I loved reading this - it brought back memories of my own seeking the guidance and answers from a mysterious other. So much of what you shared is deeply familiar, including the pronged pen in 4 colors - which I have one right now that has wandered into my possession! 😉 I was told many things, many drawings, and one that I can't let go - the course I would DEFINITELY take (exclamation point) - many years ago. Those outward quests have morphed into the inward journey, also where the mysterious resides. Beautiful story, and thank you for bringing forth some deeply buried memories on this path of life. 🙏
Ah, now I am so curious about the course you would DEFINITELY take! Have you, in any way, taken it? Or has it influenced your decisions one way or another? It's so fascinating how the answers from a mysterious other can take root (or not). It's almost like when you flip a coin — your reaction to the outcome tells you the answer you were seeking, because that's your intuition speaking! Yet I've ignored plenty of sound guidance, inner and outer... because I guess that's life. Thank you for sharing!
Ah, my old friend arrival fallacy. A familiar companion that has brought me both relentless discomfort and the very subject to express myself through in my writing. Process as the only real arrival is, for me, the epitome of "we teach best what we most need to learn." (!) The early twenties really are a doozy of a time when it comes to to wanting to forgo the journey of small steps, let alone the stairs. I feel this! Thank you for sharing, Caroline!
Oh, "we teach best what we most need to learn." I think about this often. Every time I encounter a writer, speaker, spiritual teacher, you name it who has a message that really lands, I wonder if they're actually struggling with what they present as their area of expertise. And how learning goes both ways — the teacher is always learning, the student has much to teach. Thank you, Anna!
Surely when the search is over, the striving done, we find ourselves on our death bed with still so many things to do?
When I recently stated that I'm "percolating with anger at what he's done to me..." my social worker said "Good. Get angry, because angry women get shit done!" Um, true!
BTW, Platypus do the most beautiful ballet! ...They just happen to perform under water. 🙂
Rusty! This is the most wonderful point. (Well, everything you say here is wonderful, but I was blown away by contemplating underwater platypus ballet.) I love this idea – that everyone, and every creature, is doing its own beautiful thing, albeit in its own way. Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Thank you so much for this beautiful article. You're such a beautiful writer. I have been searching for the better part of my life and I am not done yet. I love the illustration of the staircase... one step at a time. My problem is procrastination and I am trying very hard to overcome it.
Thank you, Yvonne. Procrastination gets me, too! I can do things for other people, but have a really hard time with tasks that are for me, or where there is no deadline. I've found rewards to be helpful. Even things like putting a sticker on a calendar when I get something done. Whatever works!
I loved reading this - it brought back memories of my own seeking the guidance and answers from a mysterious other. So much of what you shared is deeply familiar, including the pronged pen in 4 colors - which I have one right now that has wandered into my possession! 😉 I was told many things, many drawings, and one that I can't let go - the course I would DEFINITELY take (exclamation point) - many years ago. Those outward quests have morphed into the inward journey, also where the mysterious resides. Beautiful story, and thank you for bringing forth some deeply buried memories on this path of life. 🙏
Ah, now I am so curious about the course you would DEFINITELY take! Have you, in any way, taken it? Or has it influenced your decisions one way or another? It's so fascinating how the answers from a mysterious other can take root (or not). It's almost like when you flip a coin — your reaction to the outcome tells you the answer you were seeking, because that's your intuition speaking! Yet I've ignored plenty of sound guidance, inner and outer... because I guess that's life. Thank you for sharing!
Ah, my old friend arrival fallacy. A familiar companion that has brought me both relentless discomfort and the very subject to express myself through in my writing. Process as the only real arrival is, for me, the epitome of "we teach best what we most need to learn." (!) The early twenties really are a doozy of a time when it comes to to wanting to forgo the journey of small steps, let alone the stairs. I feel this! Thank you for sharing, Caroline!
Oh, "we teach best what we most need to learn." I think about this often. Every time I encounter a writer, speaker, spiritual teacher, you name it who has a message that really lands, I wonder if they're actually struggling with what they present as their area of expertise. And how learning goes both ways — the teacher is always learning, the student has much to teach. Thank you, Anna!
Every single bit of this spoke to me! Thank you, Caroline, for sharing your stories, wisdom, and vulnerability.
Thank you, Jacey. ❤️
Surely when the search is over, the striving done, we find ourselves on our death bed with still so many things to do?
When I recently stated that I'm "percolating with anger at what he's done to me..." my social worker said "Good. Get angry, because angry women get shit done!" Um, true!
BTW, Platypus do the most beautiful ballet! ...They just happen to perform under water. 🙂
Rusty! This is the most wonderful point. (Well, everything you say here is wonderful, but I was blown away by contemplating underwater platypus ballet.) I love this idea – that everyone, and every creature, is doing its own beautiful thing, albeit in its own way. Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Thank you so much for this beautiful article. You're such a beautiful writer. I have been searching for the better part of my life and I am not done yet. I love the illustration of the staircase... one step at a time. My problem is procrastination and I am trying very hard to overcome it.
Thank you, Yvonne. Procrastination gets me, too! I can do things for other people, but have a really hard time with tasks that are for me, or where there is no deadline. I've found rewards to be helpful. Even things like putting a sticker on a calendar when I get something done. Whatever works!
Thank you so much for this beautiful piece of writing to start my week.
Thank you, Rebecca. (And you're very welcome.😊)