Sending to my 2 daughters. Wisdom here. Thank you!
Ps: got my book! I’ve decided to read sequentially and suppress my urge to jump to different essays. Already profoundly moving and thought provoking…. I’m going to sip not gulp… savor 🙏
Profound. I have felt the same way most of my entire life, constantly seeking outside of myself and consulting others rather than heeding my inner voice and calling. I recommended this book for purchase with our Toronto Public Library. Can't wait to read it!
Thank you, Mari. I think most of us are taught that people outside of ourselves have answers we couldn't possibly found on our own. And we end up following advice that leads us further away from the discovery of ourselves.
I want to say something to rejoice and resonate and agree with and proclaim the power of what you have described in your personal, individual path lived that is so embedded with other lives. It just brings me tears to hear your reflection and to know this personal guidance is possible to be followed and the road can be so sweet. The peace of being able to trust the leadership of what leads you ongoing into a place and a way of being as you have expressed and the assurance and confidence that comes with it makes me all the more hopeful and at rest while reflecting on the past and contemplating the future.
I went to my first class of Orthodoxy 101 this week which continues until Lent. In some choices I’ve made, I ignored the voice, the direction, the leading of God. Grace to listen and keep hearing and keep expecting to hear, that I am not alone without help, and that this brings communion with my intended purpose and intended relationships, it’s all so humbling and mind bending. That you write these thoughts out and that I get to read them is a miracle and I’m so thankful for your continual honest expressions, Tara. Your writing this morning leads me into worship more than a song. My pre-ordered book went to MA instead of MT, but I will get it in hand soon!
Thank you for your beautiful comment, Sarah. Who amongst us hasn't ignored the voice and lead of God? How blessed we are for his mercy and compassion. I think this idea we have instilled in us from our culture of being independent and strong and in control of our lives has gone too far. Now it's hard for us to have humility and to surrender.
I think that word, "surrender", has been a prominent one for me over the last decade of my life. To me it's a word indivisible from "faith". How can we truly practice faith without surrender to roads and challenges and changes that we are offered before us? I used to be so strong-headed, grabbing onto something I wanted to make happen even when things around me were clearly showing me it was time to let go. I never want to go back to that place again. It kept me feeling safe, but stuck. I'd rather be in unknown forests exploring new sounds and smells with a sense of awe and uncertainty than be safe in the mundane and familiar. I really think we're here to grow and evolve and that requires something of us every day.
Thank you for this wisdom. A great message for people young and old to not be limited by what other people think you to be capable of.
Sidenote - we have a son who got under the skin of some teachers. They recommended medication. They recommended a special school for kids who were a problem. We said no. He thrived after he left public education. He is now living his dream as a commercial airline pilot, flying a big jet overseas and all around the world. He is very well respected and he has a great life. He thanks us for not allowing those labels which would certainly have changed his course.
Beautiful! How blessed your son was by your decision and devotion! I love stories like this and am heartened to hear his gratitude to. you for refusing the advice of those "experts".
Yes, always "be wary of the ones who try to limit you". They show up in so many different ways.
It's as if I were reading about myself. I am 52 years old, and although I have some aptitude for entrepreneurship and business, it no longer makes sense to me, and I have been stuck in this rut for five years. But actually, I'm not standing still. I take care of the household and garden, and since our first granddaughter was born in August, my dream is to one day have a small farm and live self-sufficiently. Thank you, Taro, for all your sharing and reflections. I apologize for any errors in the text, but I am using a translator.I regret that I do not know English and cannot buy your book.
Well, it translated pretty well. What is your native tongue?
I figure that if things don't resonate with us, we should take that as an answer and move on. I think too many of us spend so much time trying to make things fit when we know in our heart that it really doesn't. Congratulations on your granddaughter! Such a marvellous time!
My native language is Czech. I was born when Czechia and Slovakia were still one country.
Thank you very much, yes, it's time to move on. Thank you for my granddaughter, she is so charming. I preserved some snacks for her for the winter from this year's peach and apple harvest.
I was once again mesmerized by your words and story! And look how far you've come since taking your own trail. I grew up with great parents but they didn't point out the direction I should go, and there was nary a professional college counselor to help me choose a college. Today students study study study for the upcoming SATs. Back in my day, our teacher announced we'd be taking the SATs tomorrow! I was such a late bloomer and changed majors often, unsure of who was me. I finally stumbled onto what I loved in my late 20s--journalism. And I felt lucky.
We have a friend with a son now in his 50s who just found something he loves doing and is good at. He'd always seemed a bit cynical and unhappy with his lot, but now is friendly and smiling and positive--reaching out to others. So thanks for the words that, as usual, got me thinking.
Thank you, Candy. Isn't that something that even in his 50s, he was able to find the thing that brought him joy. I don't believe in "too late". If we're still here, there's still time!
I was a photo-journalist for a year with one of our small, local military papers. It was so much fun. Then, we still printed out the articles and then our editor had big, glass tables that he arranged the articles and pictures on by using a wax roller that stuff everything together and that was sent off to the newspaper printers. Such a technological marvel :)
That's so interesting about your photo-journalism career! I found I loved interviewing people and hearing their stories and featuring them...especially older people. I wrote a humor column for a while, and they usually sent the off-beat stories my way. One guy called and said he'd shaved 1,000 times with the same razor blade...and they yelled, "Candy, line one!" Today I get to write stories for a magazine that features people over 50. I love it, and am naturally nosey...haha.
I read this and my first thought was I have no context for this,, because I don't remember anyone ever telling me to 'figure out what it is I want to do with my life and go for it'. 'Find that one purpose that is yours'
Instead we in our culture were heavily taught to pray seek God and he will show us what to do. Which essentially is the same thing because it still puts the focus on something external and it still leaves one trying to figure out 'what the heck am I supposed to be doing here?'
The big difference I think is that God actually holds the answers but most often he places those within our souls and you still have to be still and quiet enough to hear that and then follow the path one small step at a time. Most of the time, it starts out very slowly and unglamourously.
Another outstanding essay Tara. At 80 now, I may have finally learned what you are saying here. It's never too late.
Oh, I love that! Never too late, indeed. I admire your open heart and mind, Louisa.
Sending to my 2 daughters. Wisdom here. Thank you!
Ps: got my book! I’ve decided to read sequentially and suppress my urge to jump to different essays. Already profoundly moving and thought provoking…. I’m going to sip not gulp… savor 🙏
Thank you, Joe. And thank you for getting my book. I think sips is how it's best appreciated, but who am I to judge the gulpers in the crowd? :)
Profound. I have felt the same way most of my entire life, constantly seeking outside of myself and consulting others rather than heeding my inner voice and calling. I recommended this book for purchase with our Toronto Public Library. Can't wait to read it!
Thank you, Mari. I think most of us are taught that people outside of ourselves have answers we couldn't possibly found on our own. And we end up following advice that leads us further away from the discovery of ourselves.
I want to say something to rejoice and resonate and agree with and proclaim the power of what you have described in your personal, individual path lived that is so embedded with other lives. It just brings me tears to hear your reflection and to know this personal guidance is possible to be followed and the road can be so sweet. The peace of being able to trust the leadership of what leads you ongoing into a place and a way of being as you have expressed and the assurance and confidence that comes with it makes me all the more hopeful and at rest while reflecting on the past and contemplating the future.
I went to my first class of Orthodoxy 101 this week which continues until Lent. In some choices I’ve made, I ignored the voice, the direction, the leading of God. Grace to listen and keep hearing and keep expecting to hear, that I am not alone without help, and that this brings communion with my intended purpose and intended relationships, it’s all so humbling and mind bending. That you write these thoughts out and that I get to read them is a miracle and I’m so thankful for your continual honest expressions, Tara. Your writing this morning leads me into worship more than a song. My pre-ordered book went to MA instead of MT, but I will get it in hand soon!
Thank you for your beautiful comment, Sarah. Who amongst us hasn't ignored the voice and lead of God? How blessed we are for his mercy and compassion. I think this idea we have instilled in us from our culture of being independent and strong and in control of our lives has gone too far. Now it's hard for us to have humility and to surrender.
I think that word, "surrender", has been a prominent one for me over the last decade of my life. To me it's a word indivisible from "faith". How can we truly practice faith without surrender to roads and challenges and changes that we are offered before us? I used to be so strong-headed, grabbing onto something I wanted to make happen even when things around me were clearly showing me it was time to let go. I never want to go back to that place again. It kept me feeling safe, but stuck. I'd rather be in unknown forests exploring new sounds and smells with a sense of awe and uncertainty than be safe in the mundane and familiar. I really think we're here to grow and evolve and that requires something of us every day.
Thank you for this wisdom. A great message for people young and old to not be limited by what other people think you to be capable of.
Sidenote - we have a son who got under the skin of some teachers. They recommended medication. They recommended a special school for kids who were a problem. We said no. He thrived after he left public education. He is now living his dream as a commercial airline pilot, flying a big jet overseas and all around the world. He is very well respected and he has a great life. He thanks us for not allowing those labels which would certainly have changed his course.
Be wary of the ones who try to limit you.
Beautiful! How blessed your son was by your decision and devotion! I love stories like this and am heartened to hear his gratitude to. you for refusing the advice of those "experts".
Yes, always "be wary of the ones who try to limit you". They show up in so many different ways.
It's as if I were reading about myself. I am 52 years old, and although I have some aptitude for entrepreneurship and business, it no longer makes sense to me, and I have been stuck in this rut for five years. But actually, I'm not standing still. I take care of the household and garden, and since our first granddaughter was born in August, my dream is to one day have a small farm and live self-sufficiently. Thank you, Taro, for all your sharing and reflections. I apologize for any errors in the text, but I am using a translator.I regret that I do not know English and cannot buy your book.
Well, it translated pretty well. What is your native tongue?
I figure that if things don't resonate with us, we should take that as an answer and move on. I think too many of us spend so much time trying to make things fit when we know in our heart that it really doesn't. Congratulations on your granddaughter! Such a marvellous time!
My native language is Czech. I was born when Czechia and Slovakia were still one country.
Thank you very much, yes, it's time to move on. Thank you for my granddaughter, she is so charming. I preserved some snacks for her for the winter from this year's peach and apple harvest.
I was once again mesmerized by your words and story! And look how far you've come since taking your own trail. I grew up with great parents but they didn't point out the direction I should go, and there was nary a professional college counselor to help me choose a college. Today students study study study for the upcoming SATs. Back in my day, our teacher announced we'd be taking the SATs tomorrow! I was such a late bloomer and changed majors often, unsure of who was me. I finally stumbled onto what I loved in my late 20s--journalism. And I felt lucky.
We have a friend with a son now in his 50s who just found something he loves doing and is good at. He'd always seemed a bit cynical and unhappy with his lot, but now is friendly and smiling and positive--reaching out to others. So thanks for the words that, as usual, got me thinking.
Thank you, Candy. Isn't that something that even in his 50s, he was able to find the thing that brought him joy. I don't believe in "too late". If we're still here, there's still time!
I was a photo-journalist for a year with one of our small, local military papers. It was so much fun. Then, we still printed out the articles and then our editor had big, glass tables that he arranged the articles and pictures on by using a wax roller that stuff everything together and that was sent off to the newspaper printers. Such a technological marvel :)
What kind of journalist were you?
That's so interesting about your photo-journalism career! I found I loved interviewing people and hearing their stories and featuring them...especially older people. I wrote a humor column for a while, and they usually sent the off-beat stories my way. One guy called and said he'd shaved 1,000 times with the same razor blade...and they yelled, "Candy, line one!" Today I get to write stories for a magazine that features people over 50. I love it, and am naturally nosey...haha.
What divine timing… thank you for this one ☀️
Oh, I'm glad to hear it! Thank you, Tracy.
I read this and my first thought was I have no context for this,, because I don't remember anyone ever telling me to 'figure out what it is I want to do with my life and go for it'. 'Find that one purpose that is yours'
Instead we in our culture were heavily taught to pray seek God and he will show us what to do. Which essentially is the same thing because it still puts the focus on something external and it still leaves one trying to figure out 'what the heck am I supposed to be doing here?'
The big difference I think is that God actually holds the answers but most often he places those within our souls and you still have to be still and quiet enough to hear that and then follow the path one small step at a time. Most of the time, it starts out very slowly and unglamourously.