Conversations with Virgin Mary
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The Best Way to Win at Chess
Conversations with Virgin Mary The snowstorm had passed, and me and my wife started shoveling the snow from the driveway. It took us about an hour to clear the pathway. All the neighbors were doing the same. Some used snowblowers—loud, efficient, impossible to ignore. Most of us, though, relied on the same plastic shovels you…
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I am traveling on a bullet train, while you are still relying on a diesel engine.
Conversations with Virgin Mary I returned from Guadalajara and went to see Jorge to wish him a Happy New Year. The contrast was brutal. Back from Mexico, where light and dust linger in the air, to snow everywhere. The sidewalks were barely walkable, the neighborhood reduced to a narrow path between piles of ice. I…
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Designing Your Own Rollercoaster
The passage reflects on the metaphor of life as a roller coaster, emphasizing the unpredictability and emotional challenges it presents. The author shares personal experiences with their mother, who recounts a difficult marriage with a mentally ill husband. Through listening deeply, the author explores themes of suffering, presence, and processing past trauma.
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The Shower is Clogged
The text illustrates how both showerheads and people can become “clogged” over time due to unresolved stress and emotions. Just as a clogged showerhead requires cleaning or replacement, individuals must confront their own accumulation of suffering to maintain efficiency. While small acts can provide temporary relief, the inevitable decline remains.
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Blaming the stove for your misfortune
In Guadalajara, the narrator visits their mother, whose health has improved after treatment for Parkinson’s. However, her mood fluctuates with family interactions, highlighting the emotional complexity of their relationships. A discovered folder contains letters suggesting that understanding family dynamics can lead to healing, much like learning to handle a stove safely.
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Ants!
The narrative explores the concept of jettisoning inherited roles and traditions, likening humans to ants that blindly follow established paths. As the author prepares for a unique Christmas with their mother, they embrace spontaneity, opting for new culinary experiences rather than tradition, emphasizing personal agency in shaping one’s journey and choices.
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Tilt!
Conversations with Virgin Mary Saturday May 29 “Oh no. Tilt.”The word flashes in red, and the ball goes limp—flippers locked, momentum gone. A moment earlier you thought you had the angle, the timing, the control. But the machine decided otherwise; one nudge too far, and everything you’d built—points, progress, the fragile sense of mastery—vanished with…
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Broken Heart Syndrome isn’t poetry—it’s diagnosis.
The narrative explores themes of personal grievances and the repetitive nature of life experiences, likening them to a soap opera. Characters grapple with unresolved family issues and the impact of belief on physical and emotional health. Ultimately, it emphasizes the importance of reshaping one’s mindset to unlock new perspectives and move forward.
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Unleashed
The post reflects on the profound connections we have with our pets and children, highlighting how our treatment of them influences their behavior. Through personal anecdotes and conversations, the author explores themes of kindness, understanding, and the importance of reconciling with past relationships, particularly with family, to foster healing and trust.
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Don’t Wait Idly
Conversations with Virgin Mary Friday, May 26 Waiting idly is a waste of time. Use these moments for your benefit instead, try practising presence. Tonight, you’ll have guests, so you decided to make something special for supper, Tacos al Pastor: First the marinade—twenty-four hours soaking pork loin in dried chiles—then another twenty-four hours sous-viding, because…
Carlos Fentanes 