Another illuminating (and what’s the necessary counterpart to that word? Endarkening?) piece Julie. I like to think that the force of love in the universe needs opposites to become manifest. Without light AND darkness, there would be no love. LOVE needs the tension and the activating agents of friction. Jung did a great service to humanity when he brought darkness into the equation, not as something to eradicate but to investigate, and even honor. Have you read Learning to Walk In the Dark by Barbara Taylor? It’s a beautiful investigation of our oft dismissed and misunderstood half.
Reading this makes me aware that I do so favor the light in the course of my days. Perhaps more than I should? I wonder at 65 if I have explored my darkness enough or if there is more darkness that awaits my presence, that needs my presence. Holding this.
As soon as I wrote the above comment, I knew the answer, that there is always more to explore. It's the vehicle for exploring that I am curious about, that I am opening myself up to. What is the next tool, teacher, course, whatever it may be. And there is always writing. Thanks for the reflection, wise one. Love you!
Like your essay, I hope it sparks conversation that leads to us all working together to create light and "use AI for good".
It was your line "I forget to do it." How soon before our children forget they *can* create for themselves? How soon before they forget they can wayfind with the wind, the stars and the paying attention to natural landmarks.
We will forget that we have the ability to control and override.
Unless we choose to do differently.
Thank you for a wonderful start to my day, Julie! (And your water colours are stunning!)
Oh so good to read these thoughts again Julie. Like others in the comments, Jung opened so many avenues of growth to me in his acknowledgement and embrace of our individual and collective darkness, by bringing it into the light. I'm also thinking about how our eyes adjust to the dark and we see more.
I have been both complemented and humbled to have my words from last year incorporated into your new discussion. I have realized in reading my own words what a different mental place I was writing from last Oct-Nov before the LA Fires and inauguration in January. I sound more at peace than I feel now—which is the challenge St Francis speaks to. Thanks again for repeating your wonderful series.
Yes, it’s been interesting for me, to see which of my own words surprise or resonate — and which don’t speak to me much. I had to talk myself into posting one of these (I won’t say which), as I was rather unmoved by it. A year of changes . . .
Another illuminating (and what’s the necessary counterpart to that word? Endarkening?) piece Julie. I like to think that the force of love in the universe needs opposites to become manifest. Without light AND darkness, there would be no love. LOVE needs the tension and the activating agents of friction. Jung did a great service to humanity when he brought darkness into the equation, not as something to eradicate but to investigate, and even honor. Have you read Learning to Walk In the Dark by Barbara Taylor? It’s a beautiful investigation of our oft dismissed and misunderstood half.
I love that idea - that love is activated by the friction of opposites. Wow. Thanks for the book suggestion. I hadn’t heard of it. ⭐️
Gentle reflection on light and darkness and the holistic spaces they inhabit🙏♥️ I love your evocative water colors opening this piece.
Thanks so much, Sharon. Glad you enjoyed this. ⭐️
Reading this makes me aware that I do so favor the light in the course of my days. Perhaps more than I should? I wonder at 65 if I have explored my darkness enough or if there is more darkness that awaits my presence, that needs my presence. Holding this.
My sense is, there's always more to explore. And you needn't go alone. 🥰🕯️
As soon as I wrote the above comment, I knew the answer, that there is always more to explore. It's the vehicle for exploring that I am curious about, that I am opening myself up to. What is the next tool, teacher, course, whatever it may be. And there is always writing. Thanks for the reflection, wise one. Love you!
And . . . dare I say? Dancing. ⭐️
Thank you for the shout-out Julie. It seems really hard to find a balance with the darkness lately, thanks for the reminder.
Truly. and thanks to Ta-Nehesi Coates for just saying it plainly.
He gets to the core.
always
Thanks for this reminder of our control over darkness, Julie. I've restacked your post with a longer reply.
Much appreciated. You really sparked something with your analogy to AI. Wow.
Like your essay, I hope it sparks conversation that leads to us all working together to create light and "use AI for good".
It was your line "I forget to do it." How soon before our children forget they *can* create for themselves? How soon before they forget they can wayfind with the wind, the stars and the paying attention to natural landmarks.
We will forget that we have the ability to control and override.
Unless we choose to do differently.
Thank you for a wonderful start to my day, Julie! (And your water colours are stunning!)
🥰
Oh so good to read these thoughts again Julie. Like others in the comments, Jung opened so many avenues of growth to me in his acknowledgement and embrace of our individual and collective darkness, by bringing it into the light. I'm also thinking about how our eyes adjust to the dark and we see more.
I’m glad you don’t mind being quoted every time! You were active last year in adding such rich insights.
I have been both complemented and humbled to have my words from last year incorporated into your new discussion. I have realized in reading my own words what a different mental place I was writing from last Oct-Nov before the LA Fires and inauguration in January. I sound more at peace than I feel now—which is the challenge St Francis speaks to. Thanks again for repeating your wonderful series.
Yes, it’s been interesting for me, to see which of my own words surprise or resonate — and which don’t speak to me much. I had to talk myself into posting one of these (I won’t say which), as I was rather unmoved by it. A year of changes . . .
Tend, attend to light,
turn lights on as needed, and...
Tend to darkness too.
Beautiful!