OMG, Julie! I mean, OMG! I swear you have just written this directly to ME! (said with tongue in cheek, of course.) I have been experiencing the worst physical/emotional/spiritual challenge of my life (the knee replacement from hell), loaded down with "dis-courage-ment" and despair, feeling as though someone/something had pushed a reset button on my life and not knowing whether that was good or bad, sitting around not knowing which end was up, not able to read anything--other than Leah's gorgeous description of her time in the southwest--and just generally moaning and groaning. All of my strength to face life has always come from my strong body, which for 6 weeks has been entirely absent and seemingly lost forever.
And here you offer your own lovely experience of remembrance and recognition of that in which we are grounded, hearing from the voice of our Mother, to whom we can release our pain and grief.
Every step a prayer, indeed.
With healing tears, I thank you deeply for your words
Oh this makes my heart full, Carrie! It took one whole weekend of magic to shake me awake and I’m determined not to fall into such deep forgetting again (while knowing it’s likely that I will). I’m so glad this spoke to you. I hesitate writing such personal stuff so this is encouraging indeed. Why keep it to myself when it’s meant for all of us? 🥰
I completely agree, and oddly enough, I wasn't sure myself whether I should effuse so much about my experience. Good to know there are others with the same kinds of experiences, though, and thank you for admitting that you "likely" will "fall into such deep forgetting again." I hear that, but at least we've had an awakening that gives us some other resources to call on when those times inevitably arise again. Here's to continuing growth in health and healing! 💕
I did not know you were a runner! GOOD FOR YOU! So happy your heel pain is down. Nature! What a gift. I could totally use some time at Dayspring labyrinth. I think everyone could!
Beautiful story, Julie. Thank you for starting my day off right!
Thanks for being here, Kolina! I'm glad you enjoyed it. BTW, I just finished "I Am Not Sidney Poitier," and have to say, it's not my fave Percival Everett (and I'm a huge fan). Now starting "Flesh," last year's Booker winner. While I admire the spare prose that seems to say much more than its word count, I'm bothered that there's a similar (disturbing and, to my mind, highly rare) scenario as one in the Everett book. Have you read "Flesh" yet? I don't want to spoil it.
How beautiful, Julie! I think you've also written if to me, too. My left Achilles and heel have been hurting like mad, I have a bone spur that I'm getting shock wave treatment on. It came right after my "liberation" from years of constant colitis (i'll spare you the ick) and being housebound and holding myself together, in all senses of the word. I need a physio like yours once the shock waves are over....
But right after I was liberated, I went on a two week thalassotherapy retreat and had a wonderful time, it did my head the utmost good to finally see people and to be able to meet people, especially women my age who were all there for same same but different reasons.
I loved your post, and I'm sending healing vibes. Yes, each step a prayer.
Yes, the mind-body-spirit connection is a wonder. As is solidarity with women. Thanks for your good wishes, Francesca. May you find relief and liberation in your body.
Ah, what a reminder, sounds like a powerful experience! Wishing you a full recovery and healthy return to your practice of offering and prayer through movement. I have been feeling a push to start running (NOT a runner) and your essay is giving me a nudge!
Thanks for being here, Leah. And especially for being in that labyrinth. (I’m guessing you recognized your head in the photo?) Glad you enjoyed this. 💚
Yes - all of it! Seriously, a full moon rising in the exact center of the opening in the field as we were drumming around the fire? How could you possibly expect that miracle?
OMG, Julie! I mean, OMG! I swear you have just written this directly to ME! (said with tongue in cheek, of course.) I have been experiencing the worst physical/emotional/spiritual challenge of my life (the knee replacement from hell), loaded down with "dis-courage-ment" and despair, feeling as though someone/something had pushed a reset button on my life and not knowing whether that was good or bad, sitting around not knowing which end was up, not able to read anything--other than Leah's gorgeous description of her time in the southwest--and just generally moaning and groaning. All of my strength to face life has always come from my strong body, which for 6 weeks has been entirely absent and seemingly lost forever.
And here you offer your own lovely experience of remembrance and recognition of that in which we are grounded, hearing from the voice of our Mother, to whom we can release our pain and grief.
Every step a prayer, indeed.
With healing tears, I thank you deeply for your words
Oh this makes my heart full, Carrie! It took one whole weekend of magic to shake me awake and I’m determined not to fall into such deep forgetting again (while knowing it’s likely that I will). I’m so glad this spoke to you. I hesitate writing such personal stuff so this is encouraging indeed. Why keep it to myself when it’s meant for all of us? 🥰
I completely agree, and oddly enough, I wasn't sure myself whether I should effuse so much about my experience. Good to know there are others with the same kinds of experiences, though, and thank you for admitting that you "likely" will "fall into such deep forgetting again." I hear that, but at least we've had an awakening that gives us some other resources to call on when those times inevitably arise again. Here's to continuing growth in health and healing! 💕
Wishing you further health and healing as your let the earth guide you.
Thank you, Dawn. It’s good to have these reminders once in a while.
Gorgeous writing Julie!
Many thanks, Thorina! 💚
We should FaceTime- would be great to catch up🩷
Let’s!!
Every step a prayer- the most beautiful words in the language. Thank you. Julie!
Thanks for being here, Priya.
I did not know you were a runner! GOOD FOR YOU! So happy your heel pain is down. Nature! What a gift. I could totally use some time at Dayspring labyrinth. I think everyone could!
Beautiful story, Julie. Thank you for starting my day off right!
Thanks for being here, Kolina! I'm glad you enjoyed it. BTW, I just finished "I Am Not Sidney Poitier," and have to say, it's not my fave Percival Everett (and I'm a huge fan). Now starting "Flesh," last year's Booker winner. While I admire the spare prose that seems to say much more than its word count, I'm bothered that there's a similar (disturbing and, to my mind, highly rare) scenario as one in the Everett book. Have you read "Flesh" yet? I don't want to spoil it.
I’ve only read James! Is that a sin?!?! I can’t believe it’s true but it is. Which would you suggest I read next?
The Trees, definitely.
Oh yes!! I got it from the library and had to return it before I got around to reading it. Thanks for putting it back on my radar!
Beautiful epiphany. Beautiful writing! ...and thanks for including the poem!
...and thanks for this :
"The French word for heart, coeur, beats within our word courage, and still I forget that dis-courage-ment is a literal disconnection from my heart."
Thanks for reading, Michael. Glad you enjoyed it.
Ahhhh I love this Julie. And I love you.💜
Awww. Love you back! And the baby Orca. 💙
How incredibly beautiful, Julie! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for reading, Nia. Glad you enjoyed it. ❤️
Gorgeous, Julie, both the writing and the new understanding.
Thanks for being here, Holly. 🧡
And ospreys are truly badass!
Thank you for this, Julie.
Every step a prayer. A lovely and very important thing to keep in mind.
And running - yes! I love it.
Movement to soothe the mind, the joy of feeling my body in fluid motion, troubles becoming flattened beneath my feet.
Because of back problems, I had to stop running for some years. I so missed it. But then I discovered Danny Dreyer’s Chi Running technique.
(I highly recommend it!)
Am now running again and pain free.
So grateful that at my age (69) I still can.
May your healing continue, Julie.
The personal things you have written here are, I think, healing for us all.
Thank you.
Kay, thanks for your generous comments. I’m curious about that running technique. Will check it out.
Thank you for your lovely post, Julie.
For Chi Running technique, if you Google Danny Dreyer, Floris Gierman, you will find interview on YouTube explaining the technique.
There is also a website and a book.
How beautiful, Julie! I think you've also written if to me, too. My left Achilles and heel have been hurting like mad, I have a bone spur that I'm getting shock wave treatment on. It came right after my "liberation" from years of constant colitis (i'll spare you the ick) and being housebound and holding myself together, in all senses of the word. I need a physio like yours once the shock waves are over....
But right after I was liberated, I went on a two week thalassotherapy retreat and had a wonderful time, it did my head the utmost good to finally see people and to be able to meet people, especially women my age who were all there for same same but different reasons.
I loved your post, and I'm sending healing vibes. Yes, each step a prayer.
Francesca xx
Yes, the mind-body-spirit connection is a wonder. As is solidarity with women. Thanks for your good wishes, Francesca. May you find relief and liberation in your body.
Ah, what a reminder, sounds like a powerful experience! Wishing you a full recovery and healthy return to your practice of offering and prayer through movement. I have been feeling a push to start running (NOT a runner) and your essay is giving me a nudge!
Glad you enjoyed it, Stephanie. Thanks for being here. Here’s to getting hooked on running. 🧡
That women's retreat sounds wonderful, and what happened to you in the labyrinth -- magical! Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thanks for being here, Jeanne. It is a special one. Every year, we wish we could do it more often. 🧡
I love this, Julie. Every step a prayer. I'm so glad that you shared this; it's a good reminder and inspiration. May healing continue.
Thanks for being here, Leah. And especially for being in that labyrinth. (I’m guessing you recognized your head in the photo?) Glad you enjoyed this. 💚
HA! I appreciated having my head in your picture.
But much more than that, I loved walking the labyrinth with you and the circle of beautiful women.
It was magical.
Yes - all of it! Seriously, a full moon rising in the exact center of the opening in the field as we were drumming around the fire? How could you possibly expect that miracle?
That was wild
A beautiful mantra, may you step gracefully into recovery
Many thanks, Kate. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 💚