Sometimes we feel like this…working/trying SO hard that our health suffers with ailments like back pain or fatigue…

 

When that happens we view them as messengers, tugging at our sleeve to say:

Slow Down, Take Care, LISTEN even more DEEPLY than you have been to how you are made.

And most importantly,

GIVE UP THE IDEA THAT YOU ARE IN CONTROL AND HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER.

We had to admit “we aren’t” (in control), and “we don’t” (have it all together). We found ourselves having to “undo” the erroneous notion that everyone else is and does.

Stopping and slowing down were the counterintuitive answers. We didn’t do more, we did less. Friends pressed in close with food, words of wisdom, and comfort. And we found not only our energy and health improving, but answers we needed coming as well.

Wild man William S. Burroughs’ offers incisive and resonant words on self-care:

Desperation 2 tone William S Burroughs

 

 

Gif via Hedviggen 

 

If you’ve found illumination, joy, or inspiration in this post, please consider supporting Improvised Life. It only takes a minute to make a secure donation that helps pay our many costs. A little goes a long way towards helping Improvised Life continue to live ad-free in the world.

Support Improvised Life ♥

4 replies on “William S. Burroughs on Finding Answers and Making Changes

  1. I think it is too soon for your return, take a couple of steps back off the grid. Your communique is too full of things to be done, perhaps urgently and the tone is anxiety filled. Step back again, breathe, resolve or give away some things.habits.wishes. The rush you feel is yours, not the universe. We want you to be where you need to be. With love

  2. You know one of those things Burroughs left behind was his son.
    I realize that the critical evaluation of an artists work bares little (and probably shouldn’t) be influenced by his life but William.S was a particularly nasty and amoral character. Most people ignore that when they give him a leg up on to his pedestal.

    Kind Regards,

    Brett.

  3. I appreciate your comment.
    A rude awakening for me when I was about 19 was that an artist’s work doesn’t necessarily bear any reflection on his moral character. That is, I met artists who were personally rather corrupt whose work was wondrous. Big lesson.
    I’ve read various reports of Burrough’s impact on his son that paint various pictures, and clearly his son suffered greatly from an early childhood of terrible experiences. I’ve also heard of Burrough’s trying hard to help his son later on. A friend of mine was very close to Burrough’s and found him to be a great friend and mentor.

    So…what’s the true picture?

    For me his words still hold great wisdom.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *