This was very touching and timely for me as I'm dealing with a tough situation. I needed the moment. I took some advice and went outside to lay on the grass next to my faithful tree, turned my phone off and told him about how grateful I am for the grace given to battle this mountain, and the pure joy and relief I'll feel after overcoming this situation. I came inside. Read it again and cried while journaling my feelings. I'm thankful for the released toxins. I always visualize my cells spitting out these toxins like an army kicking out the bad guys. It works! (I heard cancer doctors teach their patients to do that!) The shower is a good place to do it, and see the toxins run down the drain. Obviously, it touched me deeply with the poetry, practical steps, and a good heart paying it forward! Thank you for your kindness! ♥️🙏🌹🐛🦋
Thank you, Stacie. I string words together into sentences from my heart as well as my head and try to touch people where they are in what concerns them most. Life as I have come to know it and live it fully has immense possibilities, and choices. i am honored and humbled by your kind and generous response.
Hello, Gary! I have read this post a couple of times. It’s one of my favorites (on Substack). And I actually thought that I commented how much I loved your reply to Stacie! It’s wonderful!
On another note, thank you for the kind email that you sent me a couple of weeks ago. It turns out as I cleaned up “an Inbox of a massive amount of emails,” I inadvertently deleted yours. I am going to reply based “on my memory” of that kind email that came my way.
Thanks, again for your “poetic post” here, along with this succinct reply here.
Boon, blessings on your too, my friend. Happy to see you here and share what we can to help each other keep on keeping on. Look for my new post coming out tomorrow, “Extending Creativity.” Welcome your comments anytime you have time.
In 2019 a very dear friend and I were debating politics in a phone call. It was mutually very respectful and loving, and I'm so glad it was, because she died very suddenly in her sleep a few weeks later. Our last conversations during that week prior were loving, supportive, and not full of politics or talk of Covid. When she died, all I could think of was how unimportant those politics were to her now. Politics are important of course. I myself have adult children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who will suffer if we lose our democracy. But there's a balance. As a follower of Jesus, I do believe that "this" is not our home. But I also believe we are stewarded to take care of it while we are here. We can't do that if we are wringing our hands and too stressed to even think. Your suggestions are wonderful. Thank you.
Yes, John O'Donohue who relied heavily on 14th century mystic and theologian, Meister Eckhart. O'Donohue refers to Eckhart elsewhere in relation to this Blessing. "I think biography unfolds identity and makes it visible and puts the mirror of it out there, but I think identity is a more complex thing. And what I love in this regard is my old friend Meister Eckhart, the 14th-century German mystic, who said, 'There is a place in the soul that neither time nor space nor no created thing can touch.' And I really thought that was amazing. And if you cash it out, what it means is that your identity is not equivalent to your biography, and that there is a place in you where you have never been wounded, where there is still a sureness in you, where there’s a seamlessness in you, and where there is a confidence and tranquility in you. And I think the intention of prayer and spirituality and love is, now and again, to visit that inner kind of sanctuary.",
That interview with Krista Tippett is EXCEPTIONAL! I’ve listened to the extended, unedited version a number of times. Just the way the words roll off of O’Donohue’s tongue is mesmerizing. I think O’Donohue did his PhD on Eckhart whom, like you, I love and admire as well. Our connections run deep!
It is possible to see and understand the connections we have with mentors and heroes, those who have inspired us tor reach higher or deeper. That gives us a way to express what we have found to be the center or our being. Being itself takes on new meaning every day as we become more of who we are. Or who we would like to become. I think in my next life I might like to be a monk/farmer.
There was a time when I considered the possibility. One place is a monastery in Disentis, Switzerland. https://www.disentis-sedrun.ch/en/discover/points-interest/monastery There was a fabulous farm as part of the operation. It has changed a lot since I visited there more than 40 years ago. Another, also Benedictine, is in the United States.
Thanks, Diana. Grateful for your response as it’s an indication of speaking to and from “heart and soul.” I string words together into sentences and try to touch people where they are. Life as I have come to know it and live it fully has immense possibilities, and choices. More on that, later, my friend.
David, your short reply to Diana touched my soul ALMOST as much as your inspirational post! 😀 I, too, attempt to move others with my words. Tapping my fingers on the keyboard, also, is extremely therapeutic. May you continue to bring tranquility, joy and hope with your powerful words. Thanks, again, for your latest message…
Thanks, David. Those resources are easily accessible to anyone who might need a little extra support. As I said to another reader, I string words together into sentences and try to touch people where they are. Life as I have come to know it and live it fully has immense possibilities, and choices.
Thank you, Gary, for your very wise post as I embark on my week. Your point on self-care and making time for it is spot on. However, if one feels that self-care is not enough, remember to ask for help and support.
This was very touching and timely for me as I'm dealing with a tough situation. I needed the moment. I took some advice and went outside to lay on the grass next to my faithful tree, turned my phone off and told him about how grateful I am for the grace given to battle this mountain, and the pure joy and relief I'll feel after overcoming this situation. I came inside. Read it again and cried while journaling my feelings. I'm thankful for the released toxins. I always visualize my cells spitting out these toxins like an army kicking out the bad guys. It works! (I heard cancer doctors teach their patients to do that!) The shower is a good place to do it, and see the toxins run down the drain. Obviously, it touched me deeply with the poetry, practical steps, and a good heart paying it forward! Thank you for your kindness! ♥️🙏🌹🐛🦋
Thank you, Stacie. I string words together into sentences from my heart as well as my head and try to touch people where they are in what concerns them most. Life as I have come to know it and live it fully has immense possibilities, and choices. i am honored and humbled by your kind and generous response.
Hello, Gary! I have read this post a couple of times. It’s one of my favorites (on Substack). And I actually thought that I commented how much I loved your reply to Stacie! It’s wonderful!
On another note, thank you for the kind email that you sent me a couple of weeks ago. It turns out as I cleaned up “an Inbox of a massive amount of emails,” I inadvertently deleted yours. I am going to reply based “on my memory” of that kind email that came my way.
Thanks, again for your “poetic post” here, along with this succinct reply here.
Bless you!!!
Boon, blessings on your too, my friend. Happy to see you here and share what we can to help each other keep on keeping on. Look for my new post coming out tomorrow, “Extending Creativity.” Welcome your comments anytime you have time.
I am very much looking forward to seeing your post tomorrow!
In 2019 a very dear friend and I were debating politics in a phone call. It was mutually very respectful and loving, and I'm so glad it was, because she died very suddenly in her sleep a few weeks later. Our last conversations during that week prior were loving, supportive, and not full of politics or talk of Covid. When she died, all I could think of was how unimportant those politics were to her now. Politics are important of course. I myself have adult children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who will suffer if we lose our democracy. But there's a balance. As a follower of Jesus, I do believe that "this" is not our home. But I also believe we are stewarded to take care of it while we are here. We can't do that if we are wringing our hands and too stressed to even think. Your suggestions are wonderful. Thank you.
Thanks, Linda. A great perspective about what is most important and what's not.....
This, of course, resonates strongly with me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And I think the poem/blessing you quote at the end is from John O’Donohue, right?
Yes, John O'Donohue who relied heavily on 14th century mystic and theologian, Meister Eckhart. O'Donohue refers to Eckhart elsewhere in relation to this Blessing. "I think biography unfolds identity and makes it visible and puts the mirror of it out there, but I think identity is a more complex thing. And what I love in this regard is my old friend Meister Eckhart, the 14th-century German mystic, who said, 'There is a place in the soul that neither time nor space nor no created thing can touch.' And I really thought that was amazing. And if you cash it out, what it means is that your identity is not equivalent to your biography, and that there is a place in you where you have never been wounded, where there is still a sureness in you, where there’s a seamlessness in you, and where there is a confidence and tranquility in you. And I think the intention of prayer and spirituality and love is, now and again, to visit that inner kind of sanctuary.",
Meant to include that the Donohue info is from an interview that was published by On Being and Krista Tippett
The Donohue info is from an interview that was published by On Being and Krista Tippett
That interview with Krista Tippett is EXCEPTIONAL! I’ve listened to the extended, unedited version a number of times. Just the way the words roll off of O’Donohue’s tongue is mesmerizing. I think O’Donohue did his PhD on Eckhart whom, like you, I love and admire as well. Our connections run deep!
It is possible to see and understand the connections we have with mentors and heroes, those who have inspired us tor reach higher or deeper. That gives us a way to express what we have found to be the center or our being. Being itself takes on new meaning every day as we become more of who we are. Or who we would like to become. I think in my next life I might like to be a monk/farmer.
I’ll join you on that farm!
There was a time when I considered the possibility. One place is a monastery in Disentis, Switzerland. https://www.disentis-sedrun.ch/en/discover/points-interest/monastery There was a fabulous farm as part of the operation. It has changed a lot since I visited there more than 40 years ago. Another, also Benedictine, is in the United States.
Your messages are heard and more importantly listened to.🍃
Lovely post - thank you for posting this today! My heart and soul appreciate you.
Thanks, Diana. Grateful for your response as it’s an indication of speaking to and from “heart and soul.” I string words together into sentences and try to touch people where they are. Life as I have come to know it and live it fully has immense possibilities, and choices. More on that, later, my friend.
David, your short reply to Diana touched my soul ALMOST as much as your inspirational post! 😀 I, too, attempt to move others with my words. Tapping my fingers on the keyboard, also, is extremely therapeutic. May you continue to bring tranquility, joy and hope with your powerful words. Thanks, again, for your latest message…
Be well…
Great advice.
Thanks, David. Those resources are easily accessible to anyone who might need a little extra support. As I said to another reader, I string words together into sentences and try to touch people where they are. Life as I have come to know it and live it fully has immense possibilities, and choices.
Thank you for this uplifting and soul filling post Gary, it’s just what I needed!
Just wonderful, Gary!
Thank you, Gary, for your very wise post as I embark on my week. Your point on self-care and making time for it is spot on. However, if one feels that self-care is not enough, remember to ask for help and support.
The more we connect with Nature, the more we find peace and joy.