Every time I finish a blogpost I wonder when I will run out
of ideas or begin to repeat myself. But then usually something happens in my
life and the next story is born. Paper doesn't blush nor does the digital word, readers have been merciful and six years went by in no time.
"There should be a progression with anything one has been doing for a long time," my partner reminded me the other day.
Should I not think about what's coming next on Mountain Phoenix Over Tibet? - Just when I was starting to get comfortable…
If I were free I would pack my bags and withdraw to a quiet
corner in Tibet. Simplify my life. Do what I really want. But I'm required to
stick around for a while and so I put forward a compromise proposal on how I
could demonstrate progression without overburdening myself in the medium run:
“Starting with the seventh year itch, Mountain Phoenix Over Tibet will come up with book reviews every now and then," I decided after some reflection.
It is an opportunistic proposition. Since I occasionally
read a book anyway, the calculation is to get more out of my readings when I know
I have to come up with a halfway decent review afterwards. Like most people
I have to take care of a couple of other things as well and so it’s only possible
by trying to merge tasks and pinch off ten minutes here and there.
The quality may suffer with this time-pressed approach but
for the moment there is no alternative. Maybe it also complements my
personality. If I can’t say it in simple terms and within a short time, I lose
interest. “Doing research” bores me. Whatever it is I want to express must come straight from the heart.
Many people write reviews faster and better. My value proposition
is that the book reviews on Mountain Phoenix Over Tibet will bear reference to issues
faced by someone who tries to do the splits, between daily life in the West and
maintaining an organic link to all things Tibetan; searching for practical ways
to embrace my roots while striving to learn the most from my environment. A lot
of things happen in the process, some of which are perhaps worthwhile sharing
with others.
As with my blogposts my book reviews are therefore prone to
focus on finding good answers that allow me to carry on in a pragmatic and
ethical spirit – with the pious hope at the back of my head that readers in a
similar situation may draw some benefit for themselves.
The idea to do book reviews as a sign of progression was
graciously accepted and so it looks like I have my first new year's resolution
for 2014: Write a couple of reviews.
Wishing everyone a good start into the New Year!
Mountain Phoenix Over Tibet
