Once again your words and prompts take me within. Thank you!
What version of me from the past, saves me (or inspires me to keep going / reminds me of why I took that chance?
I whisper these questions in a soft voice my heart can hear.
A flood of memories emerge, not of an age or time, yet of feelings.
Playing in dirt, the taste of melting toffee on my tongue, riding a bike, the sound of my cat purring his head beside me as I sleep, alone in a big city, driving by myself for the first time.
I recognize as I write the feelings of excitement/nervousness, I have often felt while alone. And I have kept going, kept playing, kept riding despite the voices around me saying stop, be careful, creating worry in my head. My body has always known. I can do it, in my own way, I can take the chance. I have a lifetime of feelings to remind me I can.
Thank you for the reminder and the acknowledgment to this life time of feelings.
I love these reflections, Linda! I feel so connected to the theme of 'doing it anyway' - that quiet yet fierce will inside you that wills you forward. We are of the same feather :) Thank you for taking the time to respond in such a generously hearted way. Love Sez
This one felt especially important, in a life stage where things are shifting and remembering who I am amidst all that.
I also have so many “snapshot” memories - and initially the ones that popped up were the ones that were tied to what others needed me to be..the version of me that achieved and pleased—and helped—in order to survive.
But then I start to remember moments.. of pure presence that required nothing of me. All the stages of “being” myself with sweet, young humans and adorable animals. Being the go-to lap for our family dogs, the babysitter for our whole neighborhood. Mothering my own kids (especially when they were young), and a career of supporting and advocating for children. A safe place, an easy, comfortable, open place for the vulnerable—to be vulnerable. That’s still who I am.. and why I’m here.
Making yourself useful and being needed are two such different ways of being in the world, Natalie. You seem to have found yourself following your heart's path with the latter. Being that space others come to is such a gift tot he world, one you no doubt need to take care of yourself in order to offer to others. Through your words, I reflect on my own life - and find that my wound and my gift overlap. The need to disappear in order to survive and the love of losing myself in my writing could perhaps share the same soil. I think that's why they say that 'our greatest gifts often come from our darkest places'. Thanks for taking the time to respond, Love Sez
100% truth. I was forced into being present and supportive before I had a choice, so I’ve spent my adult life waking up to where I’m grounded in my Self, and to pause when I sense I’m “tapping out.”
Your writing, the magic of what you create while in retreat, is such a connecting point for others…. Currently reading Story Medicine, love it❤️. And you’ve also created this haven where we can freely express and be ourselves! 🙏🏻
Once again your words and prompts take me within. Thank you!
What version of me from the past, saves me (or inspires me to keep going / reminds me of why I took that chance?
I whisper these questions in a soft voice my heart can hear.
A flood of memories emerge, not of an age or time, yet of feelings.
Playing in dirt, the taste of melting toffee on my tongue, riding a bike, the sound of my cat purring his head beside me as I sleep, alone in a big city, driving by myself for the first time.
I recognize as I write the feelings of excitement/nervousness, I have often felt while alone. And I have kept going, kept playing, kept riding despite the voices around me saying stop, be careful, creating worry in my head. My body has always known. I can do it, in my own way, I can take the chance. I have a lifetime of feelings to remind me I can.
Thank you for the reminder and the acknowledgment to this life time of feelings.
I am grateful.
I love these reflections, Linda! I feel so connected to the theme of 'doing it anyway' - that quiet yet fierce will inside you that wills you forward. We are of the same feather :) Thank you for taking the time to respond in such a generously hearted way. Love Sez
This one felt especially important, in a life stage where things are shifting and remembering who I am amidst all that.
I also have so many “snapshot” memories - and initially the ones that popped up were the ones that were tied to what others needed me to be..the version of me that achieved and pleased—and helped—in order to survive.
But then I start to remember moments.. of pure presence that required nothing of me. All the stages of “being” myself with sweet, young humans and adorable animals. Being the go-to lap for our family dogs, the babysitter for our whole neighborhood. Mothering my own kids (especially when they were young), and a career of supporting and advocating for children. A safe place, an easy, comfortable, open place for the vulnerable—to be vulnerable. That’s still who I am.. and why I’m here.
Making yourself useful and being needed are two such different ways of being in the world, Natalie. You seem to have found yourself following your heart's path with the latter. Being that space others come to is such a gift tot he world, one you no doubt need to take care of yourself in order to offer to others. Through your words, I reflect on my own life - and find that my wound and my gift overlap. The need to disappear in order to survive and the love of losing myself in my writing could perhaps share the same soil. I think that's why they say that 'our greatest gifts often come from our darkest places'. Thanks for taking the time to respond, Love Sez
100% truth. I was forced into being present and supportive before I had a choice, so I’ve spent my adult life waking up to where I’m grounded in my Self, and to pause when I sense I’m “tapping out.”
Your writing, the magic of what you create while in retreat, is such a connecting point for others…. Currently reading Story Medicine, love it❤️. And you’ve also created this haven where we can freely express and be ourselves! 🙏🏻