-- Yes, Carol, it’s through vulnerability that we discover our strength and capacity for growth. By embracing it, we empower ourselves to live wholeheartedly, facing life’s highs and lows with courage and authenticity. At least, it becomes an honest endeavor. Xo.
Such a beautiful and vulnerable piece, Caroline. We are indeed all just walking each other home, and we do all need to be seen. I see you here in these pages, I've seen you here since we first met on Substack. Keep writing like this. 💞
Exquisite! Thank you for writing this, for the compassionate encouragement it gives, for your fierce and tender love you so generously and courageously give ❤️
OK I have a couple of days to catch up, and Caroline, this post did not disappoint. Togetherness, as a community, has been waning for sometime now, but especially after the pandemic. It is vital that we touch each other. It is lovely that you can touch me with words! As you so beautifully, put it:
“But comfort found in the echoes, this communal choir. Individual voices united in one refrain: to know and be known — it’s the essence of life — that we’re meant to walk together. Or as Ram Dass perfectly penned, “we’re all just walking each other home.”’
Reading your last post and this one, makes me wonder how much of the real I’ve seen in anyone. People are so infinitely unknowable and it’s such a gift to see even a glimpse past their mask. I’m glad you don’t feel alone; your words made me realize I’m not alone either. ❤️
Right? It makes me sad knowing that we all have our guards up. I just started reading a new book on meditations and it says "Our false selves are the identities we cultivate in order to function in society with pride and self-possession; our real selves are a deeply religious mystery...the world cultivates the false self, ignores the real one and therein lies the great irony of human existence: the more we make of ourselves, the less we actually exist."
It's a lot to process. But I'm not alone and neither are you because we're together! Thank you ❤️
“The joyful realization that I am no longer alone in this deeply human ache — I never was. That you too have let the outside rip apart your insides. That our journeys may differ, but we’re all just tending to the same wounds and begging for respite, any remedy for the pain. But knowing that the only worthwhile substance is connection”.
Thank you, it’s the only thing that I can say. I love reading your essays ❤️
“The joyful realization that I am no longer alone in this deeply human ache — I never was.”
I love this so much. The instinct is always to show our strongest face, but the most true form of connection comes from showing our vulnerability. 🤍 Thank you for these beautiful words.
"slow dancing in a burning room" has nothing on this journey of yours ... these posts continue to feel and intuit the path along which joy of discovery. love and empathy are evenly distributed, outposts of the heart fortified against the inevitable pain accompanying the myriad pleasurable moments vulnerability can open us up to you make efficient use of sometimes an opaque language of words
he is recovering nicely thanks....i had them run the gamut of x-rays and the pain pills allowed him to sit and lay down finally and thru it all his appetite NEVER missed a beat ha
his limp now about as serious as woody allen's fake one when he is trying to escape a mugging or fight
My sweet Substack friend (and love), that was beyond brilliant. Moved to tears am I as I read your piece as a repast.
Just this morning, on the way to the gym, I pulled a shoulder muscle (damn!!! my yoga was just getting stronger again!) and after doing the few things I could do, I sat in the lobby to meditate while waiting for my bf. I was not feeling sorry for myself as I know 'this too shall pass (aka heal)' as my dear departed mother used to spout often but I WAS wondering, 'why do we do things, anything, all things?'
It's a huge question, of course. So big I'm going to explore it tomorrow in my own publication! :-)
I love and adore you from afar though in an instant I'm teleported into your heart and being and right there with you, feeling the same things. In so many ways, we are all one. Maybe in EVERY way.
Elisabeth, the tears are flowing over here! I cannot thank you enough for the kindness and support that you show me. You’ve literally helped give me the courage to keep showing up here. You’re always willing to be vulnerable with me.
I cannot wait to see what your writing brings next.
Love this continuation, Caroline. I think people are too hurt, lonely, and reeling from so much to admit that this is the state, individually and collectively. They need probing; they need one who can unite their souls. That person is you,Caroline - besides, no one else appears to want the job, and it is also one that you continue to do very well.
-- Yes, Carol, it’s through vulnerability that we discover our strength and capacity for growth. By embracing it, we empower ourselves to live wholeheartedly, facing life’s highs and lows with courage and authenticity. At least, it becomes an honest endeavor. Xo.
I agree!! Thank you so much for being here 🤍
So beautiful, so brave, so real. So grateful to share this space with you!
Thank you!! So happy to have connected ❤️
Such a beautiful and vulnerable piece, Caroline. We are indeed all just walking each other home, and we do all need to be seen. I see you here in these pages, I've seen you here since we first met on Substack. Keep writing like this. 💞
Thank you, Pamela! It’s such a joy to work alongside you and enjoy your creations.
Thank you!
Congratulations on your creative endeavors ❤️ may the beauty of what you are shine through your work, unceasingly ❤️
Thank you, my friend ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Exquisite! Thank you for writing this, for the compassionate encouragement it gives, for your fierce and tender love you so generously and courageously give ❤️
❤️❤️❤️
OK I have a couple of days to catch up, and Caroline, this post did not disappoint. Togetherness, as a community, has been waning for sometime now, but especially after the pandemic. It is vital that we touch each other. It is lovely that you can touch me with words! As you so beautifully, put it:
“But comfort found in the echoes, this communal choir. Individual voices united in one refrain: to know and be known — it’s the essence of life — that we’re meant to walk together. Or as Ram Dass perfectly penned, “we’re all just walking each other home.”’
Thank you so much Sea!! I so appreciate you showing up for my work. Can’t wait to hear more music 🤍
Reading your last post and this one, makes me wonder how much of the real I’ve seen in anyone. People are so infinitely unknowable and it’s such a gift to see even a glimpse past their mask. I’m glad you don’t feel alone; your words made me realize I’m not alone either. ❤️
Right? It makes me sad knowing that we all have our guards up. I just started reading a new book on meditations and it says "Our false selves are the identities we cultivate in order to function in society with pride and self-possession; our real selves are a deeply religious mystery...the world cultivates the false self, ignores the real one and therein lies the great irony of human existence: the more we make of ourselves, the less we actually exist."
It's a lot to process. But I'm not alone and neither are you because we're together! Thank you ❤️
Awesome.
Thank you.
Your writing reflects, in many respects, multi-shaded life. Both, on the street. And off.
Visible body in invisible pain.
🌝🙏🏻🧘🏻♀️🌌
Thank you so much ❤️🔥❤️🔥
“The joyful realization that I am no longer alone in this deeply human ache — I never was. That you too have let the outside rip apart your insides. That our journeys may differ, but we’re all just tending to the same wounds and begging for respite, any remedy for the pain. But knowing that the only worthwhile substance is connection”.
Thank you, it’s the only thing that I can say. I love reading your essays ❤️
Francine, this fills me with joy. Thank you!! And I’ve been enjoying your Stack too. Keep it up 🤍
Thanks, it means a lot to me!
“The joyful realization that I am no longer alone in this deeply human ache — I never was.”
I love this so much. The instinct is always to show our strongest face, but the most true form of connection comes from showing our vulnerability. 🤍 Thank you for these beautiful words.
Arty!! You are the best! Thank you for showing up again and again 🤍
"slow dancing in a burning room" has nothing on this journey of yours ... these posts continue to feel and intuit the path along which joy of discovery. love and empathy are evenly distributed, outposts of the heart fortified against the inevitable pain accompanying the myriad pleasurable moments vulnerability can open us up to you make efficient use of sometimes an opaque language of words
to shine light on the path for/with others xo
Apple!! Where would I be without you?! A lot lonelier for sure! Thank you, thank you!
More importantly, how is Huron?
he is recovering nicely thanks....i had them run the gamut of x-rays and the pain pills allowed him to sit and lay down finally and thru it all his appetite NEVER missed a beat ha
his limp now about as serious as woody allen's fake one when he is trying to escape a mugging or fight
My sweet Substack friend (and love), that was beyond brilliant. Moved to tears am I as I read your piece as a repast.
Just this morning, on the way to the gym, I pulled a shoulder muscle (damn!!! my yoga was just getting stronger again!) and after doing the few things I could do, I sat in the lobby to meditate while waiting for my bf. I was not feeling sorry for myself as I know 'this too shall pass (aka heal)' as my dear departed mother used to spout often but I WAS wondering, 'why do we do things, anything, all things?'
It's a huge question, of course. So big I'm going to explore it tomorrow in my own publication! :-)
I love and adore you from afar though in an instant I'm teleported into your heart and being and right there with you, feeling the same things. In so many ways, we are all one. Maybe in EVERY way.
Thank you for this!
Elisabeth, the tears are flowing over here! I cannot thank you enough for the kindness and support that you show me. You’ve literally helped give me the courage to keep showing up here. You’re always willing to be vulnerable with me.
I cannot wait to see what your writing brings next.
The adoration is flowing in both directions 🤍
Awwww.
💚
Love this continuation, Caroline. I think people are too hurt, lonely, and reeling from so much to admit that this is the state, individually and collectively. They need probing; they need one who can unite their souls. That person is you,Caroline - besides, no one else appears to want the job, and it is also one that you continue to do very well.
Oh my Patrick, I’m so moved! Thank you for being such a generous and encouraging presence — the strength to keep being honest 🤍
Always welcome, Caroline, and thanks.
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you!!!! 😊