What a beautiful piece. And an important reminder. I try to live my life in that 2% - can I make today just 2% better, can I be 2% kinder/softer/more patient. All that matters is that you are on the road...
Precious words, Mary. I spend far more time, these days, on reframing. No matter the situation, I can almost always find a way to think of it differently, to positive effect. Even if it doesn't get me measurably closer to where I want to be, it's a start.
This feels hard. But I'm closer now than I was. Just what's needed!
I loved the story about your foster child, learning to tie his shoes and how the analogy applies to writers. Yep, it feels hard sometimes. Luckily, we have wins in another aread that can spark ups back to the new task we're trying hard to accomplish.
I also want to thank you for your crucially important work hosting a foster child. That takes a special kind of person, one that most of us wouldn't even attempt to be. Not only might it be hard, it would be hard knowing he'll leave you waaay before you're ready. Thank you so much for stepping to the fore when children need you. You already have the soul it takes.
This feels true for me today because on Saturday I was at Pride most of the day, feeling like my presence there was not enough, that there was TOO MUCH to do for all the hurting young people (and middle aged people and old people) and there was no way my being there made any difference at all. But it did. It does. I radiated out so much LOVE to these unknown, worn out looking yet triumphant altogether humans. It didn't feel like enough, but it had to be.
What a lucky little guy - you are now intertwined with the sinew of his growing self - the grit he will need often in order to take his next steps. Blessings!!! And your writing ? Well, i teared up - if that's what you're hoping for : ) TY, Mary.
Lovely! Yes, Mary, it IS enough! WE ARE ENOUGH, all of us. We are just not USED to seeing it that way. Success redefined is when we keep doing it, and keep doing it, and so on. You should have seen my early stumbling steps when I started using the computer some 5 years ago. Every step a painful reminder of my ineptitude. Every misstep that caused "strange" things to show up on the screen, triggering a trauma response of increased heartbeats or even panic. Trauma is mostly healed nowadays, but as soon as something goes awry, an echo of those responses are there. I meet them with self-love and, as you can see on Substack, I am still "on the road".
What a beautiful piece. And an important reminder. I try to live my life in that 2% - can I make today just 2% better, can I be 2% kinder/softer/more patient. All that matters is that you are on the road...
Yes! It’s about celebrating small growth.
Precious words, Mary. I spend far more time, these days, on reframing. No matter the situation, I can almost always find a way to think of it differently, to positive effect. Even if it doesn't get me measurably closer to where I want to be, it's a start.
This feels hard. But I'm closer now than I was. Just what's needed!
Same! Thanks so much for reading and sharing Elizabeth!
Oops, Mary.
Sorry my fingers are kind of bratty and don't always mind well. I should've checked and edited before I pressed "send."
Denna Weber
Nah, life is short. Thank you for your kindness!
Mary,
I loved the story about your foster child, learning to tie his shoes and how the analogy applies to writers. Yep, it feels hard sometimes. Luckily, we have wins in another aread that can spark ups back to the new task we're trying hard to accomplish.
I also want to thank you for your crucially important work hosting a foster child. That takes a special kind of person, one that most of us wouldn't even attempt to be. Not only might it be hard, it would be hard knowing he'll leave you waaay before you're ready. Thank you so much for stepping to the fore when children need you. You already have the soul it takes.
Fondly, Denna Weber
Thanks so much Dennis for reading and for your kind words.
"It's enough. It has to be."
This feels true for me today because on Saturday I was at Pride most of the day, feeling like my presence there was not enough, that there was TOO MUCH to do for all the hurting young people (and middle aged people and old people) and there was no way my being there made any difference at all. But it did. It does. I radiated out so much LOVE to these unknown, worn out looking yet triumphant altogether humans. It didn't feel like enough, but it had to be.
Thanks, Mary.
Thank you! I was there on Saturday too! What a lovely celebration and act of resistance.
I love the concept of reframing! Thanks for that reminder.
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Such a great lesson for all of us who try new things and struggle!
I learn it again and again. 🤣
♥️♥️♥️
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Thank you for the lesson how we are on the road and closer then we were.
Thanks Donna!
What a lucky little guy - you are now intertwined with the sinew of his growing self - the grit he will need often in order to take his next steps. Blessings!!! And your writing ? Well, i teared up - if that's what you're hoping for : ) TY, Mary.
Thanks Karen!
Lovely! Yes, Mary, it IS enough! WE ARE ENOUGH, all of us. We are just not USED to seeing it that way. Success redefined is when we keep doing it, and keep doing it, and so on. You should have seen my early stumbling steps when I started using the computer some 5 years ago. Every step a painful reminder of my ineptitude. Every misstep that caused "strange" things to show up on the screen, triggering a trauma response of increased heartbeats or even panic. Trauma is mostly healed nowadays, but as soon as something goes awry, an echo of those responses are there. I meet them with self-love and, as you can see on Substack, I am still "on the road".
🥰 as we all are
Love this. I will keep "on the road" with me.
I’m glad Nancy. 😊
Love this piece.
Sometimes it all just feels so damn hard.
Agreed!
Lovely writing, and tender memories. Keep it up!
Thanks Cathy!
Beautiful Mary. You are very much well “on the road”.
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