I'm so sorry about the loss of your dear Pippa. It's just so hard to lose them.
Your message is so encouraging, and I really need that today. Thank you. You brought this Rilke quote to mind: "Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final."
I’ve saved this to reread and ponder, and I also sent the link to a friend in the DC area hoping she will be in town for your upcoming book signing. I’m working on a post right now to my 4 year old grandson about our current world that, yes, is a freaking mess but also SO beautiful, definitely worth protecting! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and hope with the world. 🙏
Thank you, Diana. I look forward to reading your upcoming post. How important and challenging to speak about this balance to future generations. Best to you.
Welcome home, Leah. Your wise words were such a comfort to me this morning after I read all the news of war, destruction, starvation, etc. If we don't see the beauty and good around us - and it is there - we could go mad.
This was the perfect antidote for all the grim news I’ve just been reading this morning. I ❤️ that you’re hearing directly from readers that your words are a balm.
Leah, I'm full of sorrow for the passing of your Pippa. Thank you for sharing her picture and I hope the next bit of time will bring solace in the form of bright memories. (I'd like to add, though, that I'm certain that her love was not "undeserved" [is any true love undeserved?], that you were as much of a gift to her as she was to you.)
But, grief and praise--isn't that always the way of it? I believe that once we can feel the deep truth of that as a basic principle that comes from being alive, something changes, and you clearly, through your writings, have been aware of that lesson for some time now. I was intrigued even by the way you phrased your title: "The World is a Freaking Mess; AND I am awash in gifts." It's the "And" that struck me as exactly what you were saying, and sounds like the acceptance of things (creative and destructive, and all the other "seeming" opposites) that makes it possible to "allow" our hearts to break open to embrace it all, although that's a very challenging path, one I stumble off of many times!
When you say, "Sometimes I think my writing precedes my understanding," have you ever wondered if "something" else is writing through you? I tend to feel that frequently, and consider it another gift, first, that "something" has picked me at a given time and place to say whatever it is; and second, that because of that, I'm learning something at greater depth, that I may now actually have a better understanding than before. Now if that "something" would just consider not loading me up so often, especially with seemingly contradictory understandings, I'd have a little more time to catch my breath! 😉
Thanks for posting in the midst of your loss. Take good care.
I'm so sorry about the loss of your dear Pippa. It's just so hard to lose them.
Your message is so encouraging, and I really need that today. Thank you. You brought this Rilke quote to mind: "Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final."
Thank you, Wil. And Rilke always seems to have the right words, doesn’t he? Take care!
I’ve saved this to reread and ponder, and I also sent the link to a friend in the DC area hoping she will be in town for your upcoming book signing. I’m working on a post right now to my 4 year old grandson about our current world that, yes, is a freaking mess but also SO beautiful, definitely worth protecting! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and hope with the world. 🙏
Thank you, Diana. I look forward to reading your upcoming post. How important and challenging to speak about this balance to future generations. Best to you.
Along world news' mess,
friends’, family’s, sweet dogs’ love.
Gaia’s gifts, good books!
You are such a gift.
Welcome home, Leah. Your wise words were such a comfort to me this morning after I read all the news of war, destruction, starvation, etc. If we don't see the beauty and good around us - and it is there - we could go mad.
Thank you, Maureen. I agree, we could go mad - or numb. And that is what those "in power" hope for. Seeing the beauty can be a subversive act.
This was the perfect antidote for all the grim news I’ve just been reading this morning. I ❤️ that you’re hearing directly from readers that your words are a balm.
Thank you, Julie. And you're right; it's such a joy to hear from readers. It makes it all worthwhile.
Leah, I'm full of sorrow for the passing of your Pippa. Thank you for sharing her picture and I hope the next bit of time will bring solace in the form of bright memories. (I'd like to add, though, that I'm certain that her love was not "undeserved" [is any true love undeserved?], that you were as much of a gift to her as she was to you.)
But, grief and praise--isn't that always the way of it? I believe that once we can feel the deep truth of that as a basic principle that comes from being alive, something changes, and you clearly, through your writings, have been aware of that lesson for some time now. I was intrigued even by the way you phrased your title: "The World is a Freaking Mess; AND I am awash in gifts." It's the "And" that struck me as exactly what you were saying, and sounds like the acceptance of things (creative and destructive, and all the other "seeming" opposites) that makes it possible to "allow" our hearts to break open to embrace it all, although that's a very challenging path, one I stumble off of many times!
When you say, "Sometimes I think my writing precedes my understanding," have you ever wondered if "something" else is writing through you? I tend to feel that frequently, and consider it another gift, first, that "something" has picked me at a given time and place to say whatever it is; and second, that because of that, I'm learning something at greater depth, that I may now actually have a better understanding than before. Now if that "something" would just consider not loading me up so often, especially with seemingly contradictory understandings, I'd have a little more time to catch my breath! 😉
Thanks for posting in the midst of your loss. Take good care.