My heart. This is what I needed to read. Thank you for naming the silence, the practice, the building and the capacity. I now have the vocabulary to name my own need for silence and staying ... but also the need for staying to be set aside when leaving is actually the right move. Feeling grateful. Your words are a gift. Diolch o galon.
What a beautiful piece of writing! It was a balm to my heart as we enter the darkness and colors of autumn. Slowing down, staying, and paying attention. So needed in a world that’s constantly moving at what seems to be lightning speed. Thank you!
Thank you for this. I read, "to not feel the desire to drown out the life in front of me" multiple times because it felt so true to what I've felt lately. Beautiful ❤️
I want to add a newly explored source of quietude: I’m not actively pursuing the friends and acquaintances who don’t reach out. I’m often told “you’re such a good friend!” But that’s when I text or call them to see how they are. Yummy time often results. But they don’t seem to miss me enough to reach back. So I’m reaching more deeply within. In my writing. Meditation for real depth and self knowledge. And YES! To listening to birdsong. Hugs. From a fellow therapist and writer and grief counselor. Cyn ❤️
The gift of your presence, of your reflections, of your words, Lisa. We are indeed conditioned to leave our bodies and hearts all the time - what a precise way to phrase the daily heart-break we’ve grown accustomed to. Reclaiming presence feels like the biggest, most challenging *and* rewarding practice.
I loved this essay so much and I love the reminder to "practice staying" which is so difficult for me. Also, loved the lichen piece so much, especially "when you can't change your situation, change your attitude"
So grateful for that. I get my film developed from a local guy who runs a tiny shop here in Petaluma, where I live. I always recommend trying to find a local person if possible, but I've also heard good things about places like Photoworks or other mail-in development options!
Lovely, thanks Lisa! I have been spending the fall in Half Moon Bay, so have one last California roll to develop before I leave (back to Canada). I have so loved being amongst similar landscapes to those that share 💛 the ocean is so healing.
Loved this call toward staying. Reminds me of a long-cherished quote by Rumi I've held onto when it feels like staying is burning: "Fire is your water." Thank you for orienting us, always, toward this paradoxical replenishment.
Congratulations, Choosing stillness, and choosing silence serves as, I believe the finest medicine. It's allowing space between oneself and one's creator. It's the soft spot, the luminous realty where experience takes us beyond words. Thank you for this piece, that is, indeed so beautifully written.
It’s amazing how much we fill every “void” with a distraction. It’s definitely a conscious practise to just be in the moment without the need of music, tv, books, etc. I wrote a poetry book called “Searching in Silence” a few years ago exploring what came up for me in those void spaces. I explore identity, trauma, love, purpose, and death. You can find it on Amazon if it calls to you ❤️🙏🏽
Oh, I literally just wrote about the same desire a few days ago. Your words always appear right when I need them. I'm staying, too. ♡
🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
The idea that “we’ve been conditioned away from ourselves” is a powerful insight! Thank you for your words 💜
💛💛
My heart. This is what I needed to read. Thank you for naming the silence, the practice, the building and the capacity. I now have the vocabulary to name my own need for silence and staying ... but also the need for staying to be set aside when leaving is actually the right move. Feeling grateful. Your words are a gift. Diolch o galon.
So very grateful it reached you -- and thank you for saying so 💛💛
What a beautiful piece of writing! It was a balm to my heart as we enter the darkness and colors of autumn. Slowing down, staying, and paying attention. So needed in a world that’s constantly moving at what seems to be lightning speed. Thank you!
Thank you for reading 🫶🏻
Thank you for this. I read, "to not feel the desire to drown out the life in front of me" multiple times because it felt so true to what I've felt lately. Beautiful ❤️
Thank you for reading 💛
I promise to focus this week on staying. And listening more to the sounds of the world around me. As it is.
A forever practice 💛
I want to add a newly explored source of quietude: I’m not actively pursuing the friends and acquaintances who don’t reach out. I’m often told “you’re such a good friend!” But that’s when I text or call them to see how they are. Yummy time often results. But they don’t seem to miss me enough to reach back. So I’m reaching more deeply within. In my writing. Meditation for real depth and self knowledge. And YES! To listening to birdsong. Hugs. From a fellow therapist and writer and grief counselor. Cyn ❤️
Hugs to you 🫶🏻
The gift of your presence, of your reflections, of your words, Lisa. We are indeed conditioned to leave our bodies and hearts all the time - what a precise way to phrase the daily heart-break we’ve grown accustomed to. Reclaiming presence feels like the biggest, most challenging *and* rewarding practice.
The daily heart-break, oof yes. Thank you for being here 🫶🏻
I loved this essay so much and I love the reminder to "practice staying" which is so difficult for me. Also, loved the lichen piece so much, especially "when you can't change your situation, change your attitude"
I'm so grateful you took some time with these words -- thank you 🫶🏻
Thank you, as always for all that you offer 💛 your newsletter is such a solace. I am also wondering where you get your film developed (thank you 🥰)?
So grateful for that. I get my film developed from a local guy who runs a tiny shop here in Petaluma, where I live. I always recommend trying to find a local person if possible, but I've also heard good things about places like Photoworks or other mail-in development options!
Lovely, thanks Lisa! I have been spending the fall in Half Moon Bay, so have one last California roll to develop before I leave (back to Canada). I have so loved being amongst similar landscapes to those that share 💛 the ocean is so healing.
Loved this call toward staying. Reminds me of a long-cherished quote by Rumi I've held onto when it feels like staying is burning: "Fire is your water." Thank you for orienting us, always, toward this paradoxical replenishment.
Grateful for you, Shira.
Lovely meditation on finding presence.
Thank you for reading, Peter!
Congratulations, Choosing stillness, and choosing silence serves as, I believe the finest medicine. It's allowing space between oneself and one's creator. It's the soft spot, the luminous realty where experience takes us beyond words. Thank you for this piece, that is, indeed so beautifully written.
So grateful, thank you 💛
It’s amazing how much we fill every “void” with a distraction. It’s definitely a conscious practise to just be in the moment without the need of music, tv, books, etc. I wrote a poetry book called “Searching in Silence” a few years ago exploring what came up for me in those void spaces. I explore identity, trauma, love, purpose, and death. You can find it on Amazon if it calls to you ❤️🙏🏽
Thanks for sharing!
Wow. Amazing perceptions about yourself, and therefore, about everyone.