I could almost hear the deep sigh of release. Maybe that amazing sleep allowed you, for just a little while, to let go of all you have been handling; not just the fear of catching the virus, but the worries you carry about parenting, about writing the next piece, about sharing the remarkable women with those of us who cannot wait for your next piece, your next wonder woman. Personally, I want to see what and who you will share next, But.. more than anything you will write or show us, I want you to be so OK! Whatever that means will be perfect. One thing that is rarely mentioned or shared, is how exhausting it is to be a wonder woman, a warrior woman. Even being a mom is exhausting. That one you can't and won't slight, so please take your time with everything else. Your grateful readers will be "here" whenever you have the energy to share more however long that takes. With love and wishes for as much healing as you need. Sarahjane
This is beautiful. I have not fully absorbed that making meaning and interpretation (two things I've prided myself for) are another form of my grasping to control the uncontrollable. This fees like an important learning for me.
I am glad to hear you are all well. I am grateful for the wisdom you are sharing.
I hope you dig deeper into these non-rhetorical questions. There is more there, (I can feel it, too) and -as always, with thanks - you can help stimulate us to more understanding of the fears that are leading us to less healthy and sustaining actions.
Story is so, so powerful. We craft stories to feel safe. We craft stories to reclaim power. We craft stories to make sense of things. Stories, like emotions, are neither good or bad. Stories just are. Some stories are profoundly useful, even if untrue (or not knowably true). Some stories are true and not at all helpful to us. We must take care to craft our stories consciously. Stories sourced from vital energy might make good thrillers, but they leave few choices.
I agree as usual with Parker's wisdom including, from him to CM, a sincere expression of gratitude. Another well worn cliche that again carries some truth is that "its an ill wind that blows no good." In this case, Courtney's suffering through this ordeal has given us profound thoughts and caring insights. The closing sentence, "I want less fear and more love," reminds me of the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. His obit. in the NY Times recently quoted one of these: "If we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything." This is from one of his best books, "Peace is Every Step" (p.43). Hey, John, we're glad that you didn't get it! Stay well. Love as always, DD
Thank you Courtney for again putting words to experiences which for me are hard to "language". The way you write about surrendered sleep reminded me of how little it actually happens these days and how much I crave it. So glad that you and the girls are coming through this journey with an even more nuanced story of their lives. Amazing that John has gotten it. Love you.
there seems to be no end to our desire to do (and be) right. but what about the good? so grateful you were visited by the good sleep and the good grinning friends.
paragraph has me squirming and so I will listen in for where it leads me. Thank you, as always, for being a way-shower to this elder who wants to keep growing up. So very glad you and your dear family are recovering quickly. 💗
You've written so personally for so long that I feel as if I have actually been in your home with you and your family. Thank you. I'm so grateful you are well and the girls bounced back so quickly. When you shared about your dreams it reminded me of Black Elk when he would get very ill. He always brought deep truth back to his tribe after the illness would pass. Your response makes me want to live more fully. Thanks, Courtney!
The thing about brilliant writing is that it evokes a feeling that you have been there before. Familiar in its detail, in its humanity. Thank you for this piece and all of them and for sharing your voice. It brings me hope and also, inspiration.
So much to love about this quietly rich and insightful post, Courtney. It’s well worth keeping and returning to as a reminder when I feel the entanglement of stories…
For me, this is a beautiful and brilliant example of “the wounded healer” in action. Thank you, thank you, my dear friend.
Disentangling story from science--a wonderful (and challenging) idea. What a strange time this winter has been. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I could almost hear the deep sigh of release. Maybe that amazing sleep allowed you, for just a little while, to let go of all you have been handling; not just the fear of catching the virus, but the worries you carry about parenting, about writing the next piece, about sharing the remarkable women with those of us who cannot wait for your next piece, your next wonder woman. Personally, I want to see what and who you will share next, But.. more than anything you will write or show us, I want you to be so OK! Whatever that means will be perfect. One thing that is rarely mentioned or shared, is how exhausting it is to be a wonder woman, a warrior woman. Even being a mom is exhausting. That one you can't and won't slight, so please take your time with everything else. Your grateful readers will be "here" whenever you have the energy to share more however long that takes. With love and wishes for as much healing as you need. Sarahjane
This was interesting to read on same day as the Daily podcast about partisan covid attitudes…
This is beautiful. I have not fully absorbed that making meaning and interpretation (two things I've prided myself for) are another form of my grasping to control the uncontrollable. This fees like an important learning for me.
I am glad to hear you are all well. I am grateful for the wisdom you are sharing.
Less fear and more love. Amen.
I hope you dig deeper into these non-rhetorical questions. There is more there, (I can feel it, too) and -as always, with thanks - you can help stimulate us to more understanding of the fears that are leading us to less healthy and sustaining actions.
very sweet and deep. in Buddhism we talk about these "stories" as a major source of our suffering.
Story is so, so powerful. We craft stories to feel safe. We craft stories to reclaim power. We craft stories to make sense of things. Stories, like emotions, are neither good or bad. Stories just are. Some stories are profoundly useful, even if untrue (or not knowably true). Some stories are true and not at all helpful to us. We must take care to craft our stories consciously. Stories sourced from vital energy might make good thrillers, but they leave few choices.
Thanks for this reflection. In exchange, I offer a story of my own: https://entelechy.substack.com/p/an-instrument-for-transforming?r=17gex3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web.
I agree as usual with Parker's wisdom including, from him to CM, a sincere expression of gratitude. Another well worn cliche that again carries some truth is that "its an ill wind that blows no good." In this case, Courtney's suffering through this ordeal has given us profound thoughts and caring insights. The closing sentence, "I want less fear and more love," reminds me of the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. His obit. in the NY Times recently quoted one of these: "If we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything." This is from one of his best books, "Peace is Every Step" (p.43). Hey, John, we're glad that you didn't get it! Stay well. Love as always, DD
Thank you Courtney for again putting words to experiences which for me are hard to "language". The way you write about surrendered sleep reminded me of how little it actually happens these days and how much I crave it. So glad that you and the girls are coming through this journey with an even more nuanced story of their lives. Amazing that John has gotten it. Love you.
there seems to be no end to our desire to do (and be) right. but what about the good? so grateful you were visited by the good sleep and the good grinning friends.
Your "Making meaning of this pandemic..."
paragraph has me squirming and so I will listen in for where it leads me. Thank you, as always, for being a way-shower to this elder who wants to keep growing up. So very glad you and your dear family are recovering quickly. 💗
Thank you Courtney. So brilliant. Like a sunrise in the desert.
You've written so personally for so long that I feel as if I have actually been in your home with you and your family. Thank you. I'm so grateful you are well and the girls bounced back so quickly. When you shared about your dreams it reminded me of Black Elk when he would get very ill. He always brought deep truth back to his tribe after the illness would pass. Your response makes me want to live more fully. Thanks, Courtney!
The thing about brilliant writing is that it evokes a feeling that you have been there before. Familiar in its detail, in its humanity. Thank you for this piece and all of them and for sharing your voice. It brings me hope and also, inspiration.
So much to love about this quietly rich and insightful post, Courtney. It’s well worth keeping and returning to as a reminder when I feel the entanglement of stories…