Present Tense with Corinne Cunningham

Almost a year ago I drove over an hour to have lunch with two new blog-friends.  Jo from Mylestones and Corinne from Trains, Tutus, and Teatime.  Over flatbread we chatted and chatted and barely had time to take a breath.  The time flew by.  And then, over the summer, I got to spend lots more time with Corinne when we took the train to and from BlogHer.  We’ve had a couple of visits since then, notably to hear Gail Caldwell read from Let’s Take the Long Way Home.  It’s never enough though, and I am particularly hoping to meet Corinne’s delicious Fynn and Page, who feature prominently in her blog.

Corinne’s blog is a beautiful series of meditations on real, ordinary life.  She writes about her everyday experiences with her children, about her sobriety journey, and about her nascent but vital spirituality.  She and I have in common a passionate attachment to the ocean and the beach, and I particularly adore her posts about her visits there.  Corinne shares her beautiful photography, too, and I am often as refreshed and inspired by her images as I am by her words.  I urge you to click over to Trains, Tutus, and Teatime and to spend some time immersed in Corinne’s world.  I am certain that I am better for this immersion; there is something about Corinne, both in person and on the page, that makes me calmer, more patient, more open to my own humanity.

And more good news!  Corinne’s creativity has a new outlet.  She has thrown herself wholeheartedly into knitting, and I’m thrilled to point you to her brand-new etsy shop, A Soft Landing, here.  I am the proud owner of a pair of Corinne’s handwarmers, and I tell you I can feel the love that went into the knitting of them every time I pull them on.

In the meantime, I’m honored to host Corinne here today for Present Tense.  I know that the effort to remain open to her own life is important to Corinne, as she and I have talked about it.  I was delighted when she agreed to answer my questions.  So here is Corinne, with her trademark wisdom, humility, and flat-out wonderfulness.

1. When have you felt most present?  Are there specific memories that stand out for you?My wedding. I remember almost every moment of that day vividly. The other moments that stand out are days with my husband and kids. We take adventures now and then, trips to the beach or hikes, and being in nature with the kids and Lucas… it’s just incredible. When the sounds are the wind or ocean and birds and your children giggling and your  husband laughing and talking about life… it doesn’t get any better, and there’s no reason for the mind to drift away.

2. Do you have rituals or patterns that you use to remind you to Be Here Now?

When I feel hurried and like my mind is getting too far ahead of my body, I find a quiet space and tell myself to take deep breaths {which is the same thing I tell my kids when I see their minds spinning out, or their actions getting on the crazy side} and then I sit with my breath and reflect on why I’m spiraling. Those few moments of quiet bring me back to the moment at hand.

3. Do you have specific places or people that you associate with being particularly present?  Who?  Where?  Any idea why?

The beach. Any and all beaches. It’s my place, where I feel most at home and alive and calm all at the same time. It’s the place that I long for, and when I’m there, it’s just me and the sounds and smells. As far as people, my kids. Always. They remind me to be here. There isn’t any other place I need to be. So combine a day at the beach, with my children, and I’m completely, fully, present.

4. Have you ever meditated?  How did that go?

I’ve tried many a times to meditate. I also have the monkey mind… and it’s so very hard to keep it from wandering. Recently I’ve found that knitting is a sort of meditation for me. I have to focus only on my hands and it keeps me very aware. I can concentrate on the task at hand, but also my breath and it’s calming and helps to clear my mind.

5. Has having children changed how you think about the effort to be present?

Absolutely.  There was a time years ago, probably in high school, that I was keenly aware of being present and living authentically and focused on my dreams and hopes {which I think are all combined somehow} But then I went off to college and my drinking began to get the better of me. It took having my children to realize the areas that I needed help in. It took having
my children to realize my drinking problem, to then get sober and focus on being here with them. With me. With my husband. With whatever is right in front of me. I have my children to thank for bringing me back to that place where I can focus on what rally matters. Being here.

6. And just cause I’m curious, what books and songs do you love?

There are far too many books to list! The ones that come to mind at first are Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection, anything and everything by Anne Lamott, and for some reason Raymond Carver’s short stories are always a favorite. I just skimmed my bookshelf, and though they’re childhood loves, I still adore the Anne of Green Gables series and JulieEdward’s Mandy.

Songs…The Weepies are a favorite right now. Their songs Stars and Gotta have you play often around here. Jame’s Taylors Secret of Life, and Carolina in my Mind. Jack Johnson is another one that I love love love, and Jason Mraz. The Avett Brothers and their I and Love and You album. Roll Away Your Stone, by Mumford and Sons. And anything by Ingrid Michaelson… I
just adore her.

10 thoughts on “Present Tense with Corinne Cunningham”

  2. How wonderful to find you both here today. The best way to start my day.

    I too love Corinne’s words, and always feel so peaceful when I stop by her blog. It truly washes over me. That’s a gift Corinne. I also enjoy thinking of you knitting, what a lovely image it evokes.

    Thank you for sharing her with us, here in your space Lindsey.

  5. Hi Corinne! So good to see you over at Lindsey’s place! Always a pleasure to see your pretty face and read your thoughts.

    I have monkey mind, too. I’ve tried to meditate many times and I just fail. Maybe I should take up knitting?

    Congrats on your new ETSY shop! I’m hoping to make it over there today. So proud of you.

  10. Hi Corrine! So heart-warming to see your face here. And find your words. I agree with Lindsey…I often feel a sense of calm and wonder after reading your words. xo

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