Another wonderful Sunday morning read! I shared your Sampson essay with more than one person over this past week. Love this one maybe even more.. been thinking about humans and technology and all of this. Here’s to more connection!
Thanks for this, Mary. I share your thoughts and feelings in totum. You expressed it so well. These have been such difficult times for relationships as we have all mentioned before. It's great to find like-minded souls online, a blessing really, but then a feeling of dissatisfaction comes over me because I can't experience it in real-life. Then I feel guilty for not being grateful for what I do have, and it just spirals down from there. And I have extended myself to a couple of other groups with whom I share a spiritual connection, but then inevitably it devolves into political rap, with which I do not agree. I'm trying to work through it, because I know there's a message in there for me since the experience keeps repeating itself.
I know you're right when you say: "I find I’m having to accept parts of people that I disagree with. But so are they. And isn’t that what “love your neighbor” probably really means?" Well, I suppose so. Thanks for the reminder. xox
Something about your "I play peek-a-boo with your infant daughter, whose laugh unlocks the truth" line in your poem struck me as a powerful metaphor of potential beginnings. Just last week I got to play peek-a-boo with a young girl in line at the grocery store. We peek-a-booed numerous times around her Mothers legs eventually she peeked for longer periods of time with sustained peeking and a big smile. I love the part when the child is willing to come out fully and expose themselves. Sometimes this does not happen. My part, an invitation is always the same...I see you!!!
Maybe as Adults we are still playing pee-a-boo. Instead of our Mothers legs to hide behind we have our developed ways of hiding ourselves out in the open, always protected from revealing our true selves. It's more a risk without the safety of Mother's legs to stay hidden. The invitation remains as the catalyst for engagement. As with the Child/Adult pee-a-boo, in Adult/Adult peek-a-boo, someone has to peek out in curiosity in order to begin the exchange. One Adult must have enough curiosity and internal safety to offer the invitation. Curiosity is the invitation! If the peek-a-boo begins the safety must remain in place or else the participants will remain hidden from each other. Hidden may look like "have a nice day", or simply disinterest; remaining hidden behind Mothers legs.
I think in order for either of the Adult Children to commit to coming out behind the metaphorical Mothers legs the curiosity/safety needs to supersede any judgement/disinterest in the field. Curiosity does seem to foster safety.
Maybe peek-a-boo with genuine curiosity applied in politics, nation states, country's...all manor of human interactions might be way to short circuit judgement and othering?
I find for myself that almost universally when I am truly curious, (the invitation), about someone, the response is a relaxing and a move toward. Curious inquiry leads to some sense of safety and reciprocity. Conversely, when I exhibit no interest at all the response is usually also no interest or a moving away. Also, when someone offers curious inquiry aimed at me, I am inclined to move toward.
Anyway... I find your peek-a-boo very compelling. I am going to be doing lots of peek-a-booing. It just might be the perfect vehicle to transcend the polarization malaise that appears to be entrenched everywhere I look. I aspire to perpetual curiosity.
Thank you Mary for all of your offerings, I am always inspired after reading your musings.
I can relate on every level, including your writing style. Most importantly, you illuminate the truth. I have been reassessing my investment of online participation. Does one invest in just getting out there for likes, comments, and basic acknowledgment? Again, this misses the quintessential boat and requires a commitment to an ongoing (ad nauseam) online presence. Or you can throw money at services to promote, promote, promote. --and race to your phone or computer to check your cyber responses. Where do we fit in? Your post shines a light on this.
A fair and vital question for all: what will happen when they pull the plug? Are you prepared on any or most levels?
This is an essential post. I'm grateful to have read it. It is validating when it matters most. I live in a rural area where the trees, furred, feathered, and leafed ones are my community. You have inspired me to continue facilitating workshops and connect in person... I sort of fell away from it this summer.
Even long 'fore the "innertubes" where we found info...an' whod'a thunk friends! gen-u-ine connections! ribbons of support, shared threads... we all perched along the electric wire that powered communications--like birds... connected but at risk. That hasn't changed, even with the advent of the online world...
Vulnerable always we perch-precarious--always at the mercy of the arbitrary flip of that switch that fizzles-- An' yet birds (like us humans) of a feather--flock, cuddle in the cold, an' "commune"--sittin' along the wires... knowin' we're vulnerable, knowin' some will fly away (an' leave behind that connecting wire fer good n' all), while others come an' go, sharin' or not, but there is always the risk, always the "towers" beyond... always the "electrified" thread of connection... that kin break or destroy or bond...
All ya said here is true--we gather along the wire--in spirit together, in person if we can, always (I think) at our peril but then again...all connections impart risk--an' reward...
Sendin' "good vibrations" (higher vibrations n' love yer way Mary) along the flimsy copper wire from here in the NY boonies ta there where ya are in sunny FLA... as we try... in our way.... to be free!
Beautiful, smart and truth-filled. I do hope that man was digesting obligatory pot-luck-salad from Mary herself whilst waxing grateful for the fresh idiots in his life. 💚😉
How on earth did I miss this profound post? And the poem is just simply sublime. I’m so glad I was able to bathe in your love, light and gratitude in real life. It was truly refreshing. And you have a shelter over your head no matter where I live, should you ever come my way. Insta-connection virtually, but an even deeper one face to face. I knew it by your hug. Love you, dear! Your posts truly lift me up. ❤️
Another wonderful Sunday morning read! I shared your Sampson essay with more than one person over this past week. Love this one maybe even more.. been thinking about humans and technology and all of this. Here’s to more connection!
Thanks for this, Mary. I share your thoughts and feelings in totum. You expressed it so well. These have been such difficult times for relationships as we have all mentioned before. It's great to find like-minded souls online, a blessing really, but then a feeling of dissatisfaction comes over me because I can't experience it in real-life. Then I feel guilty for not being grateful for what I do have, and it just spirals down from there. And I have extended myself to a couple of other groups with whom I share a spiritual connection, but then inevitably it devolves into political rap, with which I do not agree. I'm trying to work through it, because I know there's a message in there for me since the experience keeps repeating itself.
I know you're right when you say: "I find I’m having to accept parts of people that I disagree with. But so are they. And isn’t that what “love your neighbor” probably really means?" Well, I suppose so. Thanks for the reminder. xox
Yes and yes!!
Something about your "I play peek-a-boo with your infant daughter, whose laugh unlocks the truth" line in your poem struck me as a powerful metaphor of potential beginnings. Just last week I got to play peek-a-boo with a young girl in line at the grocery store. We peek-a-booed numerous times around her Mothers legs eventually she peeked for longer periods of time with sustained peeking and a big smile. I love the part when the child is willing to come out fully and expose themselves. Sometimes this does not happen. My part, an invitation is always the same...I see you!!!
Maybe as Adults we are still playing pee-a-boo. Instead of our Mothers legs to hide behind we have our developed ways of hiding ourselves out in the open, always protected from revealing our true selves. It's more a risk without the safety of Mother's legs to stay hidden. The invitation remains as the catalyst for engagement. As with the Child/Adult pee-a-boo, in Adult/Adult peek-a-boo, someone has to peek out in curiosity in order to begin the exchange. One Adult must have enough curiosity and internal safety to offer the invitation. Curiosity is the invitation! If the peek-a-boo begins the safety must remain in place or else the participants will remain hidden from each other. Hidden may look like "have a nice day", or simply disinterest; remaining hidden behind Mothers legs.
I think in order for either of the Adult Children to commit to coming out behind the metaphorical Mothers legs the curiosity/safety needs to supersede any judgement/disinterest in the field. Curiosity does seem to foster safety.
Maybe peek-a-boo with genuine curiosity applied in politics, nation states, country's...all manor of human interactions might be way to short circuit judgement and othering?
I find for myself that almost universally when I am truly curious, (the invitation), about someone, the response is a relaxing and a move toward. Curious inquiry leads to some sense of safety and reciprocity. Conversely, when I exhibit no interest at all the response is usually also no interest or a moving away. Also, when someone offers curious inquiry aimed at me, I am inclined to move toward.
Anyway... I find your peek-a-boo very compelling. I am going to be doing lots of peek-a-booing. It just might be the perfect vehicle to transcend the polarization malaise that appears to be entrenched everywhere I look. I aspire to perpetual curiosity.
Thank you Mary for all of your offerings, I am always inspired after reading your musings.
🙏🏼
For me, this is truth.
I can relate on every level, including your writing style. Most importantly, you illuminate the truth. I have been reassessing my investment of online participation. Does one invest in just getting out there for likes, comments, and basic acknowledgment? Again, this misses the quintessential boat and requires a commitment to an ongoing (ad nauseam) online presence. Or you can throw money at services to promote, promote, promote. --and race to your phone or computer to check your cyber responses. Where do we fit in? Your post shines a light on this.
A fair and vital question for all: what will happen when they pull the plug? Are you prepared on any or most levels?
This is an essential post. I'm grateful to have read it. It is validating when it matters most. I live in a rural area where the trees, furred, feathered, and leafed ones are my community. You have inspired me to continue facilitating workshops and connect in person... I sort of fell away from it this summer.
Thank you.
Even long 'fore the "innertubes" where we found info...an' whod'a thunk friends! gen-u-ine connections! ribbons of support, shared threads... we all perched along the electric wire that powered communications--like birds... connected but at risk. That hasn't changed, even with the advent of the online world...
Vulnerable always we perch-precarious--always at the mercy of the arbitrary flip of that switch that fizzles-- An' yet birds (like us humans) of a feather--flock, cuddle in the cold, an' "commune"--sittin' along the wires... knowin' we're vulnerable, knowin' some will fly away (an' leave behind that connecting wire fer good n' all), while others come an' go, sharin' or not, but there is always the risk, always the "towers" beyond... always the "electrified" thread of connection... that kin break or destroy or bond...
All ya said here is true--we gather along the wire--in spirit together, in person if we can, always (I think) at our peril but then again...all connections impart risk--an' reward...
Sing along if ya want with Lenny...
Oh, like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqGArXHDOKY
Sendin' "good vibrations" (higher vibrations n' love yer way Mary) along the flimsy copper wire from here in the NY boonies ta there where ya are in sunny FLA... as we try... in our way.... to be free!
Beautiful, smart and truth-filled. I do hope that man was digesting obligatory pot-luck-salad from Mary herself whilst waxing grateful for the fresh idiots in his life. 💚😉
This "idiot" loves your essay. Powerful food for thought.
How on earth did I miss this profound post? And the poem is just simply sublime. I’m so glad I was able to bathe in your love, light and gratitude in real life. It was truly refreshing. And you have a shelter over your head no matter where I live, should you ever come my way. Insta-connection virtually, but an even deeper one face to face. I knew it by your hug. Love you, dear! Your posts truly lift me up. ❤️
Cheers...I'm very grateful for your presence here Mary!
Just beautiful, though I've become accustomed to that with you, Mary.
This piece is wise, grounded, real and balanced, as is, I suspect the author.
Not to bring myself into it, but it does dovetail with a piece I put out today - must be 'up' in the 'field'.
Very best and thank you for this lovely essay.