43 Comments
User's avatar
Kristy Acevedo's avatar

“might be the practice of a lifetime to let the inevitability of change widen the heart instead of shrinking it.” ❤️❤️❤️

Lisa Olivera's avatar

A forever reminder <3 <3

Tina Derke's avatar

Wow! Lisa-this was very powerful. I want to read it several more times to take it all in.

Lisa Olivera's avatar

So grateful it reached you <3

Elena Aguilar's avatar

Lisa, this is one of my all-time favorites that you've written - I'll be reading it over and over. These words: "...having a job that allows me to sit up close with humanity every day is the widest reminder..." and also these, "...there is room for your gifts, your offerings, your invitations,..." ...your offerings don’t need to solve it all… that was never the task. ..." and ESPECIALLY these: "...and it might be the practice of a lifetime to let the inevitability of change widen the heart instead of shrinking it..." I'm going to read that over and over. Thank you thank you thank you.

Lisa Olivera's avatar

I am so grateful it connected with you -- thank you for this reflection, for sharing what resonated, for being here. Truly. <3

Odunoluwa's avatar

I want to tell you this writing is so enriching and life-giving. Thank you dor sharing.

Lisa Olivera's avatar

So grateful <3

Samita Syed-Needelman's avatar

What a gift that I needed to receive. I shall take it in, quietly, one morsel at a time, for a very long while. Sending the magical being a joyful, curious, and creative fourth year celebration. ✨️💜🎊🎶🙏🏽

Lisa Olivera's avatar

I am so glad it reached you -- and thank you for the sweet wishes. So grateful <3 <3 <3

Andrew Moe's avatar

Beautiful. Thank you

Lisa Olivera's avatar

Thank you for reading <3

Stephanie Needham's avatar

Lisa, you write:

I want to tell you that so often when we think we’re grasping to get somewhere else, what we’re really longing for is to feel like we can be fully here, right now, in the pulse of aliveness only found in the tenderness of presence.

This touches me. I have been a restless spirit most of my 62 years .... and at last, realizing the fulfillment of life when I pause "here" and stay .... cravings can go underground and even revered when seeking is ungrounded in its approach. I will forever remain a seeker i suspect - amazing how much I can do right here, right now and in my backyard with the people I have known for a very long time ....

P.S. And of course a Whyte poem will embellish all of our writing .... supportive and integrative ❤

Lisa Olivera's avatar

I so understand the restlessness... and the beauty of seeking -- and the quest for finding what's here, now, feels like such a gift. One I am still practicing leaning into. Thank you for sharing <3

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

This was widening embodied. <3

Lisa Olivera's avatar

Ohh thank you for taking the time to read <3

Muskan Lamba's avatar

beautiful

Lisa Olivera's avatar

Thank you for reading xx

Marcelyn Smith's avatar

A keeper. Thank you.

Lisa Olivera's avatar

Thank you for reading <3

Mika's avatar

It’s interesting how your scene of decorating for your daughter’s birthday, reminded me of how far away that memory is for me. Our children are aged 18-24 year old and I remember wondering what they would be like as an adult, when they were young…and here they are in front of me, independent with their own wonderful personalities and life paths.

Thomas Lloyd Qualls's avatar

I love everything about this.

(Including the poem by David Whyte, who I also love.)

Thanks for being here and doing what you do and sharing your art with us.

Lisa Olivera's avatar

Thank you for reading -- and David Whyte is truly such a gift.

Mariah Maddox's avatar

A beautiful reminder. Thank you.

Amy Brown's avatar

Lisa! This was truly beautiful, wise, generous and hopeful and exactly what I needed to read right now. I am saving to re-read. It’s medicine for my soul. And the new Brandi Carlile song—ahhh.💗

Lisa Olivera's avatar

Ohh so glad it connected with you -- and Brandi's new album is so so beautiful! 🧡

Allison Deraney's avatar

“ I cried tears filled with the layers of life.” Gawd!!! What a brilliant line. Life is packed with paradox, right?

Thank you, Lisa. I want to tell you how much I needed all of this today 🙏🏼💞

Lisa Olivera's avatar

So grateful it reached you 💛💛

Lisa Kunkel (formerly Grimm)'s avatar

Thank you. 🙇🏻‍♀️

Lisa Olivera's avatar

💛💛💛