Finding the balance between tending to yourself and the world around you? Good question. In her most recent article, @andreagibson wrote about what we do now, in the aftermath of the election. Her reasoning really struck a chord. She wrote “Every activist I have ever known who believed they owed the world their unhappiness has burned out. If we consciously fuel our joy, if we put our attention on the world’s beauty, we will have far more strength and stamina to show up to the world’s pain.” Wise words, whether there are elections or not.
Personally being in nature or in the garden helps me in myriad ways, but it is the long game for sure. Nature has its own timetable. It has taught me patience, tenacity and that nurturing the soil is much like nurturing our inner landscape: without tending to the foundational base, it’s really difficult to grow anything.
Hi Jo - thank you for sharing these thoughts and words from Andrea. I really love the idea of fueling and tending to our joy - it is not an easy process and one I always wonder how to get better at. Your garden offering was lovely and seemed very relevant to add here :)
I love the connections I find between myself and that of fellow writers ever since I've started writing. I bought a coaster with 'Jerusalem' written on it from the Palestinian pavilion at the Global Village. It broke a few days later but I refused to throw it. If this had happened even a couple of years ago, I would've kept it for months, only to throw it away after not doing anything about it. But, this time, I got myself superglue, and, instead of dumping the task on my spouse or kids, I trusted myself to do it on my own. And just as I was working on 'fixing' it, I had the same realisation as you :)
I was moved by this, and for some reason your images really brought the story home to me. Tbh, I needed 24 hours before I could fully concentrate on your story as I also lived in Umbria in my early 20s, and it wad the most beautiful and peaceful time of my life! So I could picture you there, and the stony earth... Sometimes I wonder if there are many women who have NOT had some period of their lives when they forgot to tend to themselves, it seems like such a common experience.
What a beautiful comment Tamsin thank you - beautiful that you also lived in Umbria. Yes its very true - it is too a common an experience for so many women.
Thanks Caroline. Yes true - it seems many of us wander into these types of relationships before we understand our worth and what better things look and feel like.
Finding the balance between tending to yourself and the world around you? Good question. In her most recent article, @andreagibson wrote about what we do now, in the aftermath of the election. Her reasoning really struck a chord. She wrote “Every activist I have ever known who believed they owed the world their unhappiness has burned out. If we consciously fuel our joy, if we put our attention on the world’s beauty, we will have far more strength and stamina to show up to the world’s pain.” Wise words, whether there are elections or not.
Personally being in nature or in the garden helps me in myriad ways, but it is the long game for sure. Nature has its own timetable. It has taught me patience, tenacity and that nurturing the soil is much like nurturing our inner landscape: without tending to the foundational base, it’s really difficult to grow anything.
Thank you for sharing my Garden Offering 🩶🙏🏼
Hi Jo - thank you for sharing these thoughts and words from Andrea. I really love the idea of fueling and tending to our joy - it is not an easy process and one I always wonder how to get better at. Your garden offering was lovely and seemed very relevant to add here :)
I love the connections I find between myself and that of fellow writers ever since I've started writing. I bought a coaster with 'Jerusalem' written on it from the Palestinian pavilion at the Global Village. It broke a few days later but I refused to throw it. If this had happened even a couple of years ago, I would've kept it for months, only to throw it away after not doing anything about it. But, this time, I got myself superglue, and, instead of dumping the task on my spouse or kids, I trusted myself to do it on my own. And just as I was working on 'fixing' it, I had the same realisation as you :)
That is amazing Sanobar! What synchronicity! I love it. Thank you for stopping by and sharing - hope you are well.
I am well, thank you! Was just about to message you!
Beautiful!
I was moved by this, and for some reason your images really brought the story home to me. Tbh, I needed 24 hours before I could fully concentrate on your story as I also lived in Umbria in my early 20s, and it wad the most beautiful and peaceful time of my life! So I could picture you there, and the stony earth... Sometimes I wonder if there are many women who have NOT had some period of their lives when they forgot to tend to themselves, it seems like such a common experience.
What a beautiful comment Tamsin thank you - beautiful that you also lived in Umbria. Yes its very true - it is too a common an experience for so many women.
As always you write with such openness and compassion!
Thank you Bonnie. This wasn't the easiest piece to publish - I appreciate your words.
Loved this, Catriona! It made me want to sink my hands into the soil and feel into nature's visceral knowledge 🌱
Thank you Clare and what a great image! What nature could teach us if we would only sink our hands into the soil more!
This reminds me of a relationship I had too. I'm sorry, but I'm glad we've both moved on.
Thanks Caroline. Yes true - it seems many of us wander into these types of relationships before we understand our worth and what better things look and feel like.