Your posts always make me feel so surprisingly grounded. Like a permission to pause and listen in to your reflections... and the to take a moment to pause and reflect back into my own environment the things you offered up. Slowing down, friendships, the beauty/resilience of trees and nature around us. Everything is so connected.
I was struck by your ruminations on finality vs closure. As someone still grappling with the end of a long-term relationship over a year ago, I get peeved when people suggest I just “move on”—but a chapter never really closes, does it? Everything in our past influences what we do in our present, knowingly or unknowingly. We can just choose not to revisit it, or honor it, but it will always be there.
I loved all of these sparks, but I think the one that resonated with me the most was Henri's quote about the "twilight zone in our hearts" that only the people closest to us can see in (like creatures with a special night vision), because I experience the feeling of knowing a lot about myself and yet being bewildered (don't you just love that word btw, how it evokes a deep and tangled forest?) about certain aspects of myself, especially when it comes to my sense of internal motivation, which is not very strong and often requires outward stimulation/deadlines to get me to do even the simplest things. But I also experience it in my relationships, those that I still, blessedly, maintain, and those that I've lost recently. I've been made to feel that these broken relationships were mostly my fault, and to this day I genuinely can't decide if that's true or not. But what I do know for certain is that the friendships I do have I will fight tooth and nail to keep strong and resilient, because, at the end of the day, my loved ones are probably the most important thing in the world to me. They're the ones that pull me back from the brink of that gaping valley of shadows that I have been to many times, which I am terrified of falling back into.
Comment time! So at first I wanted to wait whole week to unfold everything. But... well. As for the quote for the first few days it was a big, empty hole for me. But it changed today. I saw new The Robin video from church and I wanted to come back to the quote. And I was like "it looks like he is speaking about confession, what if he is priest". And I checked and he was. I'm very proud, yay. And now dropping whole analysis, focusing on what sparks to me... So the only thing that gets my attention is that "twilight zones" reminds me of hiding something. So I will take opportunity and admit that I work on some projects born from sparks post (music beats). Here, just like confession :)
This is such a lovely post on friendship, and a sultry new song. I just "upgraded" because I enjoy your posts. I'm glad you came to my state, although northeast Georgia is nothing like coastal Savannah. It is a beautiful city.
Thanks for sharing the song and your experience in Savannah. To answer your question, a chapter doesn't close. Finality is the better word. I noticed you italicized "releasing." I know exactly what you mean. Curiousness will keep one ageless and wise, like that tree. Think of all the experiences that tree and many like it have had. Children playing near it, couples kissing by it. A woman at a transitional place in her life appreciating its beauty, contours and crevices; before she sings beautifully for a friend. Roots running deep. When we reflect, go deep within ourselves and walk in nature, our feet plant firmly to the ground and we walk tall animating our spirit. It's like you sang in one of my personal favorites of yours "Home is Here." "The Robin" is beautiful (shocker). I look forward to the story.
Your posts always make me feel so surprisingly grounded. Like a permission to pause and listen in to your reflections... and the to take a moment to pause and reflect back into my own environment the things you offered up. Slowing down, friendships, the beauty/resilience of trees and nature around us. Everything is so connected.
I was struck by your ruminations on finality vs closure. As someone still grappling with the end of a long-term relationship over a year ago, I get peeved when people suggest I just “move on”—but a chapter never really closes, does it? Everything in our past influences what we do in our present, knowingly or unknowingly. We can just choose not to revisit it, or honor it, but it will always be there.
Just want to know one thing: Is this THE Kimbra of "Settle Down" fame?
Yep.
I loved all of these sparks, but I think the one that resonated with me the most was Henri's quote about the "twilight zone in our hearts" that only the people closest to us can see in (like creatures with a special night vision), because I experience the feeling of knowing a lot about myself and yet being bewildered (don't you just love that word btw, how it evokes a deep and tangled forest?) about certain aspects of myself, especially when it comes to my sense of internal motivation, which is not very strong and often requires outward stimulation/deadlines to get me to do even the simplest things. But I also experience it in my relationships, those that I still, blessedly, maintain, and those that I've lost recently. I've been made to feel that these broken relationships were mostly my fault, and to this day I genuinely can't decide if that's true or not. But what I do know for certain is that the friendships I do have I will fight tooth and nail to keep strong and resilient, because, at the end of the day, my loved ones are probably the most important thing in the world to me. They're the ones that pull me back from the brink of that gaping valley of shadows that I have been to many times, which I am terrified of falling back into.
I loved the quote by Henri Nouwen.
It sparked a LOT in me.
I sent it off to all my favorite people! [many]
It made me delight in how much we don't understand about ourselves, and how much others do know; and still love us "No matter what"!!!
Just as I love others; even with their faults that make them SO unique and WoNdErFuL!
...and your song is delightful and deep.
I don't write music, but I have played it and have ALWAYS loved it.
Music just touches my soul in a deep way that maybe you can understand.
It stretches my soul and makes me want to understand myself and others more.
...and lastly the tree. WoW...
I want to reach out and feel it's branches and share how it looks with everyone!
Comment time! So at first I wanted to wait whole week to unfold everything. But... well. As for the quote for the first few days it was a big, empty hole for me. But it changed today. I saw new The Robin video from church and I wanted to come back to the quote. And I was like "it looks like he is speaking about confession, what if he is priest". And I checked and he was. I'm very proud, yay. And now dropping whole analysis, focusing on what sparks to me... So the only thing that gets my attention is that "twilight zones" reminds me of hiding something. So I will take opportunity and admit that I work on some projects born from sparks post (music beats). Here, just like confession :)
This is such a lovely post on friendship, and a sultry new song. I just "upgraded" because I enjoy your posts. I'm glad you came to my state, although northeast Georgia is nothing like coastal Savannah. It is a beautiful city.
Thanks for sharing the song and your experience in Savannah. To answer your question, a chapter doesn't close. Finality is the better word. I noticed you italicized "releasing." I know exactly what you mean. Curiousness will keep one ageless and wise, like that tree. Think of all the experiences that tree and many like it have had. Children playing near it, couples kissing by it. A woman at a transitional place in her life appreciating its beauty, contours and crevices; before she sings beautifully for a friend. Roots running deep. When we reflect, go deep within ourselves and walk in nature, our feet plant firmly to the ground and we walk tall animating our spirit. It's like you sang in one of my personal favorites of yours "Home is Here." "The Robin" is beautiful (shocker). I look forward to the story.
Beautiful song. I have a Crepe Myrtle in front of my house. I too love the wood and bark colors.
Crepe myrtle also makes a great walking stick.
Sometimes, slowing down can make your heart race.