Thanks for this, sister. You're reflection "Beyond words yet through words" means a lot. Words are such funny things--they both expand possibilities and limit them. When people feel the expansion of touching something that's beyond words, I know I'm doing my job. XOXO
This is so wonderful to hear, Pauline. Thank you so much for sharing. I know how special you are in Karna's life and it's truly an honor to have you here.
Wow. A mutual friend of ours shared this. It’s as if you are articulating what is in my head and what I have been learning to understand the past 46 years and trying to retrain myself to believe and become the past several . Thank you. It’s a long and often lonely journey. Hearing your story lets me know that at least I’m not alone.
You are not alone, Ang. It's not an easy journey, this life. May there be much grace and good company as you walk. Thank you so much for sharing how this piece touched you. And my gratitude to your friend who brought our paths together.
In fact, this resonated with me so much that I read each and every one of your other posts. And then, inspired by “I’m tired of Pretending“ and “Things Break Apart”, after recognizing the familiar aches in my heart, the exhaustion and pains in my body, and allowing the tears to stream freely down my face, I disregarded the mundane tasks I was attempting to push through today and I, without guilt, took a nap. A LONG nap.
This is no easy practice as self-care has been ingrained to equate to selfishness, in my world. It is also difficult because I worry that the moment I slow down and stop moving and grooving, I’ll be stigmatized as grappling with depression or some other mental illness. The stigmatization of mental illnesses is an entirely different topic that needs to be broached, but for now, how about life is just fucking depleting, difficult and exhausting at times?!
So, thank you, Kai. For reminding me to allow myself that self-care is important and I didn’t have to feel guilty about my nap today. It isn’t a luxury I will always be able to make time for, but I did today. This thing we call life, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. And so are the growing pains and insights we glean from our journeys.
Much gratitude for sharing your vulnerable and authentic truths with us. They serve as reminders that we all possess them. 🙏
Wow, Ang. I'm thrilled to hear that a tour through all of my posts resulted in you enjoying a guilt-free nap! That has to be one of the best compliments The New Story has received. I totally get you. We're TAUGHT that self-care = selfishness. But if self-care is "selfish" then selfish is exactly what we need to be, okay? You're right. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Please keep taking good care of you. And thank you for sharing. I'm glad you're here.
Thank you for this powerful poem and this re envisioning of our world and what is possible. I want this world for you, for me, and all women!
Yes. We're doing it. I'm stronger standing with you, my beautiful friend.
So wonderful to hear you read your strong profound, very important poem.
And I get this --- life is sacred, it's time to do what is necessary to protect it. Thank you for your gift of sharing what matters
powerful beyond words and yet through your words. This is perfect truth and I am deeply moved by it. Thank you Kai. Keep it coming!
Thanks for this, sister. You're reflection "Beyond words yet through words" means a lot. Words are such funny things--they both expand possibilities and limit them. When people feel the expansion of touching something that's beyond words, I know I'm doing my job. XOXO
Thank you for this great poem! It makes me proud and feeling good.
This is so wonderful to hear, Pauline. Thank you so much for sharing. I know how special you are in Karna's life and it's truly an honor to have you here.
Wow. A mutual friend of ours shared this. It’s as if you are articulating what is in my head and what I have been learning to understand the past 46 years and trying to retrain myself to believe and become the past several . Thank you. It’s a long and often lonely journey. Hearing your story lets me know that at least I’m not alone.
You are not alone, Ang. It's not an easy journey, this life. May there be much grace and good company as you walk. Thank you so much for sharing how this piece touched you. And my gratitude to your friend who brought our paths together.
YES TO CO-CREATING THIS WORLD. 🌎
You are/we are, sister. 💖
This is so beautiful and necessary. I also want this world, I want these women, I want to be this woman.
YES! We are becoming these women, becoming this world. So glad we're in it together, Molly.
In fact, this resonated with me so much that I read each and every one of your other posts. And then, inspired by “I’m tired of Pretending“ and “Things Break Apart”, after recognizing the familiar aches in my heart, the exhaustion and pains in my body, and allowing the tears to stream freely down my face, I disregarded the mundane tasks I was attempting to push through today and I, without guilt, took a nap. A LONG nap.
This is no easy practice as self-care has been ingrained to equate to selfishness, in my world. It is also difficult because I worry that the moment I slow down and stop moving and grooving, I’ll be stigmatized as grappling with depression or some other mental illness. The stigmatization of mental illnesses is an entirely different topic that needs to be broached, but for now, how about life is just fucking depleting, difficult and exhausting at times?!
So, thank you, Kai. For reminding me to allow myself that self-care is important and I didn’t have to feel guilty about my nap today. It isn’t a luxury I will always be able to make time for, but I did today. This thing we call life, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. And so are the growing pains and insights we glean from our journeys.
Much gratitude for sharing your vulnerable and authentic truths with us. They serve as reminders that we all possess them. 🙏
Wow, Ang. I'm thrilled to hear that a tour through all of my posts resulted in you enjoying a guilt-free nap! That has to be one of the best compliments The New Story has received. I totally get you. We're TAUGHT that self-care = selfishness. But if self-care is "selfish" then selfish is exactly what we need to be, okay? You're right. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Please keep taking good care of you. And thank you for sharing. I'm glad you're here.