My friend Elizabeth is going through a break-up (of sorts). Reminds me of my brush with heartache earlier this year.

"Pencil Stick" - Clogs 

During the worst of it, a friend gave me a copy of the book When Things Fall Apart, by Pema Chodron. I loved every page, every morsel of wisdom, and devoured it nightly before I would fall asleep (which was often quite difficult). Chodron offers so much solace to the lost and broken-hearted.

Cool loneliness allows us to look honesty and without aggression at our own minds. We can gradually drop our ideals of who we think we ought to be, or who we think we want to be, or who we think other people think we want to be or ought to be. We give it up and just look directly with compassion and humor at who we are. Then loneliness is no threat and heartache, no punishment. 

"Homebird" - Foy Vance 

Tonight, I'm giving this book to Elizabeth (along with a mix CD and a bottle of red wine). Think of it as the Eggs for Becky break-up kit.

Is it just me, or are the twenties riddled with some pretty tough experiences? For many of us, it's the first time we experience the death of someone close, the break-up of our first significant relationship. I suppose it's not all doom and gloom, though. Afterall, there are happier first-time experiences, like traveling to distant lands, home-ownership, marriage and childbirth.

"Dressed Up for the Letdown" - Richard Swift 

I need to pack up and head to break-up headquarters.  Hope you enjoy the tunes. Check out the Clogs site for tour info. And here's another great Swift track: