Congratulations on reaching your first 100 subscribers. Lots of people struggle to find your purpose, so you are a step ahead. As you say in your article, you just need to know what to do with it...and find the right direction to move forward. Good luck on that journey and with your writing.
Thanks!! I feel so grateful in a thousand ways for what has unfolded over the last 4 months... If you're open to it, I'd love to hear more about you too! Do you feel you've found your purpose? Or at least something that motivates you to become the best version of yourself?
Thank you so much for the shout-out, Sue. It's nice to know my readers know a good thing when they see it! Thank you, too, for this beautiful thing, your TL. When I was 22, my Papa died. My grandfather was my world, my light, a rare source of unconditional love. I could never imagine my life without him. But, as he was dying, I decided to be strong for him, as he had for me, be present and put him first (as he always did for me). That experience was transformative, beautiful even. We talk about the wonder of birth, but being present for death is also something of a miracle. The difference, I think, is the perception of gain and loss (we can have a philosophical debate on that one all day...bring wine or, better yet, a fine Irish whiskey). I stand with you in your mission. We need to talk about death, lose our fear of it, learn a language for it, and not be angry at it (so hard). That will enrich our lives. Thank you for lighting the way on this path. xo
Wow, Sandra, thank you for sharing!! "We talk about the wonder of birth, but being present for death is also something of a miracle. The difference, I think, is the perception of gain and loss." So much wisdom here! And thank you for joining us on this mission to change the conversation.
I'm curious, is there a specific, tangible way you can point out for us as an example of how this reorientation to loss has changed your life?
Oof, that's a deep Q, Sue! Thank you for asking and making me think! In regards to the death of my grandfather -- which I feared forever -- it was being fully present, wanting to be able to comfort him as he always did for me, that was the miracle. I've never "missed" him. I didn't feel a hole in my life when he passed. I mean, I absolutely wish he was still here, but he has never left me. I say, "Hi, Papa," when I see someone, or someone doing something, that reminds me of him. It brings on the warmest inside smile. I've always been an expressive sort, but I make a point of leaving nothing unsaid. The people in my life know I love them, how much I enjoy their successes, how valued they are. My missives are all end with "xo", each and every annoying one, because I want the affection felt to be noted. Loss is a part of life, and the whole point of it is to make us appreciate the now, right now. Life is fleeting and it's not always pleasant. Life isn't fair, and it isn't long enough. But it's our job to enjoy it as deeply as we can when we can, and be present, even when it's awful. It makes the awful less so, and lets us learn. xo
Ug, Sandra, you just filled my heart. Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes! I'm so so glad to know that you're out there, weaving this wisdom into your substack, your relationships, your work. And thanks for reminding me of what's important too. Because even I get caught up in "the grind" and forget to appreciate what's right in front of me. Thank you so much!!
Mar 11, 2023·edited Mar 11, 2023Liked by Leona Waller, Sue Deagle
CONGRATULATIONS on crossing the one hundred subscriber mark!!! Doing a happy dance for you, Sue and Leona! Here's to thousands more! And thank you for the shout-out, too. I appreciate it and am happy to know that my recommending your work has helped draw readers in to this beautiful conversation. :)
I have yet to read this piece in its entirety, because I save long reads for when I have the time and headspace to dive fully in and absorb what's being shared (which is not now). So another comment on this post (and a reply to your comment on your last post) will be on their way later this weekend.
But, I did read the very beginning and just want to offer that, as far as I can tell, just because you don't know what you're doing or where you're going, doesn't mean there isn't a path. You're creating it and walking it in real time, doing what it occurs to you to do in each moment and following the breadcrumbs of inspiration as they appear. And, at least to me, you seem to be getting pretty far! More to come! xoxo
Thanks for that perspective Kerri! It's so true, we're making this up as we go along. And secretly having a blast while doing it. Turns out doing hard things can actually be super fulfilling. Who knew ;)
Congratulations on reaching your first 100 subscribers. Lots of people struggle to find your purpose, so you are a step ahead. As you say in your article, you just need to know what to do with it...and find the right direction to move forward. Good luck on that journey and with your writing.
Thanks!! I feel so grateful in a thousand ways for what has unfolded over the last 4 months... If you're open to it, I'd love to hear more about you too! Do you feel you've found your purpose? Or at least something that motivates you to become the best version of yourself?
Thank you so much for the shout-out, Sue. It's nice to know my readers know a good thing when they see it! Thank you, too, for this beautiful thing, your TL. When I was 22, my Papa died. My grandfather was my world, my light, a rare source of unconditional love. I could never imagine my life without him. But, as he was dying, I decided to be strong for him, as he had for me, be present and put him first (as he always did for me). That experience was transformative, beautiful even. We talk about the wonder of birth, but being present for death is also something of a miracle. The difference, I think, is the perception of gain and loss (we can have a philosophical debate on that one all day...bring wine or, better yet, a fine Irish whiskey). I stand with you in your mission. We need to talk about death, lose our fear of it, learn a language for it, and not be angry at it (so hard). That will enrich our lives. Thank you for lighting the way on this path. xo
Wow, Sandra, thank you for sharing!! "We talk about the wonder of birth, but being present for death is also something of a miracle. The difference, I think, is the perception of gain and loss." So much wisdom here! And thank you for joining us on this mission to change the conversation.
I'm curious, is there a specific, tangible way you can point out for us as an example of how this reorientation to loss has changed your life?
Oof, that's a deep Q, Sue! Thank you for asking and making me think! In regards to the death of my grandfather -- which I feared forever -- it was being fully present, wanting to be able to comfort him as he always did for me, that was the miracle. I've never "missed" him. I didn't feel a hole in my life when he passed. I mean, I absolutely wish he was still here, but he has never left me. I say, "Hi, Papa," when I see someone, or someone doing something, that reminds me of him. It brings on the warmest inside smile. I've always been an expressive sort, but I make a point of leaving nothing unsaid. The people in my life know I love them, how much I enjoy their successes, how valued they are. My missives are all end with "xo", each and every annoying one, because I want the affection felt to be noted. Loss is a part of life, and the whole point of it is to make us appreciate the now, right now. Life is fleeting and it's not always pleasant. Life isn't fair, and it isn't long enough. But it's our job to enjoy it as deeply as we can when we can, and be present, even when it's awful. It makes the awful less so, and lets us learn. xo
Ug, Sandra, you just filled my heart. Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes! I'm so so glad to know that you're out there, weaving this wisdom into your substack, your relationships, your work. And thanks for reminding me of what's important too. Because even I get caught up in "the grind" and forget to appreciate what's right in front of me. Thank you so much!!
Right back at you, Sue. Thank you! xo
CONGRATULATIONS on crossing the one hundred subscriber mark!!! Doing a happy dance for you, Sue and Leona! Here's to thousands more! And thank you for the shout-out, too. I appreciate it and am happy to know that my recommending your work has helped draw readers in to this beautiful conversation. :)
I have yet to read this piece in its entirety, because I save long reads for when I have the time and headspace to dive fully in and absorb what's being shared (which is not now). So another comment on this post (and a reply to your comment on your last post) will be on their way later this weekend.
But, I did read the very beginning and just want to offer that, as far as I can tell, just because you don't know what you're doing or where you're going, doesn't mean there isn't a path. You're creating it and walking it in real time, doing what it occurs to you to do in each moment and following the breadcrumbs of inspiration as they appear. And, at least to me, you seem to be getting pretty far! More to come! xoxo
Thanks for that perspective Kerri! It's so true, we're making this up as we go along. And secretly having a blast while doing it. Turns out doing hard things can actually be super fulfilling. Who knew ;)