Sometimes it is like you are inside my head, because your writing expresses so much that describes me and my issues. “Shoulds” about my healing journey are a huge problem for me, and add to my shame. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience!
Thank you so much for this beautiful offering! It opened my eyes to ways I might integrate the practice of “Beginner’s Mind” into my own life. I am so grateful for this space, your newsletter brings me so much joy and comfort. Thank you!🥰
Mmm...you made me want oats with seeds and berries and a side of turkey bacon! Love that you shared this little tidbit. Rituals and routines can be so grounding and soothing. You never know what unexpected things will come at you every day, but at least you know what you will be having for breakfast, damnit!☺️ And of course, anytime you can eliminate decision making is so helpful. Love keeping it simple and boring. Why create undue stress and complexity where not needed?
Thank you for this lovely newsletter and the reminder that healing is not a destination. We will NEVER have it all figured out no matter how many times we think we have mastered something and can move on. Showing up every day to learn, re-learn, and un-learn is the work. I also have tried shifting away from "healing" as an action that I need to be doing everyday. Sometimes I really think that it was in the constant searching that I actually lost myself. I don't always need to be found or figured out. Showing up as a beginner every day- to yourself, to your relationships, at work, in play, etc.- helps immensely with compassion and curiosity.
Thank you for continuing to share your authentic self. I can only imagine the pressure to have it all figured out as a therapist, but at least you know that this community doesn't expect that of you. <3
Oh wow, I think I went to college with Alisa! Super cool, great Tiny Desk show.
Yes, I feel you on thinking we need to be "healed" after xyz amount of work. Along the lines of having a platform while still working through things, I loved something Alok Vaid Menon said in an interview along the lines of "Putting people on pedestals is dehumanizing." We're allowed to talk about healing and still be works in progress. My post today was along those lines.
I don't trust teachers who say they don't have work to do. I have a spiritual teacher who has been practicing Buddhism for 50+ years who says "the limits of what can be known cannot be known." If we think we've made it to a final destination, we're probably wrong. And if we tell others we've made it to a final destination, we're probably lying.
I love your newsletters and this one is ringing with themes I've been working through as well, and landed in my inbox at just the right time. Especially trying to lean into more curiosity/less judgement and more self compassion and grace for where I'm at in each moment, despite wanting to be further along and often feeling like I "should" know better/do better. But the gap between intellectually understanding something and integrating it/being able to access that wisdom in times of stress & always act as my best self (likely an unrealistic goal, but would be real neat) can be so frustrating. These gentle invitations and reminders were a helpful anchor I hope to hold in mind (copied some into my notes app AND my paper journal) as I continue to practice returning to appreciation for the often messy experience/nature of humanness and to feeling gratitude for where I am now, amidst it all. I keep telling myself I'll never not be figuring it out! Always beginning. <3
I am feeling a return to Beginner’s Mind too. Back in 2019 I did some self-care/exploration workshops that really helped me uncover a lot of things. Lately I’ve noticed some old feelings/patterns coming back up and my first instinct was, “I should know this by now!” Last night I decided I would start up those workshops again and see what I uncover this time and ground myself again. Now I actually feel excited about returning rather than “bad” about it. We are constantly growing and evolving, and sometimes things just need to be revisited! ❤️
I worked as a childhood trauma therapist for many years, and it wasn't until I stepped away from direct practice (and maybe also aged a little), that I was able to begin to release the pressure to not have any of my own "stuff." I really appreciate this post. Also, I was born in Marin! And, it means so much to me to see my work mentioned here in your space. Thank you for that -mutual inspiration is a powerful thing. xoxo
Reading about the Beginner's Mind allowed me to take a deep breath.
Reading that it's not my fault for still being in a healing phase or not being better, allowed me to take deep breath.
"I invite you to trust that your body is responding in certain ways for a reason." - I desperately needed this invitation as I am constantly feeling betrayed by my own body right now.
I've been experiencing flashbacks almost every day for about a year now and at this point it somehow feels like my fault. I'm doing the work that is necessary to heal: EMDR, talk-therapy, energy work, exercise, etc. but I'm still having flashbacks, I'm still dissociating, I'm still experiencing downs. And it feels like it's all my fault. Why can't I get better, what am I not tuning into, I'm trying to listen to my younger parts, I feel like I am, so why am I still having flashbacks? But, if I approach this with a Beginner's Mind, I feel my body relax a little. A wave of sadness comes along with it, because I realize there is a lot for me to learn about why these sensations and flashbacks are still coming. It feels incredibly daunting. But it's not something I have to fault myself for. Thank you for sharing your writing. And thank you for being so vulnerable and authentic.
Sometimes it is like you are inside my head, because your writing expresses so much that describes me and my issues. “Shoulds” about my healing journey are a huge problem for me, and add to my shame. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience!
Thank you so much for this beautiful offering! It opened my eyes to ways I might integrate the practice of “Beginner’s Mind” into my own life. I am so grateful for this space, your newsletter brings me so much joy and comfort. Thank you!🥰
Mmm...you made me want oats with seeds and berries and a side of turkey bacon! Love that you shared this little tidbit. Rituals and routines can be so grounding and soothing. You never know what unexpected things will come at you every day, but at least you know what you will be having for breakfast, damnit!☺️ And of course, anytime you can eliminate decision making is so helpful. Love keeping it simple and boring. Why create undue stress and complexity where not needed?
Thank you for this lovely newsletter and the reminder that healing is not a destination. We will NEVER have it all figured out no matter how many times we think we have mastered something and can move on. Showing up every day to learn, re-learn, and un-learn is the work. I also have tried shifting away from "healing" as an action that I need to be doing everyday. Sometimes I really think that it was in the constant searching that I actually lost myself. I don't always need to be found or figured out. Showing up as a beginner every day- to yourself, to your relationships, at work, in play, etc.- helps immensely with compassion and curiosity.
Thank you for continuing to share your authentic self. I can only imagine the pressure to have it all figured out as a therapist, but at least you know that this community doesn't expect that of you. <3
I think I need to make a poster of the shoulds. As a mediocre zen practitioner, this resonates deeply. Thank you.
Oh wow, I think I went to college with Alisa! Super cool, great Tiny Desk show.
Yes, I feel you on thinking we need to be "healed" after xyz amount of work. Along the lines of having a platform while still working through things, I loved something Alok Vaid Menon said in an interview along the lines of "Putting people on pedestals is dehumanizing." We're allowed to talk about healing and still be works in progress. My post today was along those lines.
I don't trust teachers who say they don't have work to do. I have a spiritual teacher who has been practicing Buddhism for 50+ years who says "the limits of what can be known cannot be known." If we think we've made it to a final destination, we're probably wrong. And if we tell others we've made it to a final destination, we're probably lying.
Thanks for your honestly, always.
I love your newsletters and this one is ringing with themes I've been working through as well, and landed in my inbox at just the right time. Especially trying to lean into more curiosity/less judgement and more self compassion and grace for where I'm at in each moment, despite wanting to be further along and often feeling like I "should" know better/do better. But the gap between intellectually understanding something and integrating it/being able to access that wisdom in times of stress & always act as my best self (likely an unrealistic goal, but would be real neat) can be so frustrating. These gentle invitations and reminders were a helpful anchor I hope to hold in mind (copied some into my notes app AND my paper journal) as I continue to practice returning to appreciation for the often messy experience/nature of humanness and to feeling gratitude for where I am now, amidst it all. I keep telling myself I'll never not be figuring it out! Always beginning. <3
I am feeling a return to Beginner’s Mind too. Back in 2019 I did some self-care/exploration workshops that really helped me uncover a lot of things. Lately I’ve noticed some old feelings/patterns coming back up and my first instinct was, “I should know this by now!” Last night I decided I would start up those workshops again and see what I uncover this time and ground myself again. Now I actually feel excited about returning rather than “bad” about it. We are constantly growing and evolving, and sometimes things just need to be revisited! ❤️
Loved this so much I quoted from it and included a link to it in my newsletter article. You can read what I wrote here: https://wendigordon.substack.com/p/we-all-have-unhealed-wounds?sd=pf. I'd welcome your feedback on it!
I worked as a childhood trauma therapist for many years, and it wasn't until I stepped away from direct practice (and maybe also aged a little), that I was able to begin to release the pressure to not have any of my own "stuff." I really appreciate this post. Also, I was born in Marin! And, it means so much to me to see my work mentioned here in your space. Thank you for that -mutual inspiration is a powerful thing. xoxo
I needed to hear this.
Reading about the Beginner's Mind allowed me to take a deep breath.
Reading that it's not my fault for still being in a healing phase or not being better, allowed me to take deep breath.
"I invite you to trust that your body is responding in certain ways for a reason." - I desperately needed this invitation as I am constantly feeling betrayed by my own body right now.
I've been experiencing flashbacks almost every day for about a year now and at this point it somehow feels like my fault. I'm doing the work that is necessary to heal: EMDR, talk-therapy, energy work, exercise, etc. but I'm still having flashbacks, I'm still dissociating, I'm still experiencing downs. And it feels like it's all my fault. Why can't I get better, what am I not tuning into, I'm trying to listen to my younger parts, I feel like I am, so why am I still having flashbacks? But, if I approach this with a Beginner's Mind, I feel my body relax a little. A wave of sadness comes along with it, because I realize there is a lot for me to learn about why these sensations and flashbacks are still coming. It feels incredibly daunting. But it's not something I have to fault myself for. Thank you for sharing your writing. And thank you for being so vulnerable and authentic.