Resources and Recommendations
In a book written by a Buddhist author I read these profoundly affecting words:
"What you let in you become"
These words changed how I spend my time, energy, and money.
Who you let in is important too.
The following has nourished and enhanced my life. I hope you find some of these suggestions useful:
books television film music health businesses
Books:
I always find guidance and gain sustenance from the books of Pema Chodron and Thich Nhat Hanh. I return to them often. I also love the inspiring and expansive poem Song of Myself by Walt Whitman in which he looks at himself, America, and Americans from a variety of compassionate perspectives.
There are hundreds of books and authors whose work I admire for one reason or another. Jane Austen comes immediately to mind; she got people right. So did Shakespeare. I Capture the Castle, a wonderful coming-of-age novel by Dodie Smith (1948), is the book I wish I had written. I love the fanciful world Welsh author Jasper Fforde has created in his Thursday Next series (The Eyre Affair is book one). And I’m grateful to a good friend for once accusing me of being a literary snob. To prove her wrong I read the first Harry Potter book and was smitten. Would that the message of Harry and his friends inspire all of us to be honest, principled, and committed to doing the right thing no matter what. I wish I had had Harry’s values and integrity when I was younger.
A cancer diagnosis often makes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and heavy medication necessary. I was happy to be distracted and entertained by these ‘gifts’:
The best gift from a stranger: National Public Radio. The news was grim but the programs like Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, Car Talk, and my beloved Prairie Home Companion made me laugh. With the exception of individual college radio programs, NPR is the last bastion of creativity in broadcasting.
The best gift from my husband: Being read to at night and laughing hysterically. He read me four books by travel writer Bill Bryson. We toured America by car, Europe by rail, and managed to get around Australia without getting bitten by anything poisonous. Any book by Bill Bryson is illuminating; most are really funny too.
The best tangible gift I received from a friend: All 50 episodes of the PBS series Rick Steves’ Europe and Travels with Rick Steves. Lots of beautiful and historic images, no plot or characters to keep track of, and Rick is a nice guy. Not only was I flooded with fond travel memories, but I was given another reason to get well--so I can someday return to Venice and Bruges, and go to places I’ve always wanted to visit like Paris, Bavaria and the Highlands of Scotland.
Television:
Television is aggressive and addictive. Eliminating it from my life has brought me peace and given me time to do so many more emotionally and intellectually rewarding things.
There are some great shows out there, but there is also a lot of programming that focuses on humiliation, titillation, degradation, fear and violence. The editing is frenetic. Commercials are loud, tasteless, and harsh.
My last two years with television were spent watching programs I thought of as productive or creative. HGTV (Home and Garden) and the Food Network focused on the positive: people beautifying, restoring or creating. Sadly, the Weather Channel has become sensationalistic (killer storms!!) and the Travel Channel might as well be called the Top Ten channel (top ten nude beaches).
No one is enlightened by reruns of The Beverly Hillbilly’s either.
Film:
Film is perhaps my favorite art form. It’s also where the adage “what you let in you become” really matters. Knowing I’m about to let the energy and imagination of others into my mind, eyes, ears, and heart for 2 or 3 hours makes me very careful. I have eliminated virtually all violence. I recognize the distinction between art and entertainment, but unfortunately, some of my favorite works of cinematic art are very violent: Raging Bull, Apocalypse Now, Fargo. I haven’t seen them in years. I skip movies that focus on scatological humor too. If I don’t like a film, I stop watching.
If you don’t need action or romance I recommend two intensely spiritual films:
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring is a beautiful South Korean film that examines the training of a young Buddhist monk. The seasons pass and the boy grows into manhood learning many important lessons. Note: Rated R for one rough, but appropriate, sex scene.
Into Great Silence is a 169 minute, plotless film that takes us into the Grande Chartreuse, the head monastery of the Carthusian Monks in the French Alps. The Carthusians are a silent order, so although the film is in French, there is very little dialogue. There is chanting, though. Into Great Silence was shot using only natural light by a lone filmmaker who waited 17 years to get permission to get inside. I find the film mesmerizing, but it’s not entertaining in a traditonal way and certainly isn't for everyone.
Two films that emphasize the importance of perspective are also foreign; the classic Japanese film Rashomon by Akira Kurosawa (1950) examines the same awful event from four perspectives; the Italian film Il Postino (1994) examines the power of art, education, and friendship to open the mind and heart. Although not a major work of cinematic art like Rashomon, Il Postino is a lovely, uplifting film, and it features the poetry of Pablo Neruda.
The French film Ponette (1996) looks at death and religion through the eyes of a small child whose mother has died in a car accident. Powerful performance by an actress who was all of 5.
For thought-provoking fun I highly recommend the American film from 2004, I Heart Huckabees. Starring Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin and Jason Schwartzman, this quirky film is about finding the middle path.
Music:
Natural sounds like wind and rain are conducive to feeling calm and relaxed. When I do listen to music it’s almost exclusively classical. I find the lack of lyrics allows me to think well and be productive. And certain periods, instruments, and composers (Purcell, Handel, Correlli, Dowland, Albinoni, Respighi, and Brahms, among others) just make me happy.
When I do choose music with lyrics I try to be uplifted as well as entertained. I am deeply attracted to Sammy Davis Jr. and his inspiring choices: “I’ve Gotta Be Me,” “Yes I Can,” and “Once in a Lifetime.” Sammy is amazing. Of course you can’t go wrong with Sinatra when he swings either, or Ella Fitzgerald, or Sarah Vaughn. And Mel Torme has a light style and perfect pitch.
Give me Cole Porter over Kurt Cobain any day. And the Beatles still, after all these years, delight.
Health:
While attending Stowe Hope, a cancer survivors’ weekend, I was introduced to a product that I feel is truly excellent. It’s called Juice Plus+ and it’s just fruits and vegetables in capsules. The fruits, berries, and vegetables are picked at the peak of ripeness—when they are most nutritious—and juiced. Then the water, sugar, and sodium are removed and the remaining powder is stuffed into capsules or made into good tasting chewables. Juice Plus+ is packed with whole, raw food and is full of vitamins. For more information on this unique and healthful product please go to www.cultivatehealthjp.com
I have had many physical challenges over the decades. Injuries to my neck, back, knees, and feet acquired in dance class, doing gymnastics, studying martial arts, and just plain living have left me really sore. I have failed at yoga—but promise to try again—and never spend enough time stretching. I was hesitant about trying acupuncture. I’m sorry I waited. Jane Melrose LAc, is a Master of Oriental Medicine in Shelburne, Vermont whom I find kind and helpful. Her husband, David Pierson is the best chiropractor I have ever had. I know many people would agree.
Despite the pain, I recognize that my body works hard for me. One of the best ways to thank my body for all it does, including healing, is to treat myself to a massage. I’ve had many during my lifetime. In Vermont I like Sally Burrell LMT from Bristol. In St. Augustine, Florida I swear by Jana Allman LMT at The Peaceful Place.
While in Florida I got amazing results from Glenn Gaffney LMT at Dynamic Body Therapies. Glenn doesn’t do traditional massage, he does KMI, Kinetic Myofascial Integration, (which is similar to Rolfing). Glenn helped me to breathe freely for the first time ever. He also helped my posture.
I also love reflexology. Having my feet massaged feels good but is also good for me. Katherine Windham in Middlebury, Vermont is a wonderful licensed reflexologist.
Physical fitness is essential to my sense of well being and health. Beyond the physical, I also got great emotional and spiritual gifts from studying martial arts. Aikido is a wonderful art that requires physical and mental fitness and discipline. Learning to use and deflect the negative energy of an adversary comes in handy. As you know, most adversaries don’t physically attack us and many aren’t human at all.
Businesses:
I highly recommend these good friends and their businesses:
Mo Charbonneau, MBA at maureen@inspiredbusinessworks.com
Mo is a Master Brainstormer, Planner, and Facilitator who’ll help you plan and implement your creative business ideas. She will inspire you to work to your fullest potential, guide you when it comes to juggling finances, and offer constructive and useful comments about all aspects of starting and running a successful business.
John Sokolich, owner and lead designer at Fusion Web FX, made the process of putting together this website creative, fast, and fun. John has a good eye and is respectful of his client’s vision. www.fusionwebfx.com
Sundial Woodworking. For finely crafted furniture made to your specifications you can’t do better than Phil Sparapani at Sundial Woodworking in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. Phil can be reached at shootthebread@gmavt.net 802-475-2046
Chris Hurd, Realtor, at www.chrishurdvt.com Chris is a smart and honest man who knows and loves Chittenden and Addison county Vermont.
AMV Photography in Vergennes took the portraits you see on this site. After almost a year of cancer treatments, with my hair suddenly curly and a birthday on the way, I wasn’t optimistic that I’d like any of the pictures Ann Marie was taking. I was thrilled with the results and had a difficult time choosing from among so many great pictures. www.amvphotography.com
For a guaranteed delicious meal in Middlebury, check out Tully and Marie’s Restaurant on Bakery Lane. The cuisine is eclectic and everything is fresh. Lots is local.
Also in Middlebury, the Vermont Book Shop and the Middlebury Co-op offer quality and hometown service.