Middle-Aged Hippie
I’ve admitted to being a middle-aged hippie in an article in The Irish Independent. It’s a ‘Guest Columnist’ piece in today’s ‘Weekend’ magazine. I don’t look like a hippie in the accompanying photo. I scrubbed up and put on some make-up. And I also rubbed brown eye-shadow onto bits of grey hair. Must go to the hairdresser and get my highlights re-done one of these days.
Found myself taking life a bit too seriously earlier this week. Suddenly a lot of things seemed frightfully ‘important’. So I was very grateful when a fellow I’ve exchanged some emails with told me about a place called the Shambhala Meditation Centre in Dublin. They have gatherings there on Wednesday evenings. I went along and sat on a cushion for quite a while and noticed my breath. It really helped! I had tea afterwards and some sweet snacks and fun chats with other meditators. ‘Don’t take it serious, it’s too mysterious’ as the song says.
By the way, wonderful JK Rowling gave a beautiful speech at Harvard recently. It’s about the fringe benefits of failure and the importance of the imagination. You can watch a film of her delivering it at http://harvardmagazine.com/go/jkrowling.html
Lots of love,
Grace
Hi Grace I have just been reading your Irish Independent August Column. I found it very interesting and at odd with my life because of the childhood I had.
Kim Belinberg from your paper wrote a column about my book a couple of weeks ago for which I am very greatful.
The Fingal County Council is holding a recepion next Wednesday at 7PM if you have the time you are most welcome to come as yourself no acting required. Bye for now Patrick Touher
Dear Patrick,
It was lovely to get your message. Thank you so much for your kind comments about the article. I looked you up on the Internet. Your book sounds very brave and one that needed to be written. I’m sure it will help many others. I hope you have a wonderful book launch tomorrow. Congratulations! It seems like a labour of love.
Warm wishes, admiration and much gratitude,
Grace