life
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Waxing a wooden floor is a simple task
In a conversation about proposals, a character expresses disappointment over a rejection from the David Suzuki Foundation, while remaining hopeful about alternatives. They explore the complexities of advocacy, drawing parallels between life and waxing floors. Through connection and persistence, they emphasize the importance of understanding one’s path, leading to unexpected opportunities.
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Algebra and Brussels Sprouts
Conversations with Virgin Mary I showed up at Jorge’s on a Saturday morning. The sun was out and the snow was starting to melt. Virgo was on the porch again, stretched in a warm spot like she had been waiting for the weather to change. Seeing her there felt like a small sign that winter…
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Slowness
The conversation between Jorge and the narrator explores the contrasting modes of thinking: fast, automatic responses versus slower, analytical reasoning. Jorge emphasizes the importance of taking time to slow down and appreciate complexity, cautioning against the dangers of quick, superficial answers. The journey itself, rather than swift arrivals, holds true meaning and depth.
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Meditating in your Laundry Room
The narrative intertwines a chess game between Bill Gates and Magnus Carlsen with a personal reflection on learning and self-discovery through conversations with Jorge. As they discuss chess and life’s challenges, the author contemplates how mundane tasks like doing laundry serve as a form of meditation, fostering personal growth and connection.
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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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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…
Carlos Fentanes 