Laura Alyn Ornelas
@itslauraalyn
educator, artist, and seeker exploring the many ways we come to know the world and ourselves
Laura Alyn Ornelas
theornelian.com
Why is it that shame and pleasure are such close partners?
Quoted by the Wild Geese Podcast by Anna Howard “The Books & Essays That Changed My Life in 2025”
The role of the lover is exactly the same as the role of the artist. If I love you, I must make you aware of the things you do not see.
– James Baldwin
Read from the Wild Geese Podcast by Anna Howard “The Books & Essays That Changed My Life in 2025”
Unfortunately, the pretended battle between (unquestioned) good and (unexamined) evil obscures instead of clarifying, serving as a mere excuse for violence – as brainless, useless, and base as aggressive war in the real world.
– Ursula K Le Guin
Read from the Wild Geese Podcast by Anna Howard “The Books & Essays That Changed My Life in 2025”
Mary Astell, “A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, for the Advancement of Their True and Greatest Interest (In Two Parts).”
84-86
And by that Learning which will be here afforded, and that leisure we have to enquire after it, and to know and reflect on our own minds, we shall rescue our selves out of that woful incogitancy we have slipt into, awaken our
... See moreMary Astell, “A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, for the Advancement of Their True and Greatest Interest (In Two Parts).”
53-63
For since GOD has given Women 53as well as Men intelligent Souls, why should they be forbidden to improve them? Since he has not denied us the faculty of Thinking, why shou’d we not (at least in gratitude to him) employ our
... See moreSOUL and
Mary Astell argues that women, possessing rational and immortal souls equal to men’s, have a moral and spiritual right to education. Denying women intellectual cultivation, she insists, weakens their judgment, distorts their will, and leaves them vulnerable to folly, manipulation, and shallow pursuits. Astell distinguishes true learning from trivial knowledge, warning that idle entertainment and fashionable reading fill the mind without forming wisdom.
She proposes that women be allowed serious study, especially philosophy and theology, not to claim public authority but to understand their faith, govern their lives wisely, and prepare their souls for heaven. Education, for Astell, refines character, deepens piety, and enables women to live purposefully, serve others charitably, and use time well. True religion and learning, she concludes, do not diminish joy but elevate it, aligning reason, devotion, and happiness into a disciplined yet life-giving whole.
Astronaut Scott Kelly on smart: “The smartest person in the...
sublime.app
On Reflective Knowing:
“Sometimes we need to take a step back, assess, figure out what’s important to us, and prioritize it.”
“Balance is never going to be perfect. We’re always going to have overwhelmed moments. We just have to recognize them and recalibrate.”
... See more“We’re allowed to have mess-ups and things that don’t go our way. We accept it and continue
On Value- Based Knowing (a combination of Relational & Empirical Knowing):
“I’m going to keep going back to the theme of values… I take the time to figure out: does what I want to do align with my values?”
“If it does, then: what are the actions I need to take to get there?”
“I align my actions with my values. I set my priorities daily, weekly,
“If you already know what’s going to come—whether it's positive or negative—you want to figure out your approach now so you can be prepared by the time you get there.”
-Cynthia Garcia