Wendy- i’m glad to see you’re writing! I’ve somehow missed your previous posts but will look for them now. I have finally retired and I also self-published my novel last January. So, I hope to spend more time for contemplative writing and experience. Let’s catch up sometime when you’re here!
Wendy, congratulations on six beautiful months! I loved your reflections, especially the shift from measuring growth by numbers to measuring it by finding your voice and your people. That feels like such a healthy foundation for the long journey of writing.
And thank you so much for the generous shoutout. It's meaningful to me to know our paths have crossed here and that my writing has resonated with you. I'm grateful to be part of this growing circle of people exploring the intersections of Earth, community, and spirit together. Looking forward to seeing where your trail leads next. 🌿💚
Wendy, as I read this I feel more kinship with you! “I am passionate about – the earth, community, and spirituality. When I am exploring the intersection of all three, I feel most alive.” That mirrors my purpose statement!
I love your naming the importance of starting with soil and its allowing diversity between Earth and sky.
Your whole struggle about writing on substack sounds like some of the rumbling in my thoughts.
I look forward to your show and tell series if your neighbors are open to that.
I'm glad that you were able to put Judas in the backseat instead of driving your future! It's good to be weaving stories with you.
And this: "Storytelling is a powerful community-building, soul-tending, paradigm-shifting tool. It may never become my primary vocation, but it has become an essential part of my work." Me too! I'm glad that we're in this circle together. And thank you for the shout-out!
🖋️🖋️🖋️ 🖋️🖋️
🐌🐎🐈 🐿️ 🐇 🐝🦋
🌱🌷🌻 🌼🍎
Wendy- i’m glad to see you’re writing! I’ve somehow missed your previous posts but will look for them now. I have finally retired and I also self-published my novel last January. So, I hope to spend more time for contemplative writing and experience. Let’s catch up sometime when you’re here!
I would love to catch up! Congrats on the book and retirement.
Wendy, congratulations on six beautiful months! I loved your reflections, especially the shift from measuring growth by numbers to measuring it by finding your voice and your people. That feels like such a healthy foundation for the long journey of writing.
And thank you so much for the generous shoutout. It's meaningful to me to know our paths have crossed here and that my writing has resonated with you. I'm grateful to be part of this growing circle of people exploring the intersections of Earth, community, and spirit together. Looking forward to seeing where your trail leads next. 🌿💚
Thank you! I am looking forward to learning from others who are blazing this trail. I am very grateful that I am no longer traveling alone.
love it! #keeppracticing xoxox
Wendy, as I read this I feel more kinship with you! “I am passionate about – the earth, community, and spirituality. When I am exploring the intersection of all three, I feel most alive.” That mirrors my purpose statement!
I love your naming the importance of starting with soil and its allowing diversity between Earth and sky.
Your whole struggle about writing on substack sounds like some of the rumbling in my thoughts.
I look forward to your show and tell series if your neighbors are open to that.
Wow! That is some company you have got me keeping Wendy! Sending love and respect!
We feed each other...
we play in band together.
Follow flow’s order?
What you have to say, and in your voice, matters. Ms. Yáñez said so and I believer her for you and for me.
Inspired by Warrior Girl by Carmen Tafolla.
“It doesn’t matter if
I AM a great writer
Or not
Or if the poems I write
Aren’t perfect.
It only matters that they’re in
MY voice.”
I read and wonder
Could she also mean me?
And yet,
And yet…
Children are told
It doesn’t matter,
Just try.
Your voice has a say.
Don’t let perfection get in the way.
People love reading what a child wrote.
Adults, adults are different.
Be perfect.
Just try
But only if you’re funny
Or an expert
Or beautiful
Or have friends who will make you thousands more.
People don’t care to read what any old adult wrote.
“It only matters…[Your] voice.”
Could it be?
Does she also mean me?
I was given my voice.
I showed up with courage.
I tried and failed and cried
And tried.
Then somehow
I had a voice.
And yet,
And yet…
I did my best, but I didn’t know,
Didn’t understand.
I’m sorry
You had to suffer
Because I had to learn.
I don’t want another
Olivia, Justin, Qan, and more.
What right have I to say anything?
Much better to be silent.
Learn.
Let the experts,
The brave,
The foolish
Have their say.
And yet,
And yet…
What happens when I spend a lifetime learning,
Never saying?
What good does that do anyone?
Someone is speaking.
Why can’t it be me?
“It doesn’t matter if…
[The things] I write
Aren’t perfect.”
Could it be?
Does she also mean me?
I took a chance.
I wrote what I meant.
I felt like I did something bad
And also
Powerful.
Honest.
Seen.
Sometimes professors don’t want to read what a student has to say.
And yet,
And yet…
A friend said,
“That’s powerful.
You’re a good writer.”
But they don’t know
All I don’t know.
How scared I am,
Wanting
To not cause harm
While saying what
Can’t stay silent.
(Or maybe they do and don’t care. People can be smart like that.)
A friend said,
“You have something.
Protest and teach.
I want to hear all you have to say.”
And yet,
And yet…
Could Ms. Yáñez also mean me?
“It made me cry
(In all the best ways.)”
“Thanks you for speaking
For the vulnerable.”
“You’re funny.”
(That’s the first time I wasn’t scolded for using humor.)
“It’s about service,
Not perfection.”
Am I a bad person
Because I care
What others think?
Feel more brave
When someone says,
“You can do this”?
Who taught me that friends are suspect,
That good people aren’t supposed to care,
Aren’t supposed to listen to what others say
(except for The Authority, of course)?
Who insisted that responsible, healthy, desirable people
Act out of their own strength,
Not needing the support of friends
(but God’s support is good, as long as God agrees with The Authority)?
“It only matters that they’re in
MY voice.”
Maybe,
Just maybe…
One day
I will make someone
Very, very angry.
I hope -
I know
I’ll cry.
I hope -
I then invite my friends to a party,
Celebrate writing something
Meaningful enough
To be threatening
To those who fear
Living seeing others as themself.
This crazy dream,
Could it be
Service
Overcoming perfection?
Hope
Overcoming fear?
Action
In spite of regret?
Friends
Soothing my wounds?
Could it be?
Maybe,
Just maybe…
Ms. Yáñez
Somehow
Maybe
Just possibly
Also means me?
Thanks for celebrating with me!
I love this:
"Celebrate writing something
Meaningful enough
To be threatening
To those who fear
Living seeing others as themself.
This crazy dream,
Could it be
Service
Overcoming perfection?
Hope
Overcoming fear?
Action
In spite of regret?
Friends
Soothing my wounds?
Could it be?"
I know who to call when I write something that gets me in trouble....hopefully some Good Trouble.
Yes! We'll have a party and tell stories of all the ones who went before us and are now revered for their trouble-making. 😆
I'm glad that you were able to put Judas in the backseat instead of driving your future! It's good to be weaving stories with you.
And this: "Storytelling is a powerful community-building, soul-tending, paradigm-shifting tool. It may never become my primary vocation, but it has become an essential part of my work." Me too! I'm glad that we're in this circle together. And thank you for the shout-out!