In lieu of trying to belong to any number of societies: Chesterton, Sherlock Holmes, the Inklings, and so on: I propose and establish one of my own. Don your intelligence cap at the door; dust off your logic and imagination; did you bring your inspiration and encouragement? We are shapers, my friends; lit lamps; light-bringers. Bring quotes; poetry should be uplifting and thoughtful, or witty and clever, (or both). Humor is encouraged; laughter is invited back. Pull up a chair. Anyone for tea?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Strong Women of Doctor Who

For my next installment in A Series of Remarkable Characters I'm going to be talking about Amelia Pond and Clara Oswald, my personal favorite women of Doctor Who.

And yes, before we go any further,
Not big ones though

So here's a topsy-turvy list of things to learn from the Impossible Girl, and the Girl Who Waited.

1. Never underestimate the importance of a great outfit.
Related imageImage result for clara outfits
These girls have style. Personally, Clara's outfits are some of my favorites, but Amy too knows how to dress with some serious flair "for Rio!" and they both have a strong jacket game.* Along with the Doctor and his bowties and jackets (and fez) they save the world with significant sartorial panache, and you'd better believe that this has something to do with our #2

2. Be fabulous, and believe it.

One thing that I love about Amy and Clara is that they are impressed by the magnificent, filled with wonder at the incredible, but it doesn't make them back down. It doesn't make them doubt their own brilliance. They are quick to see the amazing in others, and are willing to go toe-to-toe with the clever and the terrible, and match their wits with anyone because, as the fellow says, 
"If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"

3. Use whatever you've got at your disposal

Whether it's Amy pausing the tape in Flesh and Stone, or Clara getting Rigsy to save the world with spray-paint, these women know how to take what they've got and make it do. Which makes them brilliant companions of course, because this is the Doctor's whole MO. Don't give up, don't walk away, preserve and protect, whatever the stakes.

4. You don't need a reason to be you
Image result for clara oswald does there have to be a reason?

5. You definitely don't need an excuse to be funny (or full of sass)

Image result for amy pond im easily worth two menRelated image


6. Don't be afraid to be the boss

Sometimes you're the one who knows what needs to happen. Go with it. Sometimes you're the only one keeping a level head. Own it. Along with this goes: it's okay to be intimidating as long as the people you care about know you are there for them no matter what.

7. Be the carers. 

Care, when nobody else will. Stay, when everyone runs away. Spread hope everywhere you go. Ask people if they're alright. Choose to still feel it, even when it hurts. Caring will lead you into a host of adventures, and helps keeps you on the right track in the throes of life.

8. Create family

Some family you're born with, some family you fall in love with (and marry), and some come into your life in entirely unexpected ways. But we can absolutely choose family. Hold onto the dear people in your life. Stick by them no matter what. Let them know when they're being ridiculous. Protect them from themselves sometimes. And if they stick around, be their family forever.
Related image
These two are my favorite examples of this {{so much love}}

9. Be brave. Be confident. Be optimistic. Be kind.

These are generally implied in the others we looked at, but are worth spelling out on their own. It is wonderful when we are protected and safe and with those we love: but this is not always the case. And when it is not, what we can be is "very, very brave"
"Don’t follow me under any circumstances." Vincent and The Doctor.  i loved this episode. it made me cry actually


10. "Don't give up

Not ever. Not for one single day. Be safe, when you can be. But always be amazing."

I think this is my favorite Who quote, however many other brilliant ones there are...

What's yours?

                       

*I have taken some serious style pointers from the women of Doctor Who over the years. I get my hoop earrings from Rose, and I had a serious mini-skirt-and-leggings phase inspired by Amy. Clara inspires my heeled boots and dress game. And I take my jacket collection very seriously.

November


"We never cease to be creatures; we never become God. However, the great promise, if Jesus' prayer is fulfilled, is that we will approach such a union of knowledge, love, and joy for all eternity, with ever-increasing speed. We finite beings are chasing the infinite, and therefore we'll never catch it (him!). But the increase of our knowledge of God and love for God and joy in God will continue, world without end, amen." --Joe Rigney, The Things of Earth

This was my view this morning as I read these words from a chapter expounding on the teaching and prayers of Jesus in John 13-17, as it related to the trinity, the glorification of God, and our 'becoming partakers of the divine nature' both in this world, and in the one to come. What glory!
In particular, that sentence about chasing the infinite conjured an immediate picture in my head, full of nostalgic and sensory meaning. The clouds outside the window and the uncertain gusty breezes came together with it, full of the joy, adventure, and mystery of a child chasing a kite.
It was an awakening of joy, a reminder of the very aliveness of this life, this journey. The Hope of Glory. It was a kind of reestablishment of the meaning of the running we do here on earth, and the worth of the glory that is to come: the home that we long for: that endless learning and being known: the mystery gradually and continually illuminated: the overwhelming love that not only washes over us, but that we are actively invited into, partakers in; sharing and learning and enveloped in the relationship of the triune God...

Needless to say, I am looking forward to more quiet moments appreciating the autumn here on my visit in Maryland, and to further chapters in that book!

I'm soaking it in. It's an especial blessing to get this extra glimpse of autumn here on the east coast, as Minnesota pretty nearly skipped it this year. This season is always one I particularly look forward to, as the quality of light and air seems to heighten my awareness of glory, of the unseen; of beauty, magic, and poetry.

Here's to another shower of autumn leaves, to new breaths of rich air. To a little poetry and pen, and many a walk and a bike-ride while I'm here.

Because, you know what will happen when I get home right? As soon as I've unpacked, and straightened my apartment, and gone back to work, that is...
I'll be moving right into the Winter season, folks! Embracing it with open arms. Fair warning!
Things are going to go full-on Hygge around here.