This is insightful, Shawn. It's something I'll have to sit with for awhile.
Sometimes being made small, being limited, even the destruction of something, is actually a redirection or a refining. There is something essentially good about both creativity and expertise, a fundamental goodness in it that does not include a requirement for fame or acknowledgment. There is beauty created and then widely-seen, and then there is beauty created and invested in just one small place, person, or moment. Both are beautiful. The meaningfulness of it and even the effects of it can be tremendous in either case. And even if the effect is small -- even if it is felt only by yourself -- is it not still part of the awe-inspiring, electric goodness of creation?
I think there may be losses, like loss of a job, where it is possible, in time, to say, "I'm so grateful now, because I wouldn't have this life." There are losses, like the loss of a child, where it's possible to say, "Though given the option between offering you support and having her back, I'd take her back. And yet, I'm grateful that I can offer you support."
I'm a hospital chaplain. Our conversations don't scale. But each matters to the numb one in front of us.
And in half-an-hour, our grandson who never knew his aunt (nor did his mother), will get the full benefit of a grandfather who now delights in being ridiculous for no audience but him.
This is so good, thank you Shawn. I've been thinking along similar lines around my garden, and the cycle of life, death and resurrection that continually happens there. And 'just this' is a mantra that is saving my life right now.
This whole idea is something I've been mulling over a lot since retiring from being a professional ballet dancer and now raising kids. Sometimes it can feel like a "waste," but I've been doing the work of reframing that in my mind. I'm passing on the love of dance and live performance and art to my kids, which feels really important right now (especially in light of sad news like U of Arts closing & declining enrollment in arts schools in general). I just finished I Cheerfully Refuse so these thoughts have been swirling around a lot for me recently.
I really enjoyed this post, and enjoy your Substack. Thank you for sharing yourself here. God bless you in this wonderful new season of your whole and healthy life❤️😏
Beautifully written. This post speaks to where I am in this very moment and I appreciate the encouragement to remember the beauty that will rise from the ashes. Thank you!
This was so beautiful and such a good reminder that nothing beautiful is a waste. I too am a young mum and the reminder that blessing my children with my talents is enough was needed!
This is so timely and lovely, Shawn. Always grateful for your reflections that encourage deeper thought. I wish I could be up there for Ned and Doug’s event at your shop. I hope to stop by and see you and Maile in September. ☺️
You have great insight for a young man( I am 75 y.o.). The losses or diminishments of life are different at my age than yours or the the young tattooed opera singer but I applaud and agree that her talents are not wasted on her baby or anyone in earshot. As I face the many losses/diminishments of old age, I look around and see that many of my generation are keeping a tight grip and very few are letting go, especially of financial and health losses. I Have struggled with it mysef. I have been working on “Total Surrender to Divine Providence” for a while and it seems God is granting me graces. I am seeing my blessings much more clearly and finding that gratitude comes from my heart more these days. I still have the knee-jerk reaction to worry and attempt to “ fix” everyone and everything. ( i was a nurse for 50 years so it comes with the vocation). So what happens when I can’t drive anymore? I would hope that I give it up before I am forced to by an accident ( saw way to many of those in my life). So what happens if I run out of money to cut down a dying oak that might hit a neighbor’s house? ( when I bought my property you couldn’t throw a stone to the nearest neighbor- now contractors build on less than 1/2 acre on all 4 sides of my property) . The lives of my neighbors are more important than dollars- that’s what home equity is for and “you can’t take it with you”. God has given me the blessing of four children with good jobs who aren’t counting on a big inheritance! I have finally made sense out of the Job story and can actually say “ God giveth and taketh away” without a wince. Of course it ain’t over ‘til it’s over, so I continue my daily surrender prayers and as we old Catholic girls say, “ offer up” my losses, sorrows. It is not as hard these days- when I really have the time to count my blessings. May God bless you, your family and The Nook!
Beautiful piece. I love the quote that speaks to the life cycle dynamics of the forest. I appreciate the sentiment that aspects of life can change, die, and/or be reborn in a different expression and still represent health/wholeness. My sense of it is that it does depend in the person feeling it and experiencing the change. Does the new expression feed the soul the way the old one did? I find that many people lose gifts, activities and ways of life that they loved, and that deep down the wound is still open.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to share Shawn. It takes deep commitment to notice our patterns of dwelling in the past or worrying about the future and fighting the present. Letting go and embrace what is, allows peace to enter. Peace lives in the present. In the flow 🙏🏽
I've learned to view a lost love as an invitation to try something new. Other lost love as a saving grace. Lost life as a study in kindness I didn't know I needed.
so many losses. so much more to view anew. thank you for this.
This is insightful, Shawn. It's something I'll have to sit with for awhile.
Sometimes being made small, being limited, even the destruction of something, is actually a redirection or a refining. There is something essentially good about both creativity and expertise, a fundamental goodness in it that does not include a requirement for fame or acknowledgment. There is beauty created and then widely-seen, and then there is beauty created and invested in just one small place, person, or moment. Both are beautiful. The meaningfulness of it and even the effects of it can be tremendous in either case. And even if the effect is small -- even if it is felt only by yourself -- is it not still part of the awe-inspiring, electric goodness of creation?
I think it is, Dixie.
I think there may be losses, like loss of a job, where it is possible, in time, to say, "I'm so grateful now, because I wouldn't have this life." There are losses, like the loss of a child, where it's possible to say, "Though given the option between offering you support and having her back, I'd take her back. And yet, I'm grateful that I can offer you support."
I'm a hospital chaplain. Our conversations don't scale. But each matters to the numb one in front of us.
And in half-an-hour, our grandson who never knew his aunt (nor did his mother), will get the full benefit of a grandfather who now delights in being ridiculous for no audience but him.
Very true, Jon.
This is so good, thank you Shawn. I've been thinking along similar lines around my garden, and the cycle of life, death and resurrection that continually happens there. And 'just this' is a mantra that is saving my life right now.
Just this. That phrase helps me breathe deep.
"Just this" reminds me of Ram Dass's "Ah, so," in response to whatever might be happening. Thanks for bringing it to mind!
This whole idea is something I've been mulling over a lot since retiring from being a professional ballet dancer and now raising kids. Sometimes it can feel like a "waste," but I've been doing the work of reframing that in my mind. I'm passing on the love of dance and live performance and art to my kids, which feels really important right now (especially in light of sad news like U of Arts closing & declining enrollment in arts schools in general). I just finished I Cheerfully Refuse so these thoughts have been swirling around a lot for me recently.
Wow! I'm sure that's been a transition for you, Lauren.
I really enjoyed this post, and enjoy your Substack. Thank you for sharing yourself here. God bless you in this wonderful new season of your whole and healthy life❤️😏
Thanks, Erin.
Beautifully written. This post speaks to where I am in this very moment and I appreciate the encouragement to remember the beauty that will rise from the ashes. Thank you!
Today is a small, quiet, ordinary day for me. Thanks to this, it's also a beautiful day, maybe the most beautiful of days.
Yes, the most beautiful.
This was so beautiful and such a good reminder that nothing beautiful is a waste. I too am a young mum and the reminder that blessing my children with my talents is enough was needed!
Thanks for reading, Kym.
Thanks for this. I needed that reframe.
Thanks for reading, Matt.
This is so timely and lovely, Shawn. Always grateful for your reflections that encourage deeper thought. I wish I could be up there for Ned and Doug’s event at your shop. I hope to stop by and see you and Maile in September. ☺️
It would be great to see you, Kris! We'll be away a lot of September but back for the most part after the 22nd.
You have great insight for a young man( I am 75 y.o.). The losses or diminishments of life are different at my age than yours or the the young tattooed opera singer but I applaud and agree that her talents are not wasted on her baby or anyone in earshot. As I face the many losses/diminishments of old age, I look around and see that many of my generation are keeping a tight grip and very few are letting go, especially of financial and health losses. I Have struggled with it mysef. I have been working on “Total Surrender to Divine Providence” for a while and it seems God is granting me graces. I am seeing my blessings much more clearly and finding that gratitude comes from my heart more these days. I still have the knee-jerk reaction to worry and attempt to “ fix” everyone and everything. ( i was a nurse for 50 years so it comes with the vocation). So what happens when I can’t drive anymore? I would hope that I give it up before I am forced to by an accident ( saw way to many of those in my life). So what happens if I run out of money to cut down a dying oak that might hit a neighbor’s house? ( when I bought my property you couldn’t throw a stone to the nearest neighbor- now contractors build on less than 1/2 acre on all 4 sides of my property) . The lives of my neighbors are more important than dollars- that’s what home equity is for and “you can’t take it with you”. God has given me the blessing of four children with good jobs who aren’t counting on a big inheritance! I have finally made sense out of the Job story and can actually say “ God giveth and taketh away” without a wince. Of course it ain’t over ‘til it’s over, so I continue my daily surrender prayers and as we old Catholic girls say, “ offer up” my losses, sorrows. It is not as hard these days- when I really have the time to count my blessings. May God bless you, your family and The Nook!
Thanks for your words here, Kathleen, and your perspective. Much appreciated.
Beautiful piece. I love the quote that speaks to the life cycle dynamics of the forest. I appreciate the sentiment that aspects of life can change, die, and/or be reborn in a different expression and still represent health/wholeness. My sense of it is that it does depend in the person feeling it and experiencing the change. Does the new expression feed the soul the way the old one did? I find that many people lose gifts, activities and ways of life that they loved, and that deep down the wound is still open.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to share Shawn. It takes deep commitment to notice our patterns of dwelling in the past or worrying about the future and fighting the present. Letting go and embrace what is, allows peace to enter. Peace lives in the present. In the flow 🙏🏽
good stuff, Shawn.
I've learned to view a lost love as an invitation to try something new. Other lost love as a saving grace. Lost life as a study in kindness I didn't know I needed.
so many losses. so much more to view anew. thank you for this.
Thanks, Linda. We're having a lot of fun.