It’s not easy to tell the truth, to reach down and touch how you feel about something or someone and then to crank up the volume. To say it out loud. This is obvious when it comes to criticism…You haven’t called me in months. How can you not care about what’s going on in Gaza? Why are you so stubborn, selfish, dense? And a large variety of other projections. This question of truthtelling becomes even more gripping when you consider how difficult it is to say something loving to someone else. If you say something
Seems we always find goodness up close and personal. The news media, unfortunately, needs to keep tweaking the disaster part of our still-evolving frontal cortex.
Thought-provoking observation. It is kind of unsettling to receive a spontaneous, unexpected acknowledge of one’s goodness. But it’s also a gift to be cherished. Lovely story from a lovely person. Thanks.
I loved what I read as shy expressions of daily mysticism, and since it is a mystery, I felt that you‘d gotten to the heart or the meat (thinly sliced for sandwiches) of it, with your everyday experiences of expressing appreciation and love.
This piece is breathgiving. Your choice of words, your determination to keep your finger on the pulse of something as essential and yet inevitably diminished by whatever words we use is Herculean. Kindness and goodness radiate in realms of the heart and in experiences that transcend description. I read somewhere that the Dalai Lama, when asked what his religion is, replied “My religion is KINDNESS.” Those words speak volumes… And so do yours. Thank you.
Once again, Susie, thank you! Sometimes experiences really do need words - for the speaker and the listener. Too often - in our dim/confusing times - the unsaid is unknown to both (as least as an act of loving attention).
Oh - that's why! I never understood this before - but so true! you wrote:
"People do not know what to do when someone else recognizes their goodness. It makes them feel naked, exposed. It makes them feel that their protective coating has rubbed off. "
What an uplifting post today, Susie. Thank you so much. So needed.
Just so beautiful!! It’s your heart — more aware from experience of the love that swirls around there and in every other molecule of the space between us and around us — that makes the difference! And just saying what IS true, what you see so clearly, multiplies the magic!! And the joy!
Seems we always find goodness up close and personal. The news media, unfortunately, needs to keep tweaking the disaster part of our still-evolving frontal cortex.
Thought-provoking observation. It is kind of unsettling to receive a spontaneous, unexpected acknowledge of one’s goodness. But it’s also a gift to be cherished. Lovely story from a lovely person. Thanks.
I loved what I read as shy expressions of daily mysticism, and since it is a mystery, I felt that you‘d gotten to the heart or the meat (thinly sliced for sandwiches) of it, with your everyday experiences of expressing appreciation and love.
I love that you could find the words for this experience. I am still trying but your piece tells me it is possible and I should keep trying.
This piece is breathgiving. Your choice of words, your determination to keep your finger on the pulse of something as essential and yet inevitably diminished by whatever words we use is Herculean. Kindness and goodness radiate in realms of the heart and in experiences that transcend description. I read somewhere that the Dalai Lama, when asked what his religion is, replied “My religion is KINDNESS.” Those words speak volumes… And so do yours. Thank you.
Once again, Susie, thank you! Sometimes experiences really do need words - for the speaker and the listener. Too often - in our dim/confusing times - the unsaid is unknown to both (as least as an act of loving attention).
The language of spirituality ... doesn’t hold a candle to the experience.
And yet your language gets close, dear Susie. Thank you for your beautiful mirror to goodness and humanity. This essay brings G-d-tears...
Oh - that's why! I never understood this before - but so true! you wrote:
"People do not know what to do when someone else recognizes their goodness. It makes them feel naked, exposed. It makes them feel that their protective coating has rubbed off. "
What an uplifting post today, Susie. Thank you so much. So needed.
Love,
Pam
You are an inspiration, girl!
Just so beautiful!! It’s your heart — more aware from experience of the love that swirls around there and in every other molecule of the space between us and around us — that makes the difference! And just saying what IS true, what you see so clearly, multiplies the magic!! And the joy!