Your newsletter is the only one that I read every week. I can't wait to read them, but I'm sad when they're over because I won't have that "first read" feeling again. Thank you so much for doing what you do-- I'll always be here for it.
Thank you, Lindsay, for these kind words, and for being here, and for letting my writing be a part of your week. I can’t properly express how much it means to me (but it’s a lot).
it strikes me that your definition of success as "the accomplishment of an aim or purpose" puts the emphasis on "accomplishment" rather than "aim." But, as you rightly point out, "success is often posited as a destination." I feel like you might be interested in this much older definition of success, from Samuel Johnson's 1755 Dictionary: "1. The termination of any affair happy or unhappy."
Any affair! Happy *or* unhappy! How topsy turvy is the English language!
& that's not all: while Johnson does admit that usage of the word success is going in the direction of only referring to positive successes ("Success without any epithet is commonly taken for good success"), he also includes an even OLDER definition, which helps us all understand why we are obsessed with watching Succession:
Oh, wow! That site is fun. On my very first try, I discovered that "chicken" means "a word of tenderness." (No idea why I wanted to look up chicken, but it did not disappoint.) I'm going to keep exploring.
If success had retained its older definition, I wonder what society would have replaced it with. Certainly there would still be a vast self-improvement industry dedicated to striving for...something.
What a truly lovely piece of writing (I gave a shout/barked laughter at "Mary-Oliver-poem stuff"). It was also extremely helpful just as I was bemoaning a Nothing-Done Sunday to be reminded that there's indeed no medal handed out for "most productive" at the end of all this. I'm going for a walk outside and declare that "success" for this day. Thank you!
This part is so wonderful (thank you!!): "I don’t know what the point of existence is, but I doubt that one reaches the end of life only to receive a medal for having succeeded. Having lived, on the other hand, is its own reward."
Echoing other’s sentiments here about this post. It really resonated with me & I wish my younger self would have internalized these words. When you’re a parent of young kids- many days are often “unproductive “ by societal standards- the pressure to “have it all”- is unreasonable pressure. So younger women with or without kids- let’s work to redefine the notion of productivity & success. Love your writing- thank you!
Thank you, Caroline. I loved your writing on COJ and always looked forward to your posts - so your weekly newsletter is a special part of my week. Its like talking to a therapist, who is also your friend. I've been thinking a lot about living a "successful" life lately, so this post really hit home. Thank you!
This question has been coming at me so much lately and it’s ALWAYS grating! Like it’s the wrong question, but society doesn’t know the right one to ask. Because it’s posed as a cerebral question with expectations of a cerebral response, when it can only come from a deeper emotional truth that can’t only be measured in the material. To give an answer feels both inauthentic and constricting, short-sighted and fixed as it’s ever evolving. We’re ever evolving. You synthesized this so well—very Aquarian energy of you:)—and gave much needed language for the ‘why’ behind the rub. Beautiful interpretation of the Chariot in this context and never heard it explained that way before! Do you write your post before or after you draw the card?
Great question. I typically draw the card a few days ahead of time and sit with it for a while to see what comes up. Sometimes I'll prop it on my desk while I'm doing other work so I can really spend time with it. I've never read the Chariot this way before — it's typically been more of the traditional "getting things done, going places, swift movement, meeting deadlines" kind of thing — but that's what I was getting this week. That's one of the things I love most about tarot, how it continues to surprise you.
As for the essay portion, I usually know the theme and overall message of it before I draw the card, but I tend to write them both at the same time. So in a way, it's both before and after!
SO interesting because your essay portion always mirrors the cards theme seamlessly which made me think you drew the card first and then created a story on how it relates to your real life experience. It gets witchy then if you know your essays theme first and then pull a card that then reflects your essays theme! Not to mention how it seamlessly mirrors what we’re all grappling with as individuals (collectively) which is also incredibly accurate. I think you cracked it. This! This is success😂
This New Year's Eve was spent sledding down a small mountain and even though we are in lockdown again, I was outside, sliding down a hill, hat flying off and laughing at the top of my lungs as my 4-year daughter yelled on encouragingly " You can do it mama!" And I thought to myself, "&^%$* It - I'm alive!" I'm alive...must write blog post about this...now I don't have to! LOL. The running is the reward! xx
Another great essay. I especially enjoyed the lines: "Aliveness is where the good stuff lives. The worthwhile, Mary-Oliver-poem stuff" and "We can control what we value." So true.
This was beautiful. I am in the UK so wake up on Monday mornings to your posts in my email and it is the most calming, grounding way to start my day/week. Thank you.
Your newsletter is the only one that I read every week. I can't wait to read them, but I'm sad when they're over because I won't have that "first read" feeling again. Thank you so much for doing what you do-- I'll always be here for it.
Thank you, Lindsay, for these kind words, and for being here, and for letting my writing be a part of your week. I can’t properly express how much it means to me (but it’s a lot).
it strikes me that your definition of success as "the accomplishment of an aim or purpose" puts the emphasis on "accomplishment" rather than "aim." But, as you rightly point out, "success is often posited as a destination." I feel like you might be interested in this much older definition of success, from Samuel Johnson's 1755 Dictionary: "1. The termination of any affair happy or unhappy."
Any affair! Happy *or* unhappy! How topsy turvy is the English language!
& that's not all: while Johnson does admit that usage of the word success is going in the direction of only referring to positive successes ("Success without any epithet is commonly taken for good success"), he also includes an even OLDER definition, which helps us all understand why we are obsessed with watching Succession:
2. Succession. Obsolete.
All the sons of these five brethren reigned
By due success, and all their nephews late,
Even thrice eleven descents, the crown retained.
-- Spenser.
Just in case you're intrigued, the site is pretty fun: https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com
Oh, wow! That site is fun. On my very first try, I discovered that "chicken" means "a word of tenderness." (No idea why I wanted to look up chicken, but it did not disappoint.) I'm going to keep exploring.
If success had retained its older definition, I wonder what society would have replaced it with. Certainly there would still be a vast self-improvement industry dedicated to striving for...something.
Thank you so much for sharing.
What a truly lovely piece of writing (I gave a shout/barked laughter at "Mary-Oliver-poem stuff"). It was also extremely helpful just as I was bemoaning a Nothing-Done Sunday to be reminded that there's indeed no medal handed out for "most productive" at the end of all this. I'm going for a walk outside and declare that "success" for this day. Thank you!
Thank you, Amanda. (And thanks especially for appreciating that line. 😊) I hope you enjoyed your walk, and that you have a lovely rest of the week.
This part is so wonderful (thank you!!): "I don’t know what the point of existence is, but I doubt that one reaches the end of life only to receive a medal for having succeeded. Having lived, on the other hand, is its own reward."
Thank you, Andrea! ❤️
Echoing other’s sentiments here about this post. It really resonated with me & I wish my younger self would have internalized these words. When you’re a parent of young kids- many days are often “unproductive “ by societal standards- the pressure to “have it all”- is unreasonable pressure. So younger women with or without kids- let’s work to redefine the notion of productivity & success. Love your writing- thank you!
Hear, hear! Your comment reminds me of something my mom says, that “having it all” does not mean having it all on the same day. Thank you, Shelley ❤️
Thank you, Caroline. I loved your writing on COJ and always looked forward to your posts - so your weekly newsletter is a special part of my week. Its like talking to a therapist, who is also your friend. I've been thinking a lot about living a "successful" life lately, so this post really hit home. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Leah. That means a lot. ❤️
❤️
This question has been coming at me so much lately and it’s ALWAYS grating! Like it’s the wrong question, but society doesn’t know the right one to ask. Because it’s posed as a cerebral question with expectations of a cerebral response, when it can only come from a deeper emotional truth that can’t only be measured in the material. To give an answer feels both inauthentic and constricting, short-sighted and fixed as it’s ever evolving. We’re ever evolving. You synthesized this so well—very Aquarian energy of you:)—and gave much needed language for the ‘why’ behind the rub. Beautiful interpretation of the Chariot in this context and never heard it explained that way before! Do you write your post before or after you draw the card?
Great question. I typically draw the card a few days ahead of time and sit with it for a while to see what comes up. Sometimes I'll prop it on my desk while I'm doing other work so I can really spend time with it. I've never read the Chariot this way before — it's typically been more of the traditional "getting things done, going places, swift movement, meeting deadlines" kind of thing — but that's what I was getting this week. That's one of the things I love most about tarot, how it continues to surprise you.
As for the essay portion, I usually know the theme and overall message of it before I draw the card, but I tend to write them both at the same time. So in a way, it's both before and after!
SO interesting because your essay portion always mirrors the cards theme seamlessly which made me think you drew the card first and then created a story on how it relates to your real life experience. It gets witchy then if you know your essays theme first and then pull a card that then reflects your essays theme! Not to mention how it seamlessly mirrors what we’re all grappling with as individuals (collectively) which is also incredibly accurate. I think you cracked it. This! This is success😂
This New Year's Eve was spent sledding down a small mountain and even though we are in lockdown again, I was outside, sliding down a hill, hat flying off and laughing at the top of my lungs as my 4-year daughter yelled on encouragingly " You can do it mama!" And I thought to myself, "&^%$* It - I'm alive!" I'm alive...must write blog post about this...now I don't have to! LOL. The running is the reward! xx
I love this! What a wonderful visual. "You can do it mama" is a pretty great mantra, as well. xx
"Aliveness" is a really fantastic mantra. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Another great essay. I especially enjoyed the lines: "Aliveness is where the good stuff lives. The worthwhile, Mary-Oliver-poem stuff" and "We can control what we value." So true.
Thank you. ❤️
This was beautiful. I am in the UK so wake up on Monday mornings to your posts in my email and it is the most calming, grounding way to start my day/week. Thank you.
Thank you, Rebecca. I'm honored to be a part of your week.
I so love your writing. Thank you for sharing with all of us!
Thank you, Emily ❤️
I so enjoy your writing. And don’t worry about the results of the half marathon. Just do your best, enjoy it, and be proud! 🏅
Thank you! I'll try. 😉❤️
This is exactly what I needed to read in this moment in time. Thank you for putting it so beautifully!
I'm so glad to hear that. Thank you, Ayla!
This is wonderful. Keep going. xo
Thank you. ❤️