Monthly Archives: June 2018

Jacob’s ladder 04/05/14

Jacob's Ladder, Thursday posts

Prayer for myself often takes the form of imagining myself climbing up a ladder out of a pit, the pit being my current circumstances of poverty and homelessness. Getting out at the top represents a return to the normal life of the American mainstream. I didn’t start with a ladder in there, but I decided to add one to symbolize the various structures and tools that others have made available to me — and eliminate the possibility of clawing at loose earth.

Here begins a list of “rungs” on the ladder that I’ve become aware I need to “overcome.” Each one takes effort, exertion, to get over. I will update this list from time to time as I learn of others.

(Originally posted 04/05/14.  Reblogged 10/20/16.)

1. Fear of the unknown. See From my diary: Learning to pray.
2. Jealousy of others who seem to be prospering more quickly than I am. Details here.
3. Times of despair. I guess, from time to time, they’ll happen. Details here.
4. Incidents of utter selfishness. Details here.
5. Moments of unusual hardship and sacrifice. Details here.
6. Cut loose the losers. Details here.
7. Smoking. See posts tagged “Smoking”.
8. Shame. See “(3) Baby steps.”
9. Attributions of arrogance, selfishness and greed. Details here.
10. Others’ well-intentioned but misguided prayers. Details here.

Popping corn in a saucepan or skillet

Homelessness,

“Every thought is a prayer.”  To the end of making good use of the four hours or so every day we’re compelled to be idle at the shelter; and of speeding the day when I’ll find my own place; I’ve taken to daydreaming intentionally about things I’d like to do in my own place.  Some of those, I mean to share here, as doing so involves giving more time to those dreams.  Many involve cooking foods I like that we never get at the shelter.  Related: “What a homeless man dreams of.“

(Note, March 28, 2018:  By the time this post appears, I sure hope I have my own place.)

You don’t need a corn popper to pop corn.  You can use a saucepan or skillet.

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