Moving On (Again)

Reframing Economic Upheaval as a Call in the Blood in Order to Release Resentment

Image by Tahiti Kulia

I’m in the midst of moving yet again. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve moved. At least 50. Some of the moves have been big, crossing oceans, but most of them have been moves around a small island or city. For instance, in the six years I lived in Washington, DC, I lived in nine different places. In the 25 years of Block Island living, even more, often moving two or three times in one year as the summer tourists came displacing me from a nice, comfy home with indoor plumbing to a series of boats, tents, and even a bus. If you’re wondering about the tents, etc., I loved every minute of that life, once I stopped complaining and being pissed off at rich people.

My new cabin is only 5 minutes down the road, but it’s still unsettling, even without the resentment, and I don’t have anything new to say this week, or at least I think I don’t, because my hands always have something to say when they touch the keyboard.

So let’s ask them what they want to say…

My Hands Speak

Jen, this is your hands speaking. You sat down at this keyboard with an intention. Get to it. Stop being so spontaneous and creative. You need to turn the tap off if you want to get anywhere in this world. most people aren’t into spirals like you are. They don’t have the patience or skill to follow you. They prefer straight lines. Get to the point. You want to communicate, right? Sometimes you have to compromise.

Really? I respond. You want me to turn off the tap and stifle your grace, eloquence, authentic expression, and power?

Well, no….but I do want people to listen to the interview you posted last week. That Norman Minnick is a really smart fellow doing great work in this troubled world. He asked you some great questions about that book we wrote, Piko: A Return to the Dreaming, and the stories about how it affected his students in the womens’ prison are really moving. People didn’t see it because you went off on one of our spirals and buried the link deep in the maelstrom.

You’re right. Thanks, hands. I’m going to post that link again here and keep packing, follow the yellow lines down the center of the road so I can get myself transferred to the new place. If I keep spiraling, I’ll never get it done. Thanks for understanding. I hope you don’t feel stifled. I promise I’ll be back to riff when this is over.

Do you think this is our last move? my hands ask.

Probably not. But that’s just the way things are in the world for single people living paycheck to paycheck in this day and age.

Kind of gloomy.

I know. But honestly, I’d rather accept it than keep wasting my energy on being resentful. Remember what that felt like?

Now that you remind me, yes. There’s a maturity in resignation, isn’t there? I never realized that before this conversation. It doesn’t have to be gloomy. You’re not a loser because you can’t afford a stable home. You don’t have to be pissed at the rich people and landlords. This way, your current will always keep flowing, even in a drought. Not many in this world get to that point.

Like my friends and I used to say back when I lived on that little island moving from tent to mansion to bus to boat, “We’ll be fine when everything collapses. We are already living like it has.”

You were prophets, for sure. And good job, Jen. Nice reframe. Good luck with your move. Take it slow. The memories of nomads lives in your bones. Do them proud, don’t complain, and bless the places that have held you, and welcome those that will come.

I will, hands. And bless you. You’ve got a lot of lifting to do over the next few days.

Thank you, Jen. Now share the link to that interview!

Jen Lighty Interviewed by Norman Minnick

Norman Minnick is an author, editor, publisher, and educator, who also happens to be the book designer and editor of Piko: A Return to the Dreaming, the mythopoetic memoir I published in 2023. He has been teaching a course on mythology in an Indiana womens’ prison, and included my book on the syllabus along with writers I revere like Angela Carter, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, and Martin Shaw.

When Norman told me how much his students loved Piko, I offered to attend their class on Zoom so they could ask me questions. Unfortunately, the prison wouldn’t allow this, but they did permit a recording to be shown. Norman had them write down a list of questions to ask me. The result of this conversation can be heard by clicking on the link above.

To think of these incarcerated women, whose names Norman invokes in the interview since they couldn’t be physically present, reading my book behind bars, a literal Underworld journey, was very moving. I’ve sold about 300 copies of Piko. It has not been read by a lot of people, but that doesn’t diminish its power. I want to thank the women in Norman’s class for revealing that to me.

Please take a look at some of Norman’s books here:

Books by Norman Minnick

I’m forever grateful for his insights that helped shape Piko and the beautiful design he created so the book could shine in the physical world.

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Myth Medicine and Mandala Making

Friday the 13th, 5:30-8:30 in Kealakekua.

If you’re on the Big Island, please join me for a collaborative event with visual artist and author Elle Luna. I’ll be telling the story of Psyche and Eros. Elle will lead us in making mandalas to feed the story, ourselves, and each other, and then we will feed you with a home-cooked meal!

You must register for this event in order to receive location as it’s on private property. Once you’ve signed up, we’ll send you the address. Here’s the link:

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Image by Elle Luna

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Kō aloha lā ea

Concentrate on love by way of the light