Softness

Gentleness has become such a rare thing that when you’re in the presence of someone gentle it feels “undeserved”. Gentleness is the temperature of the human soul. Harshness or detachment are easy to do, which is why many don’t bother cultivating the strength needed for softness.

I recently took up drumming. Again.

One of the first things you realize, other than you suck, is that you’re gripping the sticks too hard.

A tight grip denies certain degrees of freedom, limits subtlety, and ups the fatigue factor. Plus you give up the gift of bounce the drum heads happily offer. It’s like you’re constantly paying interest vs. borrow... See more

~15 years of inner work and the key learning seems to be, ‘find a way to soften and relax’