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karly alexandra's avatar

In this present moment I'm loving candles for fighting winter blues, cold walks for waking up, and lovely words like these (yours) that help me quiet my soul.

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

There's just something about lighting a candle, isn't there?

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Alicia Kwon's avatar

Love that! I love the way beeswax ones specially make the room feel! <3

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Sarah E. Westfall's avatar

It’s wild how these both-and tensions stretch and form us, isn’t it? I hope you and Maile and the crew have the best of times in Kentucky.

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

So true. Thanks, Sarah.

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Sue Likkel's avatar

You know how you're in a newish group of people and you hear or notice something that settles your soul and you think,? ' I've found my tribe'? That is the feeling I experienced while reading this post. Thank you!!

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

I’m really glad to hear that. Thanks, Sue.

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David Todd McCarty's avatar

What a great nugget. Nice chunk of gold. The low battery bat signal. Wonderful.

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Yeah, that image came to mind too.

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Kathleen York's avatar

It is wonderful to know that a young father is enjoying this new season of life. I learned at my mother’s knee and by her example that there is joy in all the seasons. As I edge a bit closer to four score, my sense of smell has diminished , but I still “stop and smell the roses” of this, my great grandmother season .

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Oh, I love that. Beautifully said, Kathleen.

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Alicia Kwon's avatar

Amazing! I offered two women friends hugs today and both were in for it. Hugs make the world better. I always ask first because not everyone wants love in a physical form from a particular person at a particular time.

"All four of them jumped up and ran for the stairwell, because their friend group had made a pact that if anyone was feeling low and needed a hug, if anyone was overwhelmed by school or life, all you have to do is send that image of a low battery to the rest of the group, and everyone will drop whatever they’re doing and meet you in the stairwell and give you a hug."

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Notes from the Dragon's Nest's avatar

In this present moment, I love that the quotes you share in your posts speak to me - especially where I am in my life right now. I love my co-housing community and I am pouring half my life force energy into slowing down time by staying present to my life here while also pouring the other half of my life-force energy into working out where my next home will be (that's it's own story). It's both exciting and terrifying. I love the peepers singing on rainy Spring nights.

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Katie Brewster's avatar

Shawn, Your thoughts and quotes like these of Henri Nouwen's help remind me to be where I am - more present - rather than defaulting to looking backward or forward/living in the past or future. Gratefully,

Katie

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