treasure connection
embrace each fun-packed moment, emoji heart, and genuine expression of good will that you receive
Dear word explorer,
Welcome all my new subscribers, and my latest paying subscriber! In a busy world where our attention is being pulled apart like it is strapped to some fiendish medieval torture device, I appreciate that you are using some of your sacred focus to read these words typed up at my home in the West of Ireland. Thank you!
Today is my birthday!
Above is a coffee mug my dear friend Lorraine gifted me when I lived in New York. On the other side of the mug it says ‘Hippo Birdie Two Ewes’, and that silly joke makes me smile every year. While I drink from it today I will consider the special people in my life, especially those who have passed on, as well as my current pals and those who have stayed with me through my decades of living.
As much as I lament the destructive side of social media, I can admit it to its uses. Today, glad wishes, emojis and animated gifs are streaming to me across a variety of platforms, both public and private. I am heartened and humbled by people’s thoughtfulness. Every small note or icon swells my heart.
Fundamentally, loneliness is a part of the human experience. Even when surrounded by people we can feel disconnected or unseen by others, either because of differences of opinion or personality. This haunting sense of isolation can feed a variety of storylines our inventive brains can conjure up. We may grant credibility to the bad press of our imagined worst case scenarios and exaggerate perceived slights, lacks, and omissions as proof of our solitude (which may be used as evidence in a case about our unworthiness). We begin to overlook or downgrade the presence of our most steady friends or loved-ones. There are many reasons why we do this, not all easily countered, and it is one of the deep flaws of human wiring.
Remember, each of us is an inconstant and biased witness to our own lives. It’s hard to get perspective and a better assessment of our value based on the monkey-chatter of our thoughts. Instead, consider what our good friends and family think of us. Adore every genuine contact, every silly shared meme or love heart, even if it is infrequent. Let go of expectations of behaviour. Fiercely embrace each time someone reaches out to you. They expend energy to do so — each drop can fill our wellbeing bucket… unless we drill holes in the bottom to let it spill out!
So, as I am lifted up on the happy clouds of loving messages, I tell you: you are cherished! You are part of this matrix of interconnected lives and you have inherent value.
I took the above picture about a few hours ago in my front garden. The blossoms are at their peak right now, and so they are prone to being pulled apart by buffeting wind and rain, common events during inconstant April.
This reminds me of the Japanese concept of mono no aware (物の哀れ), which can translate as the “pathos of things” or “an awareness of ephemera” — i.e. all things fade. It’s an aching appreciation of beauty that is simultaneously aware of its transience. This is one of the reasons that the cherry blossom season in Japan is so highly anticipated: within that ten-day period puffs of beauty crowd every bough. The ordinary world is transformed into a palace of wonder… which will melt away.
All the more reason to love it passionately when you witness it. Don’t allow the awareness of its end to taint its current majesty. That is the business of tomorrow (or later this afternoon!). Right now it is perfect. Savour it.
Dull days and storms will eventually arrive to your doorstep, but they are also temporary.
“Whatever is of a nature to arise is bound to pass away.” —The Buddha
For some reason, as a kid I was sensitive to the notion that nothing was permanent. I remember embarking on holidays with an almost sad sense that it would end sooner than I would like. This sensibility has dogged me most of my life, but as I matured I realised it was a subtle reminder to notice and celebrate the present divertissements.
I try to abide in the joyous and allow resentment and fear to dissipate (or at least not allow it to malinger and ruin any merriment).
This practice is so much easier on pleasant Spring days!
In the picture above I love that baby frond! It wasn’t until I examined it closely I noticed the nibbled leaf. For some people that would mean the photo is imperfect, but for me it is the reality of life. Even on a perfect day there may be a bump—don’t allow it to ruin the big picture.
A couple of days ago I scanned my weather app and realised that our little Summer-in-Spring blast of warm, bright weather was about to end. I decided to embark upon a long walk in my local woods and bask in the green optimism of growing plants.
I did not listen to a podcast while I ambled. My phone became my camera for this stroll. At one point I sat on a bench and sank into the beauty of the scene. It suffused me. I thought of the trees, and their vast interconnected systems under my shoes, the golden light, and the balmy light breeze on my skin.
It was a swoon into the ecstasy of existence: the sheer appreciation of being alive in a moment of incandescent stillness.
I set aside doubts and fears and counted my good fortunes: including the simple blessing of being able to witness the sublime view.
This is the limestone seat which was placed under a Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) in 1908 in Coole Park. As long as I’ve been visiting the park it seems like a eternal giant presence in the environment.
On this last day of Summer-in-Spring I laid my cheek upon its sun-warmed smooth bark, epidermis to epidermis, and I considered how I am the transient being from this magnificent tree’s point of view.
Does it view me as the blossom, only drifting past for a short period?
In its holistic communal existence, perhaps it welcomes my brief contact, aware that I will expire, but knowing that all things exist in every moment.
Speaking of holding your transient events close to your heart… I’ll be attending Eastercon in Belfast this weekend. This is the National Convention of the British Science Fiction Association and it is being held Northern Ireland for the first time. It’s been about 18 months since I’ve attended a convention (I decided to take a breather last year), and I’ll be reconnecting with dear friends and hanging out with old acquaintances during the long weekend.
I intend to enjoy every moment! Here’s my schedule.
Friday, 18 April 2025
Launch of the Phantasmagoria magazine’s latest issue, a Celebration of Irish Fantasy and Horror, at Forbidden Planet, Belfast 16:00 - 18:00
Featuring Ramsey Campbell, Trevor Kennedy, Byddi Lee, Ian McDonald, Maura McHugh, Lynda Rucker, Ben Unsworth, & Jo Zebedee (Note that Lynda and I will be there for about 40 minutes before haring off to our next event).
David Lynch Memorial Panel. Hilton - Lagan B; 17:00–18:00
Featuring Gary Couzens, Jonathan Laidlow (moderator), Maura McHugh, Ian Moore, & Lynda Rucker.
Saturday, 19 April 2025
Phantasmagoria Presents a Celebration of Irish Fantasy and Horror. Hilton - Mezzanine Bar; 12:30–13:30
Featuring Ramsey Campbell, Trevor Kennedy, Byddi Lee, Ian McDonald, Maura McHugh, Lynda Rucker, Ben Unsworth, & Jo Zebedee.
Grabbers, Hallows, and Dark Songs: The Surge in Irish Horror Films. Hilton - Broadway. 14:00–15:00
Featuring Dave Cartwright (moderator), Gwen Frazer, Trevor Kennedy, Maura McHugh, & Mark Slater.
Fear in Five Panels: Comics and Horror. Hilton - Boardroom; Sat 17:00–18:00
Ali Baker, Stephen Jones, Maura McHugh, William Simpson, & Mark Slater (moderator).
Sunday, 20 April 2025
Emerald Isle - The Irish talent working in 2000 AD. Hilton - Boardroom; 12.30 - 13:30
Featuring Michael Carroll, Peter Duncan, PJ Holden, Maura McHugh, James Bacon (moderator), & William Simpson.
Devils in the Woods and Fields: The Lasting Appeal of Folk Horror. Hilton; 14:00–15:00
Featuring Stephen Jones, Maura McHugh, Donna Scott (moderator), Mark Slater, & Neil Williamson.
In Conversation - Guest of Honour interview with comic book legend, Will Simpson. ICC - Hall 1 A; 15:30–16:30
I interview Will about his distinguished career as a working artist in multiple media.
It’s a long bank holiday weekend in Ireland, and I wish you all grand adventures and heart-melting beauties in the coming days!
Happy, happy springiest birthday! Much love.
Belated birthday greetings Maura, and enjoy Belfast. Hope you’ve got a great Easter egg. X