’s channel about the history of paganism is really great. He focuses a lot on Sami and Siberian indigenous peoples but he sometimes mentions other indigenous peoples. This video is fascinating if you are interested in pagan spirituality.

Loods and Mall Grab: Love is Real

Mall Grab is the master of feel good, funky house and techno. In this video clip he follows his beautiful golden retriever around a forest and lake. It really works as a video and the song itself is the perfect happy summer tune.

Anti-inflammatory fruity drinks

I love how fruits and vegetables stop inflammation and disease and how many different ways we can inject these into our every day diet. This YT channel is very colourful, beautifully produced and positive.

I hope you heal from the things

Originally tweeted by Leȯ (@soleoado) on May 26, 2022.

Ghost Coral by Rogan Brown

Rogan Brown’s exquisitely detailed paper art is a real sight to behold. He has thrilled many people with his past paper artistry of bacteria, archaea, fungi and organs in the human body. Now he invites us into a new realm of corals. His Magical Circle Variations is an homage to endangered reef habitats.

“What the reef and the microbiome have in common is that they both consist of biodiverse colonies of organisms that coexist more or less harmoniously. There are further parallels between coral and human beings in that we are both symbiont organisms, that is we depend on a mutually beneficial relationship with another species: coral only receive their beautiful colours from varieties of algae that live on them and human beings can only exist thanks to the unimaginably huge and diverse number of bacteria that live in and on them.”
Rogan Brown interviewed in Colossal

Mr. Doodle loves to doodle…on everything!

Artist Mr Doodle has spent two years covering every square cm of his £1.35 million home in doodles, working his way through 900 litres of emulsion, 401 cans of spray paint, 286 bottles of drawing paint, and 2,296 pen nibs.

Mr Doodle is a British street artist known for his busy, light-hearted doodles that spread across walls, rooms, and even his own custom-doodled attire. Fast emerging on the international art market, Mr Doodle collaborates with well-known brands including Fendi, Converse, Puma, Samsung, and MTV.

Sam Cox AKA Mr Doodle was born in Kent in 1994. He has always loved doodling on schoolbooks, bedroom walls, furniture, and, later, the walls of local restaurants and schools. He has a BA in Illustration at the University of West England in Bristol in 2015. Via Interesting as Fuck on Reddit

A cute frog at the moment of sleep

Imbue by Living Tree Poetry

Everything beautiful rings,

vibrates as a pan flute
echoing across the hills,
as the sunset pours itself out
of its last vestiges of paint.

Everything beautiful disturbs,

like a kitten
amongst freshly ordered clothes,
that we need to start again
building piles,
restoring the ordinary.

Or the stop start of the heart
at the flash of a scene against the
backdrop of the mind,
catching our breath,
sending us sideways.

Yes, everything beautiful
leaves its intimate mark,
carries with it the possibility of
forfeiture,
even before it arrives,
starts.

Just as the sunset now,
imbued with soft hues,
rings,
melts into the night.

I hope you are feeling settled and have smiled a little bit now, take a bow you made it through edition #90 let me know what you think below…

Content Catnip

Comforting Thought: Hens are the goodness of the universe

Book Review: Ordinary Beauty: Meaningful Moments in Everyday Life by Mary McEvoy- Mother Hen with chicks

This morning, a friend and I hung over the half door, watching a mother hen feeding her chickens. The hen bustled around breaking up the bread into crumbs small enough to feed her tiny, hungry offspring. The clucking sound she made was the essential sound of motherhood, the goodness of the universe was in that little shed.
Ordinary Beauty: Meaningful Moments in Everyday Life by Mary McEvoy

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Book Review: The Discomfort of Evening by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Genre: Fiction, Psychological thriller, Literary Fiction.

Review in one word: Subconscious

Originally published in Dutch and winning the Man Booker International Prize in 2018, Lucas Rijneveld’s debut novel captures in bloody, beastly and corporeal detail the lives of a dysfunctional farming family in the rural Netherlands, some time in the 1990s. The protagonist Jas has a powerful, unconventional narrative voice, she is a preteen aged about 12.

When Jas’s brother falls through the ice and unexpectedly dies – deep cracks and fissures form in the family’s connective tissue. They become floating satellites unmoored from each other and are increasingly destructive towards each other as the book progresses.

There is a low almost inaudible hum that is created by this writing. It’s the constant buzz of mental illness, family trauma, blooming pre-pubescent sexual longing, all against the background of a fundamentalist Christian world view.

In the hands of a less skilled writer, this book would be boring and unreadable. However Lucas Rijneveld has turned a deeply dysfunctional, unhappy and unpredictable family into a work of art with her words alone – this is a magnificent achievement.

“I was ten and stopped taking off my coat. That morning, Mum had covered us one by one in udder ointment to protect us from the cold.”
― Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, The Discomfort of Evening

Jas turns to obsessive compulsive behaviours and strange beliefs, which she holds like a protective talisman to come to terms with the chaos of her family. Her older brother and father have malevolent and abusive tendencies. Her mother checks out completely from her body. Circumstances in the family take a dramatic turn (I won’t reveal how here, as I will give away the plot). Suffice to say that this is a strange, pitch black world of driving rain and very little light.

“Even the Big Bear from my favourite picture book, who takes down the moon every night for the Little Bear who is afraid of the dark, is hibernating.”
― Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, The Discomfort of Evening

Normally I would not enjoy such a novel, with such disturbing and confronting themes. However this is written in such a beautiful poetic way that the book cannot simply be abandoned. Instead, it is compulsively readable and in a strange way enjoyable.

This is a book with loads of dark themes and symbols. Although told from the perspective of a child, this book is far from being suitable for children – there is a fair share of Nazi symbolism, animal cruelty, graphic violence and child abuse in here.

This book is “enjoyable” in the same way as it is terrifying to look at a grotesque Francis Bacon painting.

Jas is a unique, oddball and alien narrator of her chaotic world. Her understanding of the world rings true and authentic.

“Nobody knows my heart. It’s hidden deep beneath my coat, my skin, my ribs. My heart was important for nine months inside my mother’s belly, but once I left the belly, everyone stopped caring whether it beat enough times per hour. No one worries when it stops or begins to beat fast, telling me there must be something wrong.”
― Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, The Discomfort of Evening

If this all sounds very unpleasant and awful – it is! However, this is one of those ingenious books that is deeply shocking but can never be abandoned half way – it is simply too good, too compulsive to keep going.

The reader is able to appreciate its grotesque beauty of The Discomfort of Evening, while being shocked and disgusted at the same time. I would recommend reading it, although it may scare the pants off you. Like any great psychological thriller or horror it haunts your mind and stays with you for many weeks afterwards.

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